LatConnect 60, an Australian-based satellite data company, has expanded its partnership with Spire Global and will use Spire’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel tracking data to assist in a new research project on maritime collision avoidance in shipping lanes
LatConnect 60 and Curtin University, Western Australia’s largest university, were recently awarded a federal grant from the Australian Research Council (ARC) to conduct the project, which will see the partners create sensor fusion algorithms to reduce collisions using data from satellite sensors, primarily Spire’s maritime domain awareness information.
Incorporating this intelligence into maritime traffic monitoring systems could result in more effective collision and contact avoidance strategies and contribute to more accurate predictions of traffic patterns for ship owners and insurers, the companies said.
LatConnect 60 will use Spire’s space-based data as a foundation on which to layer other data sources like satellite imagery, drones, and IoT sensors, to get near real time appraisal of movements in specific areas of interest.
“Spire’s advanced AIS data has provided significant value to us and we’re thrilled to build on our partnership to enhance our capabilities,” said LatConnect 60 CEO, Venkat Pillay.
“Incorporating Spire’s proprietary data into our research work with Curtin University will allow unprecedented insight into the real-time location of vessels, helping avoid collisions and create a safer and more profitable maritime industry.”
