Status of the work on e-navigation conception and plan of its implementation at the beginning of 2014

During last session of the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in September 2013, Secretary General of this organisation informed that shipping industry is waiting for some practical recommendations regarding e-navigation and principle of its introducing and asked for ending the discussion on e-navigation conception and its strategy implementation plan. Paper presents history and state of works on this subject conducted by two IMO Sub-Committees on Safety of Navigation (NAV) and Radio-communication and Search and Rescue (COMSAR) at the beginning of 2014 and remarks regarding possibility of realisation of the shipping industry expectations in near future.