Security, Defence, Technology and Specialised Sectors

Technology, digitalization and smart shipping glossary

The digital and automation layer reshaping the ship: autonomous vessels under the MASS Code and the IMO degrees of autonomy, IoT and shipboard data standards (ISO 19847, 19848), AI route optimization, the electronic bill of lading under MLETR, just-in-time arrival, digital twins, satcom and LEO connectivity, e-navigation on S-100 and VDES, PNT resilience, performance monitoring under ISO 19030, and OT cyber resilience under IACS UR E26 and E27.

205 defined terms.

A

A1/A2/A3/A4 Sea Areas: GMDSS sea-area definitions by communications coverage.
ABS CyberSafety: ABS class notation framework for cyber resilience.
Active Steering Compensation: Autopilot feature for current/wind correction.
ADIS (Auto-Identification Data Inspector): Verification utility for AIS feeds.
AI Route Optimization: Machine-learning weather-routing systems.
AI Voyage Charter Engine: ML-based chartering decision support.
AIS-SART: AIS Search and Rescue Transmitter for survival craft.
Application Programming Interface (API): Software interface for system-to-system data exchange.
AR/VR Bridge Training: Immersive simulator-based training.
Asset Performance Management (APM): Predictive maintenance platform category.
Automated Container Terminal (ACT): Terminal using AGV/ASC automation.
Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV): Driverless horizontal-transport vehicle in container terminals.
Automated Mooring System (AMS): Vacuum or magnetic shore-side mooring (e.g., MoorMaster).
Automated Rail-Mounted Gantry (ARMG): Driverless rail-mounted stacking crane.
Automated Stacking Crane (ASC): Driverless stacking crane in yard blocks.
Automatic Berthing System: Sensor/control suite for assisted berthing.
Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV): Self-operating surface craft.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV): Self-contained submerged platform.

B

Bandwidth-on-Demand (BoD): Satcom service tier that scales throughput.
BIMCO Cyber Security Clause 2019: Standard cyber-risk-allocation charterparty clause.
BIMCO Cyber Security Workbook: Industry guideline on cyber risk management.
Black-Box Optimization: Closed-model voyage performance tuning.
Blockchain Bill of Lading: Tokenized eBL on distributed ledger.
Blue Economy Data Platform: Multi-source maritime data integration.
Bridge NavData Network (NMEA OneNet/IEC 61162-450/460): Standardized navigation data networks.
Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN): Inmarsat broadband service.

C

C-Band Satcom: Frequency band used in maritime broadband.
Cable-Lay Telemetry: Real-time monitoring of subsea cable laying parameters.
Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII): Operational indicator under MARPOL Annex VI Chapter 4.
CCTV Analytics: AI vision for berth and engine-room safety.
Class Notation (Smart/Cyber): e.g., DNV "Smart" or ABS "CyberSafety" labels.
Cloud-Native Vessel Performance Platform: SaaS performance/emissions analytics.
Cognitive Radio (Maritime VDES): Adaptive spectrum use in VHF data exchange.
Common Maritime Data Structure (CMDS): IHO/IMO data-modeling under S-100.
Connected Worker (Marine): Wearable + comms platform for crew safety.
CSC Container Reweigh Sensor: IoT for SOLAS VGM compliance.
CSP (Critical Service Provider): External provider material to OT operations.
Cyber Risk Management Plan: Documented controls per MSC.428(98) inside the SMS.
Cyber-Physical System (CPS): Integrated digital/physical shipboard system.

D

DCSA (Digital Container Shipping Association): Industry body standardizing container data flows.
DCSA eBL Standard: Interoperability standard for electronic bills of lading.
Decision Support System (Bridge): Software aiding collision avoidance and route planning.
Deep-Sea Cable Monitoring: DAS-based fiber-cable surveillance.
Differential GNSS (DGNSS): Augmentation correcting GNSS errors.
Digital Twin (Ship): Live model mirroring vessel state for analytics.
Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS): Fiber-based acoustic monitoring of subsea cables.
DNV Cyber Secure: DNV class notation for cyber-secure ships.
DNV Smart Notation: Class notation suite for smart-ship functions.
Dynamic Positioning Software: Control loop for thrusters maintaining heading/position.

E

E-Navigation (IMO): IMO strategy integrating ship/shore information services.
EAL (Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant): Mandated where USCG/VGP requires.
eBL (Electronic Bill of Lading): Digital equivalent of paper B/L recognized under MLETR.
ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System): SOLAS-mandated electronic chart system.
ECDIS-N (Navy variant): Naval ECDIS variant.
Edge Computing (Shipboard): On-board compute reducing satcom dependence.
EEXI (Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index): IMO design efficiency metric for existing ships.
Engine Health Monitoring (EHM): Predictive maintenance of main propulsion.
Enterprise Resource Planning (Maritime): Owner/manager back-office software (e.g., Veson, DNV ShipManager).
EU MRV Regulation 757/2015: EU regulation on monitoring, reporting, verification of CO2 from ships.
Event Detection and Response (Cyber Maritime): SIEM/SOC capability for fleet.

F

Fleet Broadband (FB): Inmarsat L-band broadband service.
Fleet Performance Management: Operational efficiency software.
Fleet Xpress: Inmarsat Ka-band/L-band hybrid service.
Flight Path Optimization (Aviation Crossover): Adopted in voyage analogues.
Free Flow Communications: Multi-band antenna combining services.
Fuel Lab On-Board: Embedded combustion analytics for bunker monitoring.

G

Galileo: EU GNSS constellation.
GLONASS: Russian GNSS constellation.
GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System): SOLAS communications framework.
GMDSS Modernization 2024: IMO modernization including recognition of new mobile satellite services.
GNSS Spoofing Detection: Multi-frequency/multi-constellation receivers and INS aiding.

H

Hardware Security Module (HSM): Dedicated crypto device used in eBL/PKI.
Heading Sensor: Component feeding gyro/satellite-derived heading.
HF Data Modems: Long-range radio data systems used in remote regions.
High Throughput Satellite (HTS): Multi-spot-beam Ka/Ku satellite category.
Hull Stress Monitoring: Strain-gauge system on large vessels.

I

IACS Recommendation 166: Recommendation on cyber resilience.
IACS UR E22: Computer-based systems on board ships.
IACS UR E26: Cyber resilience of ships (new builds 1 Jul 2024+).
IACS UR E27: Cyber resilience of on-board systems and equipment (new builds 1 Jul 2024+).
IEC 61162-1: NMEA 0183 standard for navigation data interconnection.
IEC 61162-450/460: Ethernet-based navigation networks.
IEC 62443: Industrial automation security standard, applied in OT shipboard networks.
Industrial IoT (IIoT): Networked sensors in engine room and cargo systems.
Inertial Navigation System (INS): Self-contained dead-reckoning system.
Inmarsat C: Polling/EGC/SafetyNET service in GMDSS.
Inmarsat Fleet Express: Inmarsat managed VSAT service.
IoT (Internet of Things) Maritime: Networked ship-side and shore-side sensors.
IoT Reference Architecture (ISO 19847/19848): Standards for shipboard data servers and sensor metadata.
Iridium Certus: L-band satellite broadband service (GMDSS-recognized 2020).
Iridium SafetyCast: GMDSS Maritime Safety Information service via Iridium.
ISO 19030: Hull and propeller performance measurement.
ISO 19847: Shipboard data servers to share field data at sea.
ISO 19848: Standard data for shipboard machinery and equipment.
ISO 23807: Smart shipping vocabulary (in development).
ISO 28005: Electronic port clearance standard.
ISO/IEC 27001: Information security management standard widely adopted in shipping.

J

JIT Port Call Standard (DCSA/IMO PCO): Data standard for JIT messages.
Just-in-Time (JIT) Arrival: IMO/industry concept aligning arrival with berth availability.

K

Ka-Band Satcom: High-throughput satellite band.
Key Management (PKI): Lifecycle of cryptographic keys for eBL/SSAS.
Kongsberg K-Sim: Major bridge/engine simulator product (illustrative).
Ku-Band Satcom: Older HTS band.

L

L-Band Satcom: Inmarsat/Iridium band for resilient comms.
LEO Satcom (Starlink, OneWeb): Low-earth-orbit broadband constellations.
LiDAR (Maritime): Laser ranging for situational awareness/autonomy.
Linux OS (OT): Common shipboard control-system OS, requiring patch governance.
Lloyd's Register Digital Health Check: Cyber gap-analysis service.
Logistics Visibility Platform: Multi-modal supply-chain dashboarding.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Constellation: Multi-satellite broadband network category.
LPWAN (LoRa, NB-IoT): Low-power wide-area networks for port IoT.

M

Maritime Connectivity Platform (MCP): IALA-supported e-navigation identity/service registry.
Maritime Cyber Risk Self-Assessment Tool: BIMCO online tool.
Maritime Service Portfolio (MSP): IMO e-navigation set of services.
Maritime Single Window (MSW): FAL Convention-mandated digital port clearance interface.
MASS (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship): IMO term covering varying autonomy degrees.
MASS Code (Non-Mandatory 2026, Mandatory 2032 target): IMO instrument under development.
MASS Degree 1: Ship with automated processes and decision support; crew on board.
MASS Degree 2: Remotely controlled with seafarers on board.
MASS Degree 3: Remotely controlled without seafarers on board.
MASS Degree 4: Fully autonomous ship.
MASS Trial Guidelines (MSC.1/Circ.1604): IMO interim guidelines for trials.
MERSAR / IAMSAR: SAR coordination publications.
Microsoft Maritime Connect (Various): Illustrative cloud-vendor maritime offering.
MLETR (UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records): Legal basis for eBL recognition.
Mobile Maritime Service Identity (MMSI): Nine-digit ITU-assigned ID.
Multi-Constellation GNSS Receiver: Receives GPS/Galileo/GLONASS/BeiDou for resilience.

N

Nautical Cybersecurity Framework (NIST-Maritime): Adapted NIST CSF profile.
NAVAREA Warnings: IHO area-based navigational warnings.
NAVTEX: GMDSS broadcast service under SOLAS IV.
Network Time Protocol Hardening: Cyber-relevant time synchronization control.
NMEA 0183/2000/OneNet: Marine data interconnect standards.
Noon Report Automation: Replacement of manual daily reports via IoT.

O

Onboard Data Server (ISO 19847): Standardized sensor-data hub.
OneWeb Maritime: LEO satellite broadband service.
OPC UA: Industrial interoperability standard used in shipboard automation.
Operational Technology (OT): Control systems for shipboard automation.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Gate: Automated terminal gate using camera/OCR.
Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates: Remote software updates to shipboard systems.

P

Pagefind (Generic Search): Static search illustration; not maritime per se.
Passage Plan Auto-Update: Software-driven dynamic re-routing.
PCS (Port Community System): Single-window platform among port stakeholders.
Performance Management Software: Vessel performance and benchmarking platform.
Pilot Portable Unit (PPU): Pilot's own laptop/sensor for berthing.
PKI (Public Key Infrastructure): Cryptographic trust framework for eBL/SSAS.
PNT (Position, Navigation, Timing): Cross-cutting capability for ships and ports.
Polar Code (Communications): Specific GMDSS/PNT considerations in polar regions.
Port Call Optimization (PCO) Taskforce: IMO-supported industry initiative.
Predictive Maintenance: Sensor/analytics-driven maintenance scheduling.
Process Hazard Analysis (Cyber): Combined-domain risk analysis on OT systems.

Q

Quality of Service (QoS) (Satcom): Service-level guarantees for ship comms.

R

Radar Plot Extractor: Software converting raw radar into tracks.
Real-Time Kinematic (RTK): Centimeter-accurate GNSS used in port automation.
Reefer Telematics: Remote monitoring of refrigerated containers.
Remote Diagnostics: Vendor-side troubleshooting of shipboard machinery.
Remote Operations Center (ROC): Shore-based MASS control facility.
Remote Pilot Station: Remote pilotage demonstration setup.
Remote Survey (Class): Class society remote surveys via video and sensors.
Risk Assessment (NIST SP 800-30): Methodology often adopted shipboard.
RoRo Lane-Recognition AI: Vision system for vehicle deck operations.
Route Exchange Format (RTZ): IEC 61174-compliant interoperable route format.

S

S-100 Universal Hydrographic Data Model: IHO next-generation hydrographic framework.
S-101 ENC Product Specification: Next-gen Electronic Navigational Chart spec under S-100.
S-102 Bathymetric Surface: S-100 product specification.
S-104 Water Levels: S-100 product specification.
S-111 Surface Currents: S-100 product specification.
S-124 Navigational Warnings: S-100 product specification.
S-129 Under-Keel Clearance: S-100 product specification.
SafetyNET II: Inmarsat enhanced safety broadcast service.
Sail Plan Optimization: Algorithmic departure time/route choice.
SAR Aircraft Datalink: ACO-SAR data exchange.
Satellite AIS (S-AIS): AIS messages received via satellite.
Satellite Earth Station (SES): Ship-side antenna unit.
SBSA (Smart Bridge Situation Awareness): Generic acronym in HMI design.
Sea Traffic Management (STM): EU concept of route exchange among ships and shore.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Cyber correlation platform.
Sensor Fusion: Combining radar, AIS, camera, LiDAR for autonomy.
Service Worker (Web App): Edge component in ship-shore apps.
Shaft Power Meter: Sensor measuring delivered shaft power.
Ship-Shore Reporting Standard (FAL.5/Circ.40): IMO standardized data set.
Single Window Data Set (IMO Compendium): Harmonized ship-port-shore data elements.
Smart Container: Container with IoT for GPS, temperature, shock, door events.
Smart Port: Digitally orchestrated port operations.
Software Bill of Materials (SBOM): Inventory of components in shipboard software.
Starlink Maritime: SpaceX LEO maritime broadband service.
STM (Sea Traffic Management): EU-funded interoperability program.
Stress Monitoring System: Hull-monitoring system on large vessels.

T

Trim Optimization Software: Voyage-time tool minimizing fuel via trim.
Twin Cloud Architecture: Redundant cloud deployment for fleet platforms.

U

UAS (Unmanned Aerial System): Drone used for ship/port surveillance/inspection.
UN/EDIFACT: Legacy EDI standard for shipping documents.
UN/LOCODE: UN location codes for trade and transport.
UNECE eCMR: Electronic consignment note (road-leg supply-chain interoperability).
Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV): Autonomous or remotely operated surface craft.

V

VDES (VHF Data Exchange System): ITU R-M.2092 next-generation VHF data.
VDR (Voyage Data Recorder): SOLAS V/20 mandated black box per MSC.333(90).
Voyage Charter Optimization: Algorithmic cargo-vessel matching.
Voyage Optimization Software: Routing and trim software reducing fuel use.
VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal): Maritime broadband satcom.

W

Weather routing: Optimum-track routing per environmental forecasts.
WiSAFE/WIMAX (Port): Wireless backhaul for port automation.

X

X-band radar: 9.4 GHz band marine radar.
X.509 Certificate: PKI certificate format used in eBL and SSAS.

Y

Y2K38 Risk (OT): Embedded systems' epoch-rollover risk in legacy OT.

Z

Zero Trust (Maritime): Cyber model requiring verification of every device/user.

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