Operating a local port service

Guidance for mariners and port stakeholders on the difference between a vessel traffic service (VTS) and a local port service.

What is a local port service?

Local port services are implemented by local, state or territory governments to assist in the management of a port. They provide information relating to entry and departure such as:

berthing
pilot arrangements
line handling arrangements
meteorological conditions
hydrological conditions
status of aids to navigation
local warnings and restrictions.

They also relay information from other allied services to support port operations such as:

berth and mooring details
waste handling arrangements
fuel/bunkers
crane and other cargo handling arrangements
provisioning
water supply
customs and immigration
ISPS information
reporting formalities.

What’s the difference between a VTS and a local port service?

International framework

SOLAS is the international convention for the implementation and operation of a VTS.

There is no international convention for local port services.

Legislative framework

Australia has implemented its obligations under SOLAS in the Navigation Act 2012 (the Act), which establishes AMSA as the competent authority for VTS in Australia and allows making of regulations in relation to VTS.

Marine Order 64 (Vessel traffic services) is the regulation that provides for VTS for Australia. It sets out the arrangements for AMSA to regulate:

VTS providers including authorisation, certification and auditing
VTS training organisations including accreditation, approval of model courses and auditing
how masters must report to and comply with instructions from VTS providers.

VTSs are authorised under the Act providing they can meet the responsibilities of a VTS provider as mentioned in paragraph 5.3 of IMO Resolution A.1158(32) Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services. They also need to meet the normative provisions of International Association for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) standards specifically related to the establishment and operation of vessel traffic services.

Local port services are not recognised under the Act and are not required to comply with any international standards.

Capability

A VTS has capability to:

generate a comprehensive overview of traffic in its service area combined with all traffic influencing factors
compile a traffic image to enable staff to evaluate situations and make decisions accordingly
monitor ship traffic and interact with ships to provide information or issue advice, warnings and instructions.

A VTS provides information to ships:

on factors that may influence ship movements and assist onboard decision-making
to manage ship traffic to ensure the safety and efficiency of ship movements
to respond to developing unsafe situations.

Local port services are not required to have the capabilities of a VTS.

Staff qualifications and training

A VTS must conform to international standards for qualifications and training such as IALA Standards for Training and Certification of VTS Personnel and associated recommendations.

Local port services are not required to conform to international training and qualifications standards.

Best practices when operating a local port service

IALA provides the following best practice guidance so mariners and other port stakeholders are clear on what they can expect from a local port service.

Identifier

To ensure mariners know if they’re talking to a local port service or a VTS and to avoid any possible confusion, it is recommended that:

services not authorised as a VTS should not use 'VTS' in their name identifier
local port services should clearly show they are not a VTS by using a 'name identifier' and ‘location’ suffix or prefix to identify themselves when they communicate with masters and stakeholders e.g. 'Port Z LPS'.

Promulgation

The details of any local service provided by an entity should be clearly described and promulgated in the appropriate navigational publications e.g. the Admiralty List of Radio Signals (ALRS).

Information promulgated should not contain text that implies an entity is authorised as VTS when it is not, which may cause confusion to masters, allied services, and other stakeholders.

Other considerations

An entity operating a local port service should consider:

the legal framework they operate under, and
possible implications of providing information to vessels in the event of a shipping incident where staff may have failed to carry out their duty competently.

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