Page 208 - Rules of Navigation2020

CHAPTER X

THE SUEZ CANAL VESSEL TRAFFIC

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ( SC-VTMS )

Overview:

Suez Canal Authority always aims to achieve the safety of transiting ships through the Suez

Canal. With a view to securing the highest standards of safety to vessels passing through the
Canal, SCA stepped forward to execute a giant project to upgrade VTMS in order to keep up

with the latest technological developments. The project conforms to the international
regulations stipulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concerning the system

of traffic in navigational channels.
The system Increases the standards of safety of vessels transiting the Canal through various
networks (Radars – AIS - surveillance Cameras) which are providing complete surveillance

and tracking of all vessels throughout the Canal and its approaches at Port Said and Suez
anchorage area, the VTMS provides the following services:

(1) Automatic surveillance and tracking of vessel arriving at SC approaches (15 miles faraway)
until anchorage in the waiting areas.
(2) Automatic determination of arrival times at ports.

(3) Continuous Automatic tracking and monitoring of vessel's position, speed and separation
distances for all vessels transiting the SC.

(4) Providing the SCA Port management control centers at Port Said and Port Tewfik as well
as Ismailia main management control office, with sufficient instantaneous information

about vessels transiting the Canal, by means of displaying complete radar, AIS and Camera
pictures of the whole Canal and detailed vessels information.

(5) Providing automatic display system for pilots at all signal station (signal state board) which
displays his arrival time (Passage), meteorological data, and emergency information.
(6) Participating in environment protection by decreasing the number of accidents in the Canal

and dealing with them in the proper way in case they occur.
(7) Providing an efficient and quick means of communication with vessels arriving at ports and

with pilots on board vessels transiting the Canal .
(8) This system secures the highest standard of safety of vessels transiting the SC. Consolidates
the trust of SC world users, the International Chamber of shipping and the world maritime

organizations of the safety of transit and the outstanding performance of the SCA.

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