100% for S-100 – CIRM award recognises dedication to development
- bjornaakre
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
NAVTOR’s Bjørn Kristian Sæstad has just been honoured at the CIRM Annual Conference for his contribution to CIRM over the years, especially relating to the on-going development of S-100. Here he explains how collaborating with expert associations, and stakeholders right across the maritime world, can unlock optimal benefits for an industry in transition.
Bjørn Kristian Sæstad isn’t one for self-promotion, so it’s nice that other people praise him.
NAVTOR’s OEM Director is almost squirming in his chair as he relays the news that he was a recipient of the Contributor Award at this year’s CIRM (international association for marine electronics companies) Annual Conference in Lisbon.
He’s eager to shift the spotlight away from the personal to the professional, focusing instead on what the CIRM does, how NAVTOR can add value, and the association’s role in enabling the smooth roll-out and adoption of the upcoming, transformative S-100 standard.
But before he does that, we’ll make him feel uncomfortable for just a little while longer – congratulations Bjørn Kristian!
Enabling progress
Established back in 1928, CIRM (also known as Comité International Radio-Maritime) is an industry body focused on building productive relationships between, and supporting the interests of, members working within the fields of maritime navigation, communication and information systems technology. As such, it brings stakeholders, including regulators and other authorities, together to enable collaborations that benefit the industry – enhancing, for example, safety standards, fleet and vessel efficiency, and sustainability.
With this in mind, Bjørn Kristian points out, the advent of S-100 is a major focus, bringing with it the promise of richer data that underpins far greater situational awareness, more informed decision making and, when’s all said and done, smarter, safer, more efficient shipping operations.
“Much of my work with the association is conducted within the ECDIS technical working group,” he says, “and S-100, which becomes mandatory in 2029, is the big issue.”
Vital influence
CIRM, Bjørn Kristian explains, gathers stakeholders to produce input papers and participate in various IMO related working groups that “will help shape the requirements for S-100”. By doing so, the group can ensure the standard lives up to its transformative potential and is adopted in a way whereby progress is “as smooth as possible”, with the right emphasis, realistic (and shared) expectations, and a suitably robust framework.
“This is the future of maritime navigation,” he emphasizes. “It can’t be decided by people sitting behind desks, who’ve never been on a bridge before.
“Considering the scale of the development, the deadline is actually very tight here, so there’s a pressing need to work on specific core standards and product types, positively influencing the final decisions that are made at the level of the IHO and IMO.”
Bjørn Kristian says he feels lucky NAVTOR has the resources to allow both himself and colleague Paul Elgar (who incidentally won the same accolade at CIRM in 2024) to devote so much time and energy to the “invaluable” association.
“S-100 will be hugely important for our customers,” he stresses, “both the OEMs and the people sailing and managing vessels around the world. That’s why I have spent so much time with CIRM and regulatory bodies this year - it’s a critical period. And of course, this isn’t just about me! It’s about NAVTOR, and as such is a prize for the company.”
Perfect platform
Bjørn Kristian believes its vital for NAVTOR to help the industry with such a major transition.
“We have products and services on more than 18 000 vessels in the world fleet,” he states, “while many of the technology manufacturers rely on our solutions and expertise to help them build the best products possible. So, in that way, not only do we have a commitment to our customers, but we also have the perfect platform to help develop and roll-out S-100 in the optimal manner.
“We have a role to play here… and I’m delighted we’re taking it, putting ourselves, and our customers, at the very vanguard of developments.”
This shows not only through Bjørn Kristian and Paul’s on-going commitment to the CIRM, but also through continual correspondence and collaborations with stakeholders – such as UKHO, PRIMAR, IEC, IHO and IMO – as well as joint efforts with other private sector players, both partners and competitors.
“There’s been so many meetings,” he smiles, “but that’s a reflection of what’s at stake here. This is the future of maritime, so we must collaborate – with associations like the CIRM and throughout the industry – to stay on course. Let’s lead the way forward, together.”
A final point that we’re sure his CIRM colleagues will appreciate.
Read more about the S-100 standard.