ANALYSIS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICE IN BRAZILIAN PORTS

A study about the ports of Açu and Vitória

Abstract

This article is proposed to analyse the VTS implementation in Brazil from the perspective of two ports: Port of Vitoria and Port of Açu. Vitoria was chosen once it is the first public port in Brazil to deploy a VTMIS and Açu, the first certified VTS, has many specific characteristics each other. The methodology applied includes making interviews with notorious-knowledge professionals in the VTS area and bibliographic revision present in Brazil and worldwide, to know the features of vessel traffic service in Brazil, identify challenges at deployment and verify the expected and reached results, being a primarily qualitative survey. The found results embrace the perception of a reduction in the number of incidents and collisions, effectively contributing to the safety and efficiency of navigation, the safety of life at sea and the protection of the environment. Also, it was observed that the utilization of VTS as a strategic tool for attracting new clients and consolidating the existing clients through safety optics. It was noticed that Brazil shall progress in terms of implementation, employing it in high-flow areas, since the benefits are well-known. Challenges to workforce qualification for operators were identified in the survey. Finally, Açu and Vitoria were assigned the function of reference for other Brazilian ports, greeting many visits of interested people about the theme, contributing to VTS expansion in the country’s territory.