WORKSHOP ON VTS COMPETENT AUTHORITIES

IALA, in association with the Italian Coast Guard, is hosting a workshop in Rome between 20 – 24 January 2025, to support and contribute to the development of guidance to assist competent authorities for VTS to meet their international obligations for establishing and operating VTS.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this workshop is to:

Facilitate discussion and active engagement to identify key subject matter areas for developing guidance to assist competent authorities establish an appropriate policy and regulatory framework to ensure both themselves and VTS providers meet their respective obligations.
Identify gaps in existing IALA documentation with regards to the role of competent authorities and practices that should be considered.
Provide the opportunity to broaden the participation and engagement in preparing guidance for competent authorities.

Technical Programme Italy 2025 v.3.0 20.12.24 Download

Background

Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) are recognized internationally as a navigational safety measure through the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea 74/78 (SOLAS). Specifically:

IMO Resolution A.1158(32) Vessel Traffic Services that describes the purpose of VTS, the regulatory and legal framework for establishing and operating VTS, the roles and responsibilities of Contracting Governments, competent authorities, VTS providers and participating ships and sets out the qualifications and training requirements for VTS personnel.
The IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) where Member States have the primary responsibility to establish and maintain an adequate and effective system to discharge their obligations as flag, port and/or coastal States emanating from applicable international law.
IALA standards including recommendations, guidelines and model courses that specifically relate to the establishment and operation of VTS, as described in IMO resolution A.1158(32).

Existing IALA guidance for the establishment and operation of VTS is largely focused on the delivery of VTS, that is the responsibilities of VTS providers. However, there is little guidance available describing practices to assist Contracting Governments and competent authorities, such as:

Implementing a regulatory framework for establishing and operating VTS in accordance with relevant international conventions and IMO instruments, IALA standards and national law.
Authorizing VTS providers.
Establishing appropriate policy and regulatory mechanisms to ensure VTS providers meet their obligations.
Ensuring that VTS training is approved and VTS personnel are certified.
Demonstrating conformance with IALA standards and associated recommendations, guidelines, and model courses.
Establishing a compliance and enforcement framework with respect to violations of VTS regulatory requirements.

Topics

The workshop will involve working groups exploring the following topics:

Policy Framework – the overarching structure for establishing laws, rules, and regulation for VTS. An effective policy framework should clearly document the processes to be followed.
Legal and Regulatory Framework – national law and regulatory framework to regulate:
- VTS providers, including authorization, certification, and auditing.
- VTS training organizations, including accreditation, approval of model courses and auditing.
- Masters of vessels to provide information and reports required by VTS providers and to comply with their instructions.

Assessment / Auditing – associated with authorizing VTS providers and accrediting VTS

Goal

IALA

WORKSHOP ON VTS COMPETENT AUTHORITIES