Port of Tyne Launches Next-Generation Vessel Traffic Services System

The Port of Tyne recently implemented a next-generation Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system on July 1. This system aims to enhance VTS operator situational awareness and aid in decision making. The VTS system adheres to the standards set by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) and covers the waters of the Port of Tyne in the UK. It extends coverage from six nautical miles out at sea to three nautical miles inland, utilizing the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to extend coverage up to seven nautical miles along the river Tyne.

The Port of Tyne is equipped with two VTS centers, with the primary center operating two positions around the clock. In the event of an emergency, a backup position is available at a remote location. Monitoring of vessel traffic within the port is done using two Hensholdt X-band radars and two Saab R60 AIS base stations. These base stations are well-equipped to handle the next generation of AIS, known as the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES). Additionally, the area is fitted with two Bosch CCTV cameras that provide further vessel details, controlled by radar tracking.

The CEO of Tidalis, Ivo Tummers, stated that as an innovation hub for the UK’s port modernization plan Maritime 2050, the Port of Tyne has strong digitalization ambitions. The new VTS system, with its web-oriented architecture, aligns perfectly with the port’s efforts to streamline operations. The port’s control over its own AIS base stations grants them access to advanced functionality typically only available through professional AIS services.

One of the key features of the new system is the availability of virtual Aids to Navigation (AtoN), which allows VTS operators to dynamically create restricted zones and virtual warning buoys that appear automatically on ships’ electronic navigation charts. According to Dillon Brown, Marine Manager of the Port of Tyne, the implementation of the new system has significantly elevated the port’s operational capabilities and provided them with a robust traffic view they can rely on.

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