Consideration to Cost Implications in Maritime Communication

The 103^rd session of the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization, held remotely, gave consideration to the cost implications for service providers within the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) on May 11 2021.

Some officials from the Maritime Administration and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea participated in the meeting.

The recent addition of recognized mobile satellite services (RMSS) within GMDSS results in increasing costs burdened on MSI and SAR information service providers. Some views are heard that the costs should be shared among the entities concerned including ships.

In this context, various options were suggested in the meeting. The delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea stated that there is no need to introduce a new cost sharing system which will lead to additional burden on shipping since the application of new features to both RMSSs could achieve savings close to 50% of their legacy charges for MSI in the long run. Some international organizations and developing countries shared this view.

The Chair organized and instructed an intersessional correspondence group to further consider the options to address cost implications related to multiple GMDSS mobile satellite services and report thereof to the 105^th session of the Committee.