Swedish Space Corporation News

Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre announced the purchase of new marine pollution aerial surveillance equipment that will significantly strengthen Transport Canada's National Aerial Surveillance Program. The $2.3 million contract will cover the purchase of the equipment, as well as the on-board crew training. "The Government of Canada is committed to preventing pollution from ships and to continuously enhancing the protection of our marine environment," said Mr. Lapierre. Transport Canada conducts aerial surveillance to detect marine pollution from ships. When such pollution is detected, charges may be laid under the Canada Shipping Act.

President George Bush has signed into law legislation repealing a four year old rule imposing a 50% duty on the cost of routine repairs and maintenance carried out by U.S. merchant mariners while their vessel is at sea. The elimination of the duty, which customs authorities have levied on US-flag carriers since April 2001, represents a victory for the domestic shipowning community. The community has lobbied hard against it since its introduction. President Bush signed into law the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (S. 2845). The major emphasis of the legislation is reform of the U.S. intelligence organization. Other measures, though, may impact the maritime community.

EMS Satcom, a division of EMSTechnologies, Inc. reported that Transport Canada has selected the EMS SATCOM eNfusion Broadband high-speed data system to enhance marine pollution surveillance and detection on Transport Canada's National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP) Dash 8 aircraft. Flight Acceptance Tests were completed in early November 2006. EMS SATCOM's eNfusion system was installed and integrated with the Swedish Space Corporation's (SSC) Maritime Surveillance System (MSS 6000) to allow for real-time transmission and replay of data. The advantage is that evidence captured during the pollution patrol can be directly transmitted from the aircraft to command centers or marine safety inspectors in real-time…