Puertos del Estado

VTS (Vessel Traffic Service)

Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is very helpful in those areas with a high level of traffic density since it improves the security (both for the traffic and for the humans) as well as protects the sea environment against the effects of this traffic.
VTS is based on a wide network of radars, information about the zone (electronic chart, weather and oceanic information, characteristics of the vessels, etc) and the oral communications (usually in VHF and GSM).
In order to manage the vessel traffic via VTS, it is required to know the current situation and gather all this information through software applications that summarize all these data in one or more computer screens.
These tools allow to estimate, for example, the future shipping routes of the vessels and to perform the appropriate changes in order to avoid collisions or beaching. Both the progress of the screens and the radio communications are recorded in a magnetic device.

One of the main functionalities of this aid to navigation is its capacity to interact with the traffic and to provide the most appropriate answer to any situation raised in any situation. Thus, VTS provides the mariners with an information service and, in certain cases, with services of aids to navigation and/or shipping traffic services.
The VTS can be classified into two categories: Port VTS (focused on the incoming/outgoing traffic within the port or port facilities) and the Coastal VTS (focused on the traffic within each area). The port VTS include the three types of services quoted above, or at least two of them. However, the coastal VTS only offers the information service.
The Information Service must guarantee the availability of the basic information when required in order to take decisions on board. This system is based on the emission of data by radio (either periodically, when the VTS considers it necessary or when required by the vessel) about:

• Position, identification, intentions and destination of the vessels sailing in that area. In this case, the Automatic Identification System (AIS ) is very helpful.
• Modifications of the information emitted about the area, limits, procedures within the area, channels or radio frequencies that must be used, etc.
• Variables that can have influence on the navigation such as oceanic and climatic parameters, warnings to the mariners, status of the aids to navigation, status of the traffic, vessels with problems, etc.

The Services of Aids to navigation must help the vessels both in the actions to carry out in any time and in the follow-up of their effects. Moreover, this service must mainly help the vessels if any problem due to the climatic conditions, averages, etc. Thus, the following information must be provided:

• Recommended routes and speed.
• Positions with regard to certain references.
• Warnings.

This service is usually provided by request of the vessel or when the VTS considers it necessary. Consequently, the type of information provided differs and hence, it must be clearly distinguished between the basic information and the sailing recommendations - which have a more professional nature.
The Shipping Traffic Services are responsible for managing the traffic in order to avoid collisions and dangerous situations and to guarantee a smooth flow within the area controlled by the VTS. Thus, certain rules are defined for priorities within the area, space allocation, shipping routes to follow, speed limitations and other measures.