Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)
IRNSS is an independent regional navigation satellite system developed by India, to provide accurate position information for the navigation of ships around the Indian Ocean. Its operational name is NavIC.
India fourth country to get IMO approval for navigation satellite
- India became the fourth country to get IMO’s approval for navigation satellite system, the three others being the US, Russia and China.
- The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) has now been accepted as a component of WWRNS i.e. World Wide Radio Navigation System for operation in the Indian Ocean Region.
- The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved the recognition of IRNSS. The decision was made in the MSC meeting (102nd session) held from November 4 to 11, 2020.
- The decision was made on the assessment and recommendation provided by the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) in its 7th session that was held from January 15 to 20, 2020.
- After the recognition, the merchant vessels would be able to use IRNSS for obtaining position information similar to GPS and GLONASS.
- IRNSS will be used for providing assistance in the navigation of ships in ocean waters within the area of around 1,500 km from the Indian boundary.
International Maritime Organization
It is a specialised UN agency that regulates shipping. It was formed in 1948 at a UN Conference in Geneva and came into existence through the 1st meeting in the year 1959. It has 173 members (including 3 associate members). It is headquartered in London, UK. The most recent members of IMO are Armenia and Nauru, which joined the convention in January and May 2018, respectively. India became the member of IMO in 1959.