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Better Maritime Transport in the Baltic Sea Thanks to EU Co-funded Project

Published Jun 15, 2011 5:05 PM by The Maritime Executive

The “MonaLisa” project, an action in the Baltic Sea region aimed at improving the quality of maritime transport, will benefit from €11.23 million in EU contribution from the 2010 TEN-T Multi-Annual Call. The project, which forms part of TEN-T Priority Project 21 “Motorways of the Sea”, will run until 2013 and includes the participation of three Member States (Denmark, Finland and Sweden).

The “MonaLisa” project aims at improving quality of maritime transport, safety at sea, exchange of maritime data and facilitation of environmental performance of shipping and implementation of e-Maritime relevant applications. Although three Member States – Denmark, Finland and Sweden – are currently participating in the project, more will be able to join once the project is underway. “MonaLisa” complies fully with the strategy for the Baltic Sea region and will also play a part in supporting European Motorways of the Sea activities.

It will achieve these objectives through studies aimed at delivering the following results:

• A new methodology in maritime route planning, similar to air navigation. The related activity aims to define, develop and test a model in route planning based on existing Electronic Nautical Charts and Automatic Identification System.

• A new pilot system of automated verification of ship crew certificates. A concept model for an automatic verification system monitoring officer’s certificates and time on watch will be designed.

• Re-surveys of Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) fairways in the Baltic Sea leading to harmonised distribution of survey data and water level information. Re-survey of HELCOM fairways and Baltic Sea port areas will be carried out with modern quality methods to ensure correct depth presented in existing sea charts and improve safe navigation for large vessels.

• A pilot system for sharing maritime data at a global scale. The related activity aims to develop and test a functional demonstrator system with the final objective to extend the sharing of maritime information to a global scale as well as expanding the scope of maritime information shared between maritime authorities in accordance with their needs.