Procurement of satellite based and optical SAR.

The Norwegian Coastal Administration is a transport agency under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, with responsibility for safe and efficient transport in Norwegian farleder. The agency also has a national responsibility for stand-by against severe pollution. The Norwegian Coastal Administration is responsible for civil maritime monitoring, including monitoring shipping traffic, as well as supporting other departments ́ sector responsibility within maritime safety and contingency.

The current monitoring capacity is largely based on maritime reporting systems, where the Automatic Identification System (AIS) makes up a central supporting beam. Although AIS provides comprehensive information about ship traffic, situations occur where location data is not received is insufficient or deliberately suppressed. This creates a need for complementary monitoring methods.

The objective of the procurement is therefore to supplement the existing monitoring capacity with satellite based, non-cooperative sensor data. The system shall contribute to strengthening situational comprehension in Norwegian sea areas by using image forming sensors (optical and SAR – Synthetic Aperture Radar). This shall enable: verification of AIS data detection of vessels that do not send AIS (so-called "dark vessels") improved situation understanding and decision support in the operative contexts The coastal works would like to enter into an agreement for access to an already established and operative system for satellite based detection and analysis.

Developments in this procurement cannot be included. The contract will be valid for one (1) year, with an option for an extension.