Task Description

Task name :

Develop guidance to assist competent authorities for VTS establish an appropriate policy and regulatory framework to meet their obligations
Leading committee and working group owning the task: VTS WG 1
Tasks associated (*leading) :
Task Leader : Els Bogaert
Task Number : VTS-1.1.5
Standards : S1040 Vessel Traffic Services
Topic area : S1040.1 VTS Implementation
Task Description :

Develop guidance to assist competent authorities for VTS establish an appropriate policy and regulatory framework to meet their obligations

Objectives of the task :

To provide guidance to assist competent authorities for VTS establish an appropriate policy and regulatory framework to meet their obligations and also to ensure that VTS providers meet theirs.

Recommendation and/or guideline to assist competent authorities for VTS:

  • Establish a regulatory framework for establishing and operating VTS in accordance with relevant international conventions and IMO instruments, IALA standards and national law.
  • Authorize VTS providers and establish appropriate policy and regulatory mechanisms to ensure VTS providers continue to meet their obligations.
  • Ensure that VTS training is approved and VTS personnel are certified.
  • Demonstrate conformance with IALA standards and associated recommendations, guidelines, and model courses.

•Establish a compliance and enforcement framework with respect to violations of VTS regulatory requirements.

It is envisaged that such guidance would complement IALA Recommendation R0119 - Establishment of a VTS but focusing on the roles and responsibilities of a competent authority for VTS.
Expected outcome :

Recommendation and/or guideline to assist competent authorities for VTS
Compelling need :

Existing IALA guidance for the establishment and operation of VTS is largely focused on the delivery of VTS that is the VTS provider. Little guidance is currently available describing practices to assist competent authorities for VTS:

  • meet their obligations as described in IMO Resolution A.1158(32) Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services, and demonstrate conformance with IALA standards and associated recommendations, guidelines, and model courses specifically related to the establishment and operation of VTS.
Strategic Alignment :

O2 - Develop applicable international standards, recommendations and guidelines for adoption and use by its members and other relevant organizations or parties.
Scope : - IMO Resolution A.1158(32) Guidelines for vessel traffic services - IALA Standards and associated recommendations, guidelines and model courses specifically related to the establishment and operation of VTS.
Cybersecurity related :

No
Brief and concise description of the work : to be undertaken and programme mile-stones (where appropriate).

VTS54 - Review task, prepare guiding principles for completing the task and draft skeleton for the guidance document.

VTS55 + 56 - Draft guidance progressed.

Q1 2025 - IALA Workshop on the roles and responsibilities of competent authorities for VTS to assist preparation of the guidance.

VTS57 - Guideline finalized and forwarded to Council for approval.
Expected numbers of sessions for completion :
Session 54 Session 55 Session 56 Session 57 Session 58 Session 59 Session 60
v v v v + > >

Meaning of symbols for sessions :

v + x > <
Scheduled Progressed Not progressed Finalised On hold
Committee notes : Origins :

VTS53 (AMSA & VTS Chair)
Approved by Council (Council session/Date) : 0
Notes from the council :
Status (Text) : Ongoing
Status (Colour) :
On track
Remarks :

History of the task :

2024-11-12 12:00:05

2024-12-15 19:38:02

2025-02-12 15:03:57 VTSCC

2025-03-12 16:19:15 VTSTGL2

2025-03-18 16:09:32 VTSCC

2025-03-27 12:16:17 VTSWG1C

2025-03-31 11:13:18 VTSWG1C