On 26 March 2019, H.E. José Agustinho da Silva, Minister of Transportation and Communications unveils the Maritime Identifications Digits (MID) of Timor-Leste at an event in Dili. H.E. Da Silva said that he welcomes the allocation of MID 550 to Timor-Leste by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) on the fourth of March 2019.
“Having secured an MID for the first time in the history of our nation, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications through the National Communications Authority will be able to assign Maritime Mobile Service Identities (MMSI) to ship stations, SAR aircrafts and coast stations. The availability of MMSI means our ships and aircrafts can now utilize modern emergency communications systems such as Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and Automatic Identification System (AIS). This in turn will bring about better safety for our passengers and crews including those using the Berlin Nakroma Line” said the Minister.