New VTS
The second half of 2020 has been a busy period for VTS across Australia, including the appointment of two new VTS authorities (Flinders Ports and TasPorts) and Port Authority of New South Wales being authorised to provide VTS at Port Kembla.
Above: Adelaide VTS Centre
VTS authorities and their respective areas
| VTS authority | VTS |
|---|---|
| Victorian Ports Corporation | Melbourne |
| Maritime Safety Queensland | Brisbane Gladstone Hay Point Mackay Abbot Point Townsville Cairns Weipa REEFVTS |
| Pilbara Ports Authority—Port Hedland | Port Hedland |
| Pilbara Ports Authority—Port of Dampier | Dampier Ashburton |
| Fremantle Ports | Fremantle |
| Port Authority of New South Wales | Sydney Port Kembla |
| TasPorts | Hobart Bell Bay Devonport Burnie Port Latta Stanley Grassy Strahan Coles Bay Lady Barron |
| Flinders Ports | Adelaide |
IMO update—resolution on VTS
The IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) approved the draft revision to IMO Resolution A.857(20) Guidelines for Vessel Traffic in November. The revision will be submitted to the IMO Assembly in 2021 for adoption.
IALA update
The 49th meeting of the IALA Vessel Traffic Services Committee (VTS49), held between 21 September and 15 October 2020, was attended by 172 IALA members from 34 countries and four sister organisations.
The Participants from Australia included AMSA, Maritime Safety Queensland and Victorian Regional Channels Authority.
Key outcomes of VTS49
1. New recommendations and guidelines
The following draft recommendations and guidelines were finalised during VTS49 and were subsequently approved by Council at its meeting 8-10 December 2020. Australian VTS authorities and other stakeholders contributed to the development of these documents through the VTS advisory group.
| Document | Changes |
| IALA Standard 1040 Vessel Traffic Services – VTS Implementation Recommendation 0119 – Establishment of VTS and Guideline 1150 – Establishing, Planning and Implementing VTS | The Recommendation and associated Guideline were revised to:
|
| IALA Standard 1040 Vessel Traffic Services – VTS Operations IALA Guideline 1089 - Provision of Vessel Traffic Services (INS, TOS & NAS) | The Guideline has been rewritten to reflect changes relating to the provision of VTS in the ‘new’ IMO resolution for VTS expected to be adopted in 2021. The new guideline:
Note: The IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) approved the draft revision to IMO Resolution A.857(20) Guidelines for Vessel Traffic in November for submission to the IMO Assembly in 2021 with a view to its adoption. |
| IALA Standard 1040 Training and Certification Recommendation 0103 – Training and Certification of VTS Personnel | Revised to specify required practices when training and certifying VTS personnel. |
| IALA Standard 1040 Training and Certification Guideline on Recruitment, Training and Certification of VTS Personnel | A new guideline describing how to implement the practices specified in Recommendation 0103 – Training and Certification of VTS Personnel. Guideline number to be assigned by the secretariat. |
2. Correspondence groups
Several correspondence groups were formed at VTS49 to prepare new and revised standards remaining in the 2018–22 VTS Committee work programme for consideration at VTS50 in March 2021.
Key tasks include:
- approving the revision of core documentation to align with the new IMO resolution for VTS.
- developing new documentation describing the use of common phraseology and procedures to facilitate unambiguous communications from a VTS to the bridge team and allied services.
- updating documentation prescribing the practices associated with operational procedures for VTS.
- updating documentation prescribing practices associated with IALA model courses, including V103/1 - VTS Operator; V103/2 - VTS Supervisor; V103/3 - OJT; V103/4 - OJT Instructor; and V103/5 - Revalidation Process.
Above: Port Kembla VTS
VTS advisory group
The 26th meeting of the Australian VTS Advisory Group—the peak consultative body to AMSA for matters relating to its responsibilities for VTS in Australia—took place on 28 and 29 October.
Key outcomes from the meeting include:
1. IALA standards relating to VTS
Members were briefed on:
- The new and revised recommendations and guidelines mentioned in the IALA Update above.
- The formation of the IALA Correspondence Groups to progress the preparation of new/revised documentation for approval in 2021.
2. Monthly meetings
Noting the significant changes to the international framework for VTS expected over the next 12 months with the likely adoption at IMO of the new resolution for VTS, members agreed that monthly virtual meetings world be beneficial to:
- monitor changes to VTS standards associated with the pending new IMO resolution and new documentation related to VTS communications and phraseology
- consider possible implications and contribute to the IALA intersessional groups preparing these documents.
Above: Warren Bath, winner of the inaugural Australian VTS Award this year.
2020-21 Australia VTS Award
The VTS award was launched in December 2019 to recognise an outstanding contribution by a VTS to the safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation, and the protection of the marine environment.
Nominations for the 2020–21 VTS award opened on 1 October 2020.
Calendar of events
- VTS Committee meeting—22–26 March 2021
- IALA Symposium—19–23 April 2021 (online event)
- IALA risk management toolbox seminar—8–12 November 2021, Port Education Centre, Port Melbourne, Vic. This seminar provides detailed instruction, including case studies and hands-on practical use, of IALA’s risk models.