Results from the transport research programme

MARITIME SAFETY

E U R O P E A NC O M M I S S I O N

Information on the wider transport activities of the European Union is also available on the Internet. It can be accessed through the Europa server (http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/energy_transport/index_en.html).

Manuscript completed in August 2001.Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2001ISBN 92-894-1551-7© European Communities, 2001Cover pictures: Eureka SlideReproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.Printed in Belgium.

This brochure was produced by the EXTRA consortium for DG Energy and Transport and represents

the consortium’s views on research relating to maritime safety. These views have not been adopted or in

any way approved by the Commission and should not be relied upon as a statement of the Commission's

or DG Energy and Transport's views.

The European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this brochure,

nor does it accept responsibility for any use made thereof.

Additional information on the transport research programme is available on the Internet.The programme’s Knowledge Centre (http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/extra/home.html) provides:

• structured guides to the results and projects for particular topics;• summaries and final reports of individual projects;• access to project web sites and other contact details.

References to some projects are included in this brochure, to help the reader access further information quickly through the Knowledge Centre.

Frequently used acronyms

FSA Formal Safety Assessment

ISC Integrated Ship Control

ISM International Safety Management [code]

MET Maritime Education and Training

RIS River Information Services

STCW 95 Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers – 1995

VTMIS Vessel Traffic Management and Information Services

VTS Vessel Traffic Services

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aterborne transport is a key playerin worldwide economics and a fundamental tool in the shaping of

global society. More than 70 percent ofthe European Union's external trade and

some 30 percent of the internal trade istoday handled by maritime transport.It certainly represents an alternative tocongested road or delayed rail traffic.

But growth in waterborne traffic has to besupported by more efficient transportchains, linking shipping to its ultimate destinations onshore. In addition,the tendency towards non-EU low cost flagswith far less stringent requirements has ledto growing concerns about ship safety,environmental protection and the decliningemployment opportunities in the industry.

In the 21st century it is clear that the qualityof waterborne operations has to keep upand even improve its record on safety andprotection of the environment1. A continuousdialogue with the maritime industry is needed on voluntary measures to promotesafety, together with the creation of a business environment in which quality-minded operators are rewarded.

The framework for maritime safety research2

has been established through a number ofpolicy communications and legal instruments.In the wake of the Erika accident, theEuropean Commission proposed recently anumber of more detailed actions to improvethe safety of maritime oil transport. Some ofthe measures advocated by the EuropeanCommission for which research plays animportant role are:

• improved identification and monitoring ofall ships approaching and sailing inEuropean waters and ports;

• simplified and harmonised procedures forthe provision and use of information on

hazardous or polluting freight, throughthe use of electronic data interchange(EDI);

• the mandatory use of voyage data recorders(maritime black boxes) and automaticidentification systems to facilitate accidentinvestigation and traffic monitoring andcontrol;

• the establishment of common databasesand methodologies for maritime safetyand accident investigation

Supporting research has concentrated ondeveloping operational and technologicalconcepts capable of meeting the changingneeds of the demand side while enhancingsafety and the protection of the environment.In parallel, networking activities havespread knowledge to interested parties allover Europe and this has facilitated theinnovation process. This brochure highlightssome of the key results in this area.Its purpose is to raise awareness of the information and decision support thatis now available, and to encourage readersto obtain further details through a web-based Knowledge Centre(http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/extra/home.html).

THE NEED FOR RESEARCHIn this brochure, discover how research can contributeto safer waterborne transport operations, and identifytopics worth investigating further on the web.

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MARITIME SAFETY

KEY RESULTSResearch projects have a significant impact on the design and implementation of maritime safety policy.Some of the success stories are highlighted here.

User friendly and safe ship control centres

dvanced Integrated Ship Control(ISC) systems are seen as vital inimproving the competitiveness and

safety of ship operations. Researchand development has been carried out intothe design requirements of ship control

centres, paying special attention to layout,ergonomics and human factors. This hascontributed significantly to the enhanceddesign of ship control centres from boththe safety and the efficiency viewpoint.It has also fostered the establishment of a common European industrial platform in support of an open systems’ architecturefor ships.

Casualty analysis

Improving the consistency and collection ofmaritime accident data has been the target

of a European-wide networking action oncasualty analysis. The network establishedthe basis for a common European approachto the investigation of accidents and incidents.

Vessel Traffic Management andInformation Services (VTMIS)

A research network on Vessel TrafficManagement and Information Services(VTMIS) has established a consensus atEuropean level on the concept of VTMIS.The action identified to what extent thedevelopment of information interchangesand value-added services beyond the well-known Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) is likelyto enhance the safety and efficiency ofwaterborne traffic as well as the protectionof the environment.

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Marine accidents continue to result inheavy loss of life and serious damage tothe environment. One important aspectin the investigation, hence in the prevention of accidents is the identification and analysis of thecausal chain. The installation of maritime

"black boxes" on board ships will greatlyimprove the supply of reliable information.Research in this area has contributedsignificantly not only in developing the concept but also in specifying thetesting standards of such equipment.

Maritime Black Box

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AREAS OF RESEARCH

he main aim of research into waterborne transport has been tohelp policy-makers and to provide

the industry with safe, efficient andcompetitive ways to carry freight and

passengers. In total, 55 research projectsand concerted actions were commissioned,with a total EU contribution of 50 millionEuro. The research actions were divided intofive clusters:• development of logistic concepts

and systems;• introduction of innovative designs,

technologies and working practices forsafer ship operations;

• development of efficient traffic managementsystems for sea and river operations;

• education, human factors and improvementsto the working environment; and

• reduction in environmental risks and the promotion of environmentally friendlyoperations.

Safer and more efficient shipping operationshave been a constant issue in waterbornetransport research. This has been addressedpro-actively by elaborating concepts andtools based on risk analysis, formal safetyassessment and accident investigation;proposing and demonstrating conceptsand standards in areas such as IntegratedShip Control; developing an enhancedapproach to coastal traffic management andship monitoring; as well as conductingextensive research on the human elementas an essential factor in maritime safety.

The research results are progressively providing stakeholders with a greatlyimproved basis for decision-making, in particular contributing to policy developmentand implementation in four main areas:

Integrated ship controlDeveloping a standard and recommendationson layout for future ship bridges, tacticalinformation displays and more user-friendlyworking environments, based on an openand interoperable architecture.

Safety in ship operations andenvironmental protectionAssessing safety risks related to operationalshortcomings, human failure, vessel designdeficits and the transport of dangerous cargo.

The human element in safetyAddressing the need for harmonised education of seafarers, common curricula,the optimum use of simulators and modern training tools.

Enhanced information servicesPromoting interconnected and interoperablevessel traffic management and informationservices that will help to establish a competitive waterborne transport infrastructure.

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INTEGRATED SHIP CONTROL

User-friendly and safe ship control centres 3

A conceptual standard has been produced for the design of ship controlcentres, based on an open architecture.This includes recommendations on thelayout of future ship bridges, human-machine interface considerations, anda so-called "tactical display" combining

sea and weather routing and anti-collisioninformation tools. This conceptual standard has been subjected to cost-benefit and safety analyses, including a risk assessment for collision and fireignition scenarios. The ISC (IntegratedShip Control) concept has been evaluated and confirmed against specific considerations of interoperability.

The Maritime Black Box 4

Based on an inventory of internationalaccident statistics, contributory factors,and the performance requirements forvoyage data recorders, the concept of a Maritime Black Box has been defined.The modular black box concept encompasses:

� a recording unit,

� an accident parameter acquisitionunit, and

� land-based evaluation software forthe recovery and interpretation ofrecorded data.

The system has been tested and validatedin a dedicated research project. Its performance in meeting the specificationswas confirmed through scenario-basedsimulations and laboratory tests. Sea trials on a medium-size passenger linerhave further underlined the operationalsuitability and robustness of the prototype. The results obtained in thetests and sea trials strongly contributedto the definition of testing standards forthese devices.

In addition a legal framework for the implementation of the concept waselaborated, including the analysis ofunresolved questions such as certificationand periodic inspection.

esearch has contributed significantly to the enhanced designof ship control centres in terms of

both safety and efficiency, while

paying special attention to the integrationof information, ergonomics and human factors.

As mentioned previously, the transportresearch programme has played an importantrole in developing the concept of maritime

"black boxes" for recording data on boardships, and in particular in the specificationand testing of such devices.

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Research has also established a commonEuropean approach in support of an open

architecture for complete ship systems.

Research showed that the design anduse of an Integrated Ship Control (ISC)system cannot be separated from thespecification, design, construction andoperation of the entire ship. The ISC system needs to be customised for eachspecific type and size of vessel, as well asfor typical operational tasks. Hence itsdesign needs to start very early in theoverall ship design process, as it willdefine the global information system’sarchitecture.

The foundation has been laid for a single,open European standard for IntegratedShip Control. This concept – anticipatedto be later adopted world-wide –encompasses marine automation hardware, advanced software andhuman factor issues associated withmaritime transport. It follows a user-centred design approach towards thecommand and control of vessels, andintegrates comprehensive requirementsfor the validation of Ship Control Centrelayout and functions. It needs to bestressed that ISC will define and reflectthe information strategy for human operators.

The long-term prospects for introducingthe ISC standard at European and international levels have been assessed.In particular, the commercial viability ofthe concept, its benefits to the shippingindustry and its technical feasibility havebeen demonstrated. Most importantly,spin-off effects from the implementationof ISC have been confirmed, in that the system provides the required infrastructure for additional technologicalaid to ship operations such as the maritime black box or cargo trackingand tracing applications.

Implementing a European standard for ship control systems 5

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SAFETY IN SHIP OPERATIONSAND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

A coherent approach towards a harmonised methodology for theinvestigation of incidents and accidents,as well as general safety and risk considerations, have been elaborated in two research activities.

A networking activity has assessed currentworking practices and methodologiesfor accident investigation. These arecommonly based on the creation of self-standing accident and incident databases.

Best practice examples of methodologiesfor accident investigation were identifiedand synthesised into a set of guidelines,comparing the opinions of experts fromaround Europe. In addition, best practiceexamples of training for accident investigators were collected.

Subsequently, a framework was developedto adopt the principles of the confidentialhazardous incident reporting scheme –CHIRP – applied in the aviation sectorfor the investigation of maritime incidents. This includes guideline documents addressing the requirementsfor accident data gathering and obtainingvessel and traffic statistics.

In parallel, an improved accident investigation methodology has beendeveloped, building on lessons fromprevious investigations, and in particularemphasising the human and organisational errors. A methodology foraccident recording and analysis was formulated, as well as a structure forencoding information in a database.The new approach was tested on a setof typical accident scenarios and real-life cases, and evaluated by cost-benefit analysis.

Casualty analysis 6

chemes for analysing common accidents and incidents in maritimeoperations have been lacking

adequate attention to human andorganisational errors. Hence research hasdeveloped methodologies for unbiaseddata compilation and assessment with the aim of a better integration of humanfactors into accident investigations.

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The promotion of a safety culture based ona pro-active approach is considered essentialto improve safety in maritime transport.This approach has been pursued through

the adoption of the International SafetyManagement (ISM) code and the use ofsafety assessment techniques in the development of new rules and regulations.

Formal Safety andEnvironmental Assessment (FSA)7

A networking action was initiated toestablish a common knowledge ofmethods for assessing the safety andenvironmental impacts of ships, and ashared understanding of how to applythe different methods.The action focusedon the following areas:

� data availability and suggestions for an accident/incident reportingscheme;

� the integration of human and organisational factors in safety andenvironmental assessment methods;

� the regulatory requirements andtechniques for rule-making; and

� factors related to the environmentalsensitivity of marine areas.

The work showed that a commonapproach to safety and environmentalassessment requires further refinement,

in particular in the areas of risk acceptance criteria, risk managementand communication, organisationalchanges, human factors and databases.

Extensive international efforts have beenmade to improve the safety of ship operations and prevent maritime pollution.Research has supported these effortsthrough applying formal safety assessment

for selected cases of dangerous cargotransport, hence improving the knowledgebase to help prevent future operational andaccidental pollution.

Applying Formal SafetyAssessment and preventingenvironmental damage 8

A set of case studies on the transportation of dangerous goods ledto the following results:� an elaborated safety assessment

philosophy which makes it possible toconsider individual ships and theirinstallations when developing tailoredsafety management systems, in accordance with the ISM Code;

� lessons from the "Amoco Cadiz" crudeoil tanker accident,

the transport of liquefied petroleumgas in the Mediterranean Sea, and the shipment of containers in the North Sea;

� a safety assessment for these threecase studies;

� a model for quantitative risk evaluation for the transport of dangerous goods in the categoriescrude oil, liquefied petroleum gas andcontainer service; and

� recommendations for the use of safety assessment in generating riskcontrol measures.

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The assessment of the levels of risk ofmaritime accidents in busy coastalwaters, like the North Sea, as well as the identification of adequate controloptions, have been addressed extensively. Based on the evaluation ofhistorical accident data, a MarineAccident Risk Calculation System(MARCS) was developed that enablesthe quantification of risk levels for specificmaritime operations and the effect ofrisk control measures. A set of specificrisk models is now available that coveraspects ranging from communicationwith Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), shipmanoeuvring capabilities and navigationalaids, to human and organisational factors,such as training schemes for crews.

Subsequent work used these riskmodels to improve bridge and shipcommunications and data interpretation,and provided:� a review of problems with maritime

communication and informationexchange;

� a structured hazard identification process for the evaluation of riskcontrol measures;

� test runs with maritime simulators toassess risk control measures, leadingto improved training schemes forcrew members; and

� fault tree models for assessing the effectiveness of risk control measures and quantifying relatedimplementation costs.

Risk assessment 9

The majority of shipping accidents andrelated environmental damage can be attributed to operational procedures andhuman factors. Safety regulations are notalways addressing all risks of maritime

operations. To improve this situation,maritime policies, rules and regulationshave to be reconsidered in order to ensurea uniform safety level.

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he European maritime industry isfacing various difficulties.The reduction in European flagged

tonnage has reduced career opportunities in the industry, consequently

recruitment has been difficult and insufficientto meet industry needs. There has beenstrong price competition leading to anemphasis on cost reduction, which puts atrisk current efforts to improve safety, qualityand environmental performance.

New technologies such as advanced information systems could radically changeoperations and improve safety and efficiency,while creating a need for changes in management in a sector that is stronglyinfluenced by tradition. Research has identified new ways of working that address these problem areas.

THE HUMAN ELEMENT IN SAFETY

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Research efforts have addressed management aspects and better interaction on board vessels.Among the outputs have been:� the specification of advanced

management tools for specific typesof vessels;

� the development of guidelines for thecreation of effective procedures foruse on board as well as by the shore-based organisation;

� the definition of practical tools for theshipping industry to facilitate theimplementation of the ISM Code;

� the definition of practical handbooksproviding guidance on managingmulti-cultural and small ship crews;

� specific training on human behaviourin emergency situations.

Based on a survey of over 950 membersof the Baltic and International MaritimeCouncil, representing prominent worldshipping companies, it was recommen-ded that shipping companies should:� improve processes for operating ships

and managing business operations;� improve risk management

procedures;� enhance the use of information

systems, particularly web-based applications and systems to helpimplement the ISM Code; and

� improve training systems and actionsto increase staff recruitment.

The defined educational framework –establishing syllabi for courses in themanagement of change in the shippingindustry – has increased the ability toadapt to new technologies, managementconcepts and regulations. Anticipatedoverall cost savings of these new structures in seaboard managementwere estimated to be up to 25%, due to reduced manpower and the use ofinformation technology.

Future efforts in integrated ship designand management could improve working conditions on-board ships ifthe influence of human behaviour isconsidered at an early stage. Noise,vibration, climate and severe motionscan significantly interfere with work efficiency and well-being. A bettercontrol of these factors should thereforemarkedly improve task performance atsea, hence improving safety and efficiency. For this purpose, highly innovative design tools have been developed that replicate both humanbehaviour and the impact of shipdesign on human performance.

Management, organisation and working environment 10

Training of ship crews can be done reliablyfor certain situations using ship or shipbridge simulators. Research has identifieda wide variety of existing systems acrossEurope, covering both full mission andcomponent task types, with differing features. Moreover, foreseen future developments, simulator availability andsuitability for training are not always in line with training objectives based onthe Standards of Training, Certificationand Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 95).

Therefore, one research project hasdeveloped training scenarios, with particular attention to human factors.Specific topics include simulator-training

exercises, addressing STCW 95 and othertraining objectives (e.g. for high-speedvessels), management aspects, and the introduction of advanced tacticalbridge displays. A comprehensive catalogue of scenarios is available as a database, covering a range of trainingobjectives, function levels and definedcompetencies.

The sociological and linguistic origins ofconstraints on ship crew performancehave also been investigated. Examples of incidents and accidents related to communication problems in open seasor under pilotage indicate the need toconsider language and cultural issues inthe recruitment and training of ship crews.

Maritime Education and Training (MET) 11

Around 70% of maritime accidents are causedby human error and related organisationalprocedures. Strong competition and highsocial costs have led to the situation wheremerchant ships are frequently manned byless expensive crews, often with limitededucation and training. In addition, adverseworking conditions on board vessels canreduce human performance, hence efficiencyand safety.

A comprehensive approach to the humanelement is essential for safe ship operations.The declining number of well-qualified EUseafarers is recognised as a problem,particularly in terms of the loss of knowledgeto the maritime industry as a whole.This needs to be tackled by increasing jobattractiveness.

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Educational and training requirementsfor basic and maritime English have been analysed. This led to recommendations on how to integratemodern tools of training, such as videosand computer-based training, and provided the outline of a pilot syllabusfor the teaching of maritime English,based on the latest international rulesand standards.

A networking activity on MET focusedon the harmonisation of European systems, providing the basis for thedevelopment of a common Europeanapproach to the implementation ofinternational regulations such as theStandards of Training, Certification andWatchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 95)and the International SafetyManagement (ISM) code. This workaddressed in particular the problem ofthe shortage of qualified seafarers,which affects the quality and safety ofmaritime transport in Europe, throughan improved, more harmonised andapplicable MET. This activity highlightedthe following aspects:� to improve economic efficiency and

competitiveness, it is recommendedto concentrate and focus the resourcesof MET institutions for all kinds ofmarine operations;

� to foster mobility of seafarers, themutual recognition of certificates and(national) regulations is desirable;

� better awareness of technologicalprogress, with information technologybeing a driving force in shipping,should be raised in MET programmes;

� to attract young people to seafaring,joint efforts are required building onpromising national approaches;

� advanced simulators should be intensively used in MET schemes, inorder to foster cost-effectiveness;

� the transition from ship to shoreshould be encouraged through anenrichment of MET programmes witha view to ensuring a career pathway.

Maritime Education and Training (MET) 11 (continued)

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ENHANCEDINFORMATION SERVICES

raditional Vessel Traffic Services(VTS) focus on the management ofwaterborne traffic in order to improve

navigation and safety. InnovativeVessel Traffic Management and

Information Services (VTMIS) aim to providereal-time information and services in order

to maximise the efficiency of waterbornetransport, while again supporting safetyand environmental objectives. In particular,the VTMIS concept enables the integrationof traffic and transport management, i.e.the provision of information on traffic, cargoflows and environmental conditions.

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The transport research programme hasmade extensive efforts in the area ofVTS and VTMIS to develop improvedsystems for safe and efficient trafficcontrol and monitoring along theEuropean coastline.

The connection and interoperability ofdifferent existing information systemshas been demonstrated at a number of test sites in order to establish the procedures and functionalities for afuture European-wide VTMIS network.A number of value-added services were introduced by integrating existing andemerging technologies – such asElectronic Chart and Display InformationServices and Automatic IdentificationSystems as well as Internet-based

information tools – and by interlinkingVT(MI)S and other related services inlocal, regional and European networks.

Effective shore-based management ofwaterborne traffic requires Vessel TrafficServices (VTS) and Vessel TrafficManagement and Information Services(VTMIS) to be sited in optimal locations.Therefore a mobile VTS has been developed for on-site measurement oftraffic conditions, in particular flow anddensity, enabling the comparison ofdata between different areas as well asthe collection of traffic statistics.An important achievement was the successful testing of a communicationstandard that enables the exchange oftraffic and environmental data betweenVTS centres and systems using differenttechnologies.

A networking activity allowed MemberStates and the research community toestablish a common view and betterunderstanding of what VTMIS can offer.The expected benefits of VTMIS relativeto VTS were evaluated in terms of safety, efficiency and protection of the environment.

Vessel traffic management and information services (VTMIS) 12

In inland and short sea shipping,the use of information and communication technologies is dramatically increasing and may help toprovide a competitive edge over road

transport.To ensure interoperability and inanticipation of intelligent waterbornetransport corridors being established (e.g.connecting the North Sea with the BlackSea), research efforts in the area of inland

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navigation have sought to apply the sameprinciples, technologies and standards asfor maritime transport. In the area of trafficmanagement, this approach has led to theconcept of River Information Services (RIS)being developed. In parallel, the aim is

to achieve full interoperability of differenton-board solutions which are tailor-madefor a given part of the transport chain, e.g.to have the same information displayed in high-seas, coastal zones, ports and inland waterways.

River Information Services form the trafficmanagement concept for inland navigation in Europe. RIS will provideharmonised information services to support traffic and transport management. The concept was initiallydeveloped bottom-up and as a public-private partnership between publicauthorities, the transport and IT industriesand the research community. Importantconceptual elements of RIS – onboardtraffic images, fairway information,strategic and logistic information – havebeen developed and tested at a numberof European test sites. The RIS conceptbuilds on agreed European standardsfor data and communication which arebased on maritime standards adoptedby the IMO (International MaritimeOrganisation), e.g. for Inland ECDIS(Electronic Chart Display andInformation System) and AIS (AutomaticIdentification Systems).

An integrated architecture has been elaborated for information, navigationand communication systems on-boardvessels. This allows the functional definition of information flows,distinguishing between tactical and

strategic traffic images at the user level.In addition, the technological side of RIShas been assessed, focusing on sensorrequirements for inland water naviga-tion and the available technologies,such as differential GPS, radar, headingand sensor platform instruments.Training and certification requirementsfor skippers were also considered, leadingto recommendations for the future education and training of personnel on-board inland water vessels.

River Information Services (RIS) 13

he transport research programmehas shown that the problems facingmaritime transport need to be

addressed through a pro-activeapproach to quality and safety encompassing

safety standards, the human factor as wellas operational and organisational practices.Most prominently, the rapid implementationof safety features, such as the mandatory useof voyage data recorders, has to be pursuedin further initiatives and backed up byresearch, demonstration and evaluation trials.

The current research programme concentratesresources in larger projects, in order to obtainthe critical mass for full-scale validation oftechnologies and to smooth the effectivetransfer of research results into real-lifeapplication. The research tools to achievethese objectives are mainly demonstrationprojects and thematic networks.

The strategy towards achieving better safety standards in maritime operations is

based on five broad themes:

• ensuring the application of internationalregulations, within the framework of portstate control, to detect sub-standard vesselsand prevent them from sailing in Europeanwaters and calling at European ports;

• guarding against human error by improvedcrew awareness, education and training;

• making passenger ships safer by improvingsafety standards;

• protecting waters from pollution by shipscarrying dangerous or polluting goods toor from EU ports;

• ensuring the safe flow of traffic by developing VTMIS systems and implementinga monitoring and control system.

Quality in shipping is often related to bettersafety at sea and much activity is focusedon eliminating sub-standard operations inall areas. One goal is the application of highquality management concepts by Europeanwaterborne operators.

CURRENT DEVELOPMENTSIN TRANSPORT RESEARCHThis section identifies current research projects in the maritime transport sector addressing safety issues.Further details are available from the Links section of the web-based Knowledge Centre.

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A thematic network on maritime education and training (MET) and the mobility of seafarers is pursuing the harmonisation of MET schemesacross Europe – also with a view toenlargement of the EU. The aim is toimprove the quality of maritime educationand training and to co-ordinate the contents of MET schemes for shipofficers in the European Union in orderto increase their mobility. The workaddresses industry and governmentconcerns over the scarcity of ship officersin EU countries.

In particular, the thematic network willprovide a harmonised approach to thedesign of improved and more widelyapplicable syllabi for MET students andspecialised courses for students and lecturers alike. It will evaluate the fundingof MET, support the mutual recognitionof certificates, and identify ways ofincreasing job attractiveness for ship officers.

Maritime education 15

Other thematic networks are continuingthe work in the areas of maritime education

and training, safety, environmental protection and traffic management.

A thematic network is promoting thedevelopment of high-quality shippingoperations and bringing together allrelevant actors in the transport chain.The aim is to achieve a common understanding of how to combine the industrial concept of total logisticsquality with the European desire forimproved safety at sea. The thematicnetwork will respond to initiatives suchas Short Sea Shipping by consideringthe ways in which these initiatives canbe assisted by improved technologyand high-quality services within anattractive commercial framework. Theultimate outcome will be a frameworkthat covers all major aspects of qualitysystems, such as human, procedural andequipment supply, communication, ITsystems, maintenance and survey.

Quality of maritime transport operations 14©

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A thematic network is working to reacha common understanding of theconcepts of Vessel Traffic Management

and Information Services (VTMIS) andRiver Information Services (RIS).The primary objective is to identify the conditions for the effective promotion and implementation of theseservices in the near term.More specifically, the benefits of thenew information services to users andoperators will be evaluated, and schemeswill be determined to pave the way for the participation of e.g.private/public partnerships in the implementation stage.

Towards the actual implementation of VTMIS and RIS 17

Safety assessment in waterbornetransport is addressed in another majorthematic network. This aims to improvesafety and environmental protection inshipping through the development of apro-active safety culture. The work willestablish a common knowledge base anda comprehensive framework for safetyassessment and safety management inwaterborne transport. It will investigatehow best to provide reliable and com-parable data for safety assessment, andevaluate the feasibility of a Europeaninformation system for safety assessment.In addition, it will analyse how to implement methods for collecting riskdata, such as accident and incidentreporting and the deployment of voyagedata recorders ("maritime black box").Based on this, the network should identify how a common and harmonisedaccident and incident investigationmethodology can be developed at aEuropean level.The network builds on the conclusionsand recommendations from previousEuropean Commission projects on formal safety assessment and casualtyanalysis.

Safety and environmental protection 16

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References

Further information on the following projects can be obtained from the web-based Knowledge Centre.

Other key documents referenced in the brochure are available on the DG Energy and Transport website (http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/energy_transport/index_en.html).

1. White Paper "European transport policy for 2010: time to decide", COM(2001)370

2.The transport research programme is part of the fourth framework programme for Community activities in the field

of research, technological development and demonstration for the period 1994 to 1998

3. ATOMOS II project

4. MBB project

5. DISC and DISC II projects

6. BERTRANC and CASMET projects

7. FSEA project

8. SEALOC project

9. SAFECO and SAFECO II projects

10. MASIS II, MASSOP and REWORD projects

11. MARCOM, MASSTER and METHAR projects

12. MOVIT and VTMIS-NET projects

13. INCARNATION and RINAC projects

14. ADVANCES network

15. METNET network

16. THEMES network

17. WATERMAN-TS network

The following documents may serve as valuable background information:

• Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the safety of the seaborne oil

trade, COM (2000) 142 final

• Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on a second set of Community

measures on maritime safety following the sinking of the oil tanker Erika, COM(2000) 802, final

• Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the training and recruitment of

seafarers, COM (2001) 188 final

The programme’s Knowledge Centre is available at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/extra/home.html

It provides:• structured guides to the results and projects for particular topics;• summaries and final reports of individual projects;• access to project web sites and other contact details.

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Brochures on results from the transport research programme

are available for:

1. Sustainable mobility

2. Clean urban transport

3. European transport networks

4. Single European sky

5. Maritime safety

6. Freight intermodality

7. Getting prices right

8. Road safety

9. Intelligent transport systems

KO-39-01-546-EN

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