Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# VTS Traffic Management

The VTS provides information, assistance and sometimes traffic organisation, but never replaces the Master's authority over the conduct of their own ship.

VTS vessel traffic service SOLAS V/12 maritime traffic

## Operational Explanation

A Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is a service established by coastal authorities, where the volume of traffic or the degree of risk justifies it, to improve the safety and efficiency of navigation and the protection of the marine environment in port areas or areas of heavy traffic.

The Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services, updated and adopted by Res. A.1158(32) (2021) replacing the earlier Res. A.857(20) of 1997, describe the purpose of the VTS, the regulatory and legal framework for its establishment and operation, the roles and responsibilities of Governments, competent authorities, service providers and participating ships, and the qualification and training requirements for VTS personnel.

A core principle, consistently reaffirmed throughout the VTS's development since its inception, is the preservation of the Master's authority: the VTS provides information, traffic assistance and, in some configurations, traffic organisation, but responsibility for the ship's course and speed always remains with the Master, assisted by the pilot where necessary.

## Regulatory Reference

SOLAS Regulation V/12 (Vessel Traffic Services): Governments may establish a VTS where the volume of traffic or the degree of risk justifies it; Res. A.1158(32) (2021), Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services, replacing Res. A.857(20).

## Scope of Application

Every ship transiting an area covered by an established VTS, with an obligation to participate according to the provisions of the relevant coastal authority.

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Establish and maintain radio contact with the competent VTS in accordance with the reporting procedures set out for the area (reporting system).
2. Provide the VTS with the requested information (position, course, speed, destination, any operational restrictions) accurately and promptly.
3. Treat information and advice provided by the VTS as decision support, while always retaining the Master's decision-making responsibility for the conduct of the ship.
4. If the Master considers VTS indications to conflict with the safety of their own ship, promptly communicate their intentions and the reasons for the decision.
5. Report to the VTS any anomalous situation detected (non-compliant traffic, rapidly deteriorating weather/sea conditions, breakdowns) that may be relevant to the general safety of the area.

## Practical Example

Example interaction: while entering a high-traffic-density port area, the VTS provides information on outbound traffic and recommends a transit sequence; the Master, having verified the real conditions, assesses the recommendation as consistent with the safety of their own ship and follows it, while remaining fully aware that the final decision remains theirs.

## Real Cases

The historical development of VTS has had to address, from the outset, the concern that a traffic service might be perceived as an encroachment on the Master's authority: IMO Guidelines have consistently clarified that the VTS's role remains informational and assistive, except for the specific traffic-organisation configurations explicitly provided for, never substituting for the Master's navigational responsibility.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Communications with the VTS incomplete or delayed relative to the reporting procedures set out | Loss of situational awareness by the VTS regarding the traffic area | Rigorously follow the reporting system set out for the VTS area
VTS indications perceived as binding orders rather than as information/assistance | Suboptimal navigational decisions taken without the Master's full critical assessment | Treat VTS indications as informational support, always retaining independent assessment of the situation
Failure to communicate to the VTS a disagreement with a recommendation received | The VTS remains unaware of the ship's real intentions, with risk of conflict with other traffic | Always promptly communicate to the VTS your intentions when departing from a recommendation

## PSC Observations

VTS operation is not the direct subject of PSC inspection on the ship, but the crew's competence in VTS communications and knowledge of the applicable reporting procedures may be verified as part of the general assessment of the bridge team.

## Operational Tips

- Rigorously follow the reporting system set out for every VTS area, without improvising incomplete communications.
- Always treat VTS indications as informational support: navigational responsibility remains with the Master.
- Promptly communicate to the VTS every time you depart from a recommendation received, explaining the reason.

## Checklist

- Radio contact established with the competent VTS according to the area's reporting system
- Information provided to the VTS accurate and timely
- VTS recommendations critically assessed, not followed automatically
- Disagreements with VTS recommendations communicated promptly
- Anomalous situations detected reported to the VTS

## FAQ

Can the VTS issue binding orders to the Master?
In general the VTS provides information and traffic assistance; some specific configurations may involve traffic organisation, but the core principle, reaffirmed by IMO Guidelines, is that responsibility for the ship's course and speed always remains with the Master.
When can a coastal authority establish a VTS?
According to SOLAS Regulation V/12, when the volume of traffic or the degree of risk in the area justifies it, at the judgement of the competent Government.
What do the Guidelines in Res. A.1158(32) contain?
The purpose of the VTS, the regulatory and legal framework for its establishment, the roles and responsibilities of Governments, competent authorities, service providers and participating ships, and the qualification and training requirements for VTS personnel.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Bridge Resource Management Pilotage and Under Keel Clearance

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