Shipboard CCTV Upgrades for Modern Maritime Operations

Electronic camera sensors have developed rapidly. Today’s cameras deliver substantially higher resolution, improved low-light performance, and far greater dynamic range than earlier generations. These improvements result in clearer, more usable imagery in challenging marine environments, including low illumination, glare, and rapidly changing lighting conditions commonly encountered at sea.

Historically, large storage capacity combined with fast read/write speeds was prohibitively expensive for high-quality video recording. This is no longer the case. Reduced memory costs, together with higher-capacity and higher-speed storage technologies, now allow vessels to retain significantly improved CCTV footage without compromise. This ensures critical events are captured in the level of detail required for investigation, training, and regulatory compliance.

Many vessels continue to operate legacy CCTV systems based on analogue cameras connected via coaxial cabling. A key advantage of modern shipboard CCTV upgrades is the ability to reuse this existing infrastructure. High-resolution cameras can operate over coaxial cable, delivering improved performance while avoiding the disruption and cost associated with complete cable replacement.

Where additional coverage is required, systems can be scaled far more easily than in the past. This scalability is becoming increasingly relevant in light of forthcoming regulatory changes. Amendments adopted under SOLAS 2024 (108th session), Chapter II-2, Regulation 20.4 introduce enhanced requirements related to monitoring of vehicle decks, ro-ro cargo spaces, and special category spaces. As these requirements come into force, many passenger RoRo operators are reviewing existing CCTV coverage and upgrade options to ensure systems can be expanded or enhanced to meet these requirements.

Additional camera locations can be added using Ethernet cabling or by leveraging technologies such as Ethernet over Coax (EoC), providing flexibility even on complex or older vessel systems.

In addition to traditional security control room installations, modern CCTV on ships can be accessed—and where appropriate, controlled—from remote locations within the vessel and, in certain scenarios, from shore-based facilities. Access is managed through permission-based hierarchies, ensuring video feeds and system controls are available only to authorised personnel, in line with vessel security policies and operational requirements.

As part of our CCTV upgrade assessments, we evaluate whether existing fixed camera locations would be better served by PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras. PTZ devices enable swept coverage zones and allow operators to examine areas of interest in detail, both within and beyond the original fixed field of view. This approach can significantly enhance situational awareness without increasing the overall camera count.

Artificial intelligence and video analytics are becoming increasingly relevant in shipboard CCTV systems. Modern platforms can trigger events based on motion detection, scene changes, or the presence of humans or vehicles. Facial recognition and integration with access control systems are also emerging areas of interest within the maritime sector, offering enhanced security, automation, and operational insight where appropriate.

Camera construction and materials have advanced alongside image performance. Today’s smaller, lower-cost cameras are available in robust enclosures suitable for marine and shipboard use, designed to withstand harsh operating conditions. 

If you are considering a CCTV upgrade for a vessel or fleet, we would be pleased to review your existing system and discuss practical and scalable upgrade options. Please get in touch to start the conversation.

Amendments adopted at the 108th session of SOLAS introduce changes to Chapter II-2, Regulation 20.4, relating to enhanced monitoring of vehicle decks, ro-ro spaces, and special category spaces. While the regulation does not mandate a single technical solution, many operators are reviewing or upgrading shipboard CCTV systems to support improved situational awareness, early incident detection, and alignment with evolving fire safety and monitoring expectations.

In many cases, yes. Modern CCTV upgrades can often reuse existing coaxial cabling, allowing vessels to improve image quality and system capability without the cost and disruption of full cable replacement. The suitability of existing infrastructure is typically assessed during a system review.

Shipboard CCTV systems may use a combination of fixed, varifocal, PTZ, analogue, and IP cameras depending on coverage requirements and environmental conditions. Cameras selected for exposed or harsh areas are typically chosen based on appropriate ingress protection and corrosion-resistance characteristics rather than a single blanket certification.

Yes. Modern shipboard CCTV architectures are designed to be scalable. Additional cameras and viewing stations can be added using Ethernet cabling or technologies such as Ethernet over Coax (EoC), making it practical to expand coverage as operational or regulatory requirements evolve.

Modern CCTV systems can support remote viewing and, where appropriate, control from authorised onboard locations and selected shore-based facilities. Access is governed by permission-based controls to ensure alignment with vessel & operator security policies and operational constraints.

Yes. Many modern CCTV platforms support video analytics such as motion detection, scene change alerts, and human or vehicle presence detection. More advanced capabilities, including facial recognition and access control integration, may be implemented where operationally appropriate and compliant with applicable policies.

Regulatory interpretations may vary, and vessel-specific requirements should be confirmed with flag state and classification society guidance.