European Maritime Safety Agency’s Automated Behaviour Monitoring (ABM) System: Enhancing Maritime Situational Awareness

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has introduced the Automated Behaviour Monitoring (ABM) system, a sophisticated computer-based solution designed to analyze ship positions and automatically detect abnormal or specific vessel behaviors. Operational since 2015, ABM supports EMSA’s Integrated Maritime Service (IMS) users in maritime surveillance and monitoring functions, offering an enhanced situational picture in near real time or for historical analysis.

Key Features and Benefits of ABM

Automated Detection:

• ABM employs advanced algorithms to detect various behaviors, such as drifting, sudden changes in speed or heading, spoofing positions, and vessel encounters at sea.
• Operators can receive alerts via graphical user interface notifications, emails, or direct system-to-system alerts, significantly reducing their workload.

Versatile Data Sources:

• The system integrates data from multiple tracking sources, including Terrestrial-AIS, Satellite-AIS, Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT), and Earth Observation satellites.

Enhanced Capabilities:

• Near Real-Time ABM (NRT-ABM): Swiftly detects specific or anomalous ship behaviors and sends alerts within approximately 15 minutes.
• Historical ABM (H-ABM) – On-Demand: Allows users to detect and analyze past events based on user-configured scenarios.
• Historical ABM (H-ABM) – Always-On: Continuously records events such as port calls, drifting, ship-to-ship activities, reporting gaps, and voyage-related changes, establishing a comprehensive global database.

Multiple Applications:

• Safety: Early warnings for vessels posing potential risks or following unusual routes.
• Security: Tracking vessels involved in illegal activities such as smuggling or breaking embargoes.
• Border Protection: Detecting vessels approaching shores to transfer goods or persons illegally.
• Fisheries: Monitoring illegal fishing activities, such as the launching of fishing gear and transshipment of illegal catch.

Accessing ABM

The system can be accessed through various platforms, including the SafeSeaNet Graphical User Interface (SEG) on desktops, the Integrated Maritime Services application (IMS mobile app) on mobile devices, and the EMSA Maritime Analytics Tool (EMAT). Public authorities interested in the service can request access by emailing: ims@emsa.europa.eu.

Conclusion

EMSA’s ABM system exemplifies a significant advancement in maritime situational awareness, leveraging cutting-edge technology to ensure safety, security, and efficiency in maritime operations. By integrating various data sources and offering real-time and historical analysis capabilities, ABM provides robust support for maritime surveillance and monitoring, benefiting a wide range of maritime stakeholders across Europe and beyond.