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Pole Star Issues the First LRIT Conformance Test Report Certification To Marshall Islands Flagged Vessels: M/T Port Louis, M/T Altius and M/V Port Melbourne

Announced today, Marshall Islands flagged vessels M/T PORT LOUIS, M/T ALTIUS and M/V PORT MELBOURNE are the first vessels in the world to be officially issued Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) Conformance Test Report Certification following the successful shipborne equipment conformance testing of the vessels’ Inmarsat C equipment. All three vessels are managed by International Tanker Management (ITM).

The event marks a milestone in the development of LRIT and the relationship between the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administration and Pole Star Space Applications Limited (Pole Star). Both parties have been at the forefront of the development of LRIT with the Marshall Islands Maritime Administration having first commenced operational trials of Pole Star’s MarVTS National Data Centre (NDC) solution during 2006 and officially notifying the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of its nomination of Pole Star as its appointed NDC/ Authorized Service Provider (ASP) for LRIT in 2007. Through the IMO LRIT Working Group meetings in 2008, the Marshall Islands Maritime Administration initiated the drafting of the LRIT Conformance Test specifications resulting in MSC.1/Circ.1257 which provides Guidance on the Survey and Certification of Compliance of Ships with the Requirement to Transmit LRIT Information. The completion of the first LRIT Conformance Test Report Certification represents the culmination of several years of intense effort and confirms the Marshall Islands position as a flag of high quality and operational innovation.

Capt. Thomas F. Heinan, Marshall Islands Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, stated, "We are extremely pleased to be the first flag administration to commence the issuance of LRIT Conformance Test Report Certification. As a reflection of the quality of our owners and operators, we are already tracking the Marshall Islands flagged vessels that must be compliant with LRIT. With Pole Star, our recognised ASP, we are now well positioned to respond to the demands of our shipowners, operators and managers and to support their drive for LRIT compliance.” Capt. Heinan also recognized the added benefits of using Pole Star’s solution well in advance of the implementation deadline. “In addition to ensuring that the Marshall Islands fulfils its SOLAS LRIT obligations, our early adoption of the MarVTS-NDC system has brought significant operational benefits, particularly with regard to the planning of safety inspections and management of high-interest vessels, all of which contribute to our compliance with the Code for the Implementation of Mandatory IMO Instruments and in maintaining a quality fleet.”

Julian Longson, Director of Business Development at Pole Star stated, “This is certainly an extremely demanding period for all maritime administrations and shipowners. For the Marshall Islands to be the first maritime administration with the first LRIT compliant vessels sends out a clear signal that they are very serious about their international obligations and the interests of their shipowners. It has been a privilege teaming with the Marshall Islands over the years in this regard.” He went on to say, “Many of our owners and operators prefer to utilise the testing services of just one ASP in order to simplify and standardize the testing procedures for their entire fleet which invariably will be flagged with multiple registries. To this end, Pole Star has been appointed by several flag administrations as an Authorised Testing ASP.”

Note to editors:

For more information about the Marshall Islands Maritime Administration, please visit its website at: www.register-iri.com

For more information about Pole Star, please contact:

Julie Lithgow, phone +44 20 7313 7400, email lithgow@polestarglobal.com

For more information about LRIT visit http://lrit.com


The LRIT regulation came into force on January 1 2008 with the 31 December 2008 implementation date for ships fast approaching. To this end, the IMO and SOLAS Contracting Governments are urging all shipowners to ensure their vessels are tested and certified well in advance of the implementation date. Compliance to LRIT is important. Some Governments have indicated that they may not grant entry to their territorial waters, or to their ports, for vessels that do not comply with LRIT.


The lrit.com website was launched in January 2008 to provide a comprehensive LRIT information resource for shipowners (and their delegated regulatory representatives) and SOLAS Contracting Governments with their associated Maritime Administrations / Ship Registries. The website is regularly updated with the latest LRIT news and developments including; IMO MSC Resolutions and Circulars, LRIT-compliant shipborne technologies (networks and terminals), and links to the various Maritime Administrations' websites and their national Marine Notices / Circulars for which Pole Star is the appointed LRIT Data Centre Administrator / Recognised ASP or Authorised Testing ASP (with permission).