The role of VTS operators in new maritime safety situations: when conventional and autonomous ships meet

In order to ensure safe maritime traffic along their coast and fairways to harbours and port terminals coastal States establish Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) worldwide. Their primary role is to monitor and organize safe and efficient vessel traffic flow and to protect the marine environment. For example, VTS monitors ship-to-ship communication while providing useful information and instructions to ships. The main tool for realizing safe and efficient traffic flow is communication. By using VHF calls to all or specific ships VTS operators provide information, warnings, advice or even an instruction for crews onboard to take into account in their decision making when navigating in coastal waters and fairways. With the introduction of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) the situation for the operators may change and may even affect their behaviour. A first pilot study has been carried out in a full mission VTS simulator with active VTS operators to get insight of the experts’ views on the new situation.

Keywords: Maritime, Safety of Navigation, Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), e-Navigation, Digitalization, Autonomous Ships (MASS)