Abstract
This paper proposes a common ICT reference architecture to overcome current application orgeographic "silos" in digital maritime communication. The architecture is called reference architecturesince it only specifies the generic case. If desired, it can be developed into a more concrete architecture,e.g. on national or port level. The different protocols can be developed based on this genericspecification. As the generic definitions are already agreed on, it should be easier to achieve thenecessary interoperability between the different domains. Some reference processes are beingdeveloped in IMO. In Norway, the new collaborative research project "Intelligent Ship TransportSystem" will investigate these issues, closely aligned with developments in IMO and in selectedinternational standards organizations, mainly IEC and ISO.