The Share of Data in Maritime Communications is Increasing

Communication is of great importance for the safe and delay-free navigation of ships. Especially life/property safety, navigational warnings, weather forecast reports, storm warnings, navigation maps, etc. Timely transmission of information to ships is only possible with effective maritime communications. In addition, communication is of great importance in making appropriate navigation plans based on the information received from the ships. In recent years, the share of data communication in individual and corporate communications has been increasing. In order to benefit from the great conveniences and opportunities provided by data communication in maritime communication systems, very radical decisions have recently been taken within IMO. These regulations made at the international level paved the way for data communication in close-range maritime communication systems. In line with these regulations, broadband data communication between the ship and the land will begin to be made via VHF devices in the next few years. Another development that will improve broadband data communication in maritime communication systems has been in Near Orbit Satellite systems. The technical features of these systems, the number of which has been increasing in recent years, are extremely suitable for data communication between ship and land. Among these, the Starlink system completes its network in space faster than other satellite systems. It is inevitable that the Starlink system, whose global satellite structure will be completed to a large extent by the end of 2025, will be used to a large extent in data communication between ships and land and between ships with each other. With the use of broadband data feature in the near future, it will be possible for ships to navigate much more safely, efficiently and with a reduced risk of accidents. For this purpose, maritime enterprises, ship personnel and land units must be informed about these developments and their communication infrastructure must be established by taking these systems into consideration.