Overview
ISO 19848:2024 - "Ships and marine technology - Standard data for shipboard machinery and equipment" defines unified requirements and guidance for capturing, naming and processing sensor data from ships. The second edition (2024) updates the 2018 version and standardizes two core concepts: Data Channel (static metadata describing a sensor/data stream) and Time Series Data (timestamped measurements). The standard describes how to construct Data Channel ID values, assemble a Data Channel List (metadata/codebook), and encode time-series measurements in lightweight formats.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Data Channel model: Defines virtual channels representing sensor streams, composed of a unique Data Channel ID and a set of Data Channel Properties (units, ranges, attributes).
- Data Channel ID types: Universal ID, Local ID and Short ID with a hierarchical, slash-delimited naming structure compatible with URL-style identification.
- Data Channel List: A machine- and human-readable metadata file (codebook) that registers channel IDs and properties for on-board data servers.
- Time Series Data format: Lightweight format referencing the Data Channel List for efficient storage and exchange of timestamped measurements and events.
- Encoding and validation: XML and XML Schema are recommended for precise structure and validation; the 2024 edition introduces JSON schemas as an equivalent implementation and supports CSV for convenience (Annex A).
- Naming schemes and examples: Informative annexes provide example codebooks and naming rules (including the updated “dnv-v2” LocalID scheme).
- Interoperability focus: Emphasizes standardized names to reduce labor-intensive mapping and improve data exchange between on-board applications.
Applications and Users
ISO 19848:2024 is intended for implementers of software and systems that capture, aggregate or process shipboard sensor data, including:
- Shipbuilders and ship system integrators
- On-board IT and data platform developers
- Vessel operators and fleet managers implementing monitoring, safety or energy-efficiency applications
- Classification societies and maritime software vendors creating codebooks and naming schemes
Practical uses include condition monitoring, performance analysis, alarm/event reporting, voyage analytics and machine-to-machine data exchange on modern smart ships.
Related Standards
ISO 19848 references and complements:
- ISO 8601-1 (date/time formats)
- ISO 80000 / IEC 80000 (quantities and units)
- IEC 62923-1 (bridge alert management)
- W3C XML Schema (XSD) and RFC 4180 (CSV)
These related standards support consistent units, timestamps and data validation for reliable maritime data exchange.
