Maritime Rescue and Safety Society (SASEMAR) under the Spanish Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has selected Cellnex Spain for ensuring maritime safety in Spain.
Cellnex said the contract encompasses the provision of services integral to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) aimed at safeguarding lives at sea.
Cellnex Spain will operate through its network of Coast Stations along the Iberian Peninsula coastline. These stations will facilitate communication across various frequency bands including VHF, MF, HF, and NAVTEX.
The core responsibilities of Cellnex entail maintaining vigilance through a Permanent Listening Service operated by Maritime radio operators, ensuring prompt response to distress calls, emergency alerts, and security communications. These messages will be swiftly relayed to Rescue Coordination Centres (CCS) for immediate action.
Furthermore, Cellnex’s obligations extend to broadcasting radio warnings, bulletins, and meteorological advisories in coordination with Maritime Rescue. The service also encompasses interconnection with the Spanish medical radio service for medical consultations from vessels at sea, as well as conducting radio equipment testing and ship inspections.
Cellnex brings to the table its extensive experience in managing safety and emergency communications networks, evidenced by its existing mobile radio systems serving over 98,000 users across various emergency response sectors throughout Spain.
Additionally, Cellnex has secured another contract from Maritime Rescue for the Automatic Identification System (AIS) data service. This system aims to establish a comprehensive maritime traffic monitoring and processing mechanism. Under this contract, Cellnex will collect AIS data through its coastal stations, providing real-time monitoring, presentation, and storage of ship navigation information.
Compared to the previous contract, the coverage areas for satellite AIS have been expanded, with the addition of a new Web Map Services (WMS) offering global coverage. The contract, valued at nearly EUR 6 million and spanning five years, underscores Cellnex’s pivotal role in enhancing maritime safety infrastructure in Spain.
