INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION
E
IMO
MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE
78th session
Agenda item 25
MSC 78/INF.16
19 March 2004
ENGLISH ONLY
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Turkish Straits Vessel Traffic Services
Submitted by Turkey
SUMMARY
Executive summary:
This document provides information on the Turkish Straits Vessels
Traffic Services (TSVTS) system.
Action to be taken:
Paragraph 15
Related documents:
MSC 69/INF.25, MSC 70/INF.21, MSC 77/26 (paragraph 25.37),
resolution A.827(19)
Introduction
1
Safety of navigation and security in the Turkish Straits, consisting of the Strait of
Istanbul, the Sea of Marmara and the Strait of Çanakkale, is vital to the Government of Turkey as
well as to the international maritime sector. As part of its continued efforts to enhance the
maritime security and navigational safety as well as to protect the surrounding cultural heritage,
marine environment, human life and property in the Turkish Straits, Turkey announced its
intention to establish a modern Vessel Traffic Services system at MSC 69 and provided brief
information to MSC 70 on her initial efforts to this end.
2
Turkey has completed the construction and staffing of the system in 2003. The System
was inaugurated for operational tests on 1 July 2003 as announced by Turkey at MSC 77. During
this initial period of six months, the system was tested to identify any possible inadequacies
related to its operation and management and to enhance the training level of the operators.
Following this trial period, the system has finally been put into operational service as of
30 December 2003.
Characteristics of the Turkish Straits
3
The narrow and winding shape of the Turkish Straits is more akin to that of a river. No
part of the Straits lies in high seas. They are located in Turkey’s internal waters. The Strait of
Istanbul is approximately 31 km long with a width varying from 700 metres to 1,500 metres and
is characterized by several sharp turns. The ships are bound to alter course in this Strait at least
12 times up to 80 degrees. Typical and unstable currents also prevail at these turns. Navigation
for a large ship around these sharp turns is therefore quite dangerous. Even medium size ships
encounter difficulties while navigating in these sections of the Strait of Istanbul. Weather
For reasons of economy, this document is printed in a limited number. Delegates are
kindly asked to bring their copies to meetings and not to request additional copies.
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conditions causing poor visibility due to thick fog, snow and rain and strong changing currents
reaching up to 7-8 knots are additional navigational difficulties in these narrow waterways.
4
The Strait of Istanbul is also unique as it runs right through the city of Istanbul, declared
as a "World Heritage” by UNESCO, with more than 12 million inhabitants. The shorelines of
Istanbul are densely populated. Vessels approach frequently as close as 50 metres to these
inhabited areas. Excluding the transit traffic, the leisure crafts and fishing vessels, the daily
domestic vessel movement alone in the Strait of Istanbul is more than 2,500. More than
2.5 million people are daily on the move at sea by intra-city ferries and other shuttle boats,
crossing from one side to another in Istanbul. It is also one of the rarest marine biological
corridors of the world, acting as a genetic bridge for marine life between the Black Sea and the
Mediterranean. The length of the Strait of Çanakkale is about 70 km, with a general width
ranging from 1,300 metres to 2,000 metres. Its geographic features are similar to those of the
Strait of Istanbul.
Increased risks to maritime security and safety
5
Around 50,000 vessels use the Turkish Straits annually and this figure is increasing each
year. Despite all measures taken, the Turkish Straits in general and the city of Istanbul in
particular, have been exposed to growing risks and serious dangers of extremely dense maritime
traffic. The number of oil tankers and other dangerous cargo vessels passing through the Strait of
Istanbul rose by about 90% in the last seven years alone from 4,248 in 1996 to 8,097 in 2003.
Similarly, the amount of hazardous cargo increased from 60.1 million tons in 1996 to
134.6 million tons in 2003, representing an increase of about 125%. This vast increase in the
number of vessels and the amount of hazardous cargo in recent years, has caused a considerable
growth of the risk of maritime disasters in the Turkish Straits which will entail grave
consequences on the surrounding human and marine environment at incomparable proportions.
Numerous tragic accidents that have occurred in the Straits in the past are evidential in this
regard.
Establishment, operational objectives and services of the TSVTS system
6
Following the completion of its construction in early 2003, the TSVTS system has been
inaugurated in three phases: “Phase 1”, which started on 1 July 2003 and lasted six months,
included the trial operation and testing of all its technical components and capabilities. This
testing period also involved intensive on-the-job training for the operating personnel and a
thorough performance evaluation with a view to identifying and alleviating any inadequacies
related to the operation and management. “Phase 2” has started on 30 December 2003 at
1200 UTC (1400 LT) as the System was put into operational service for the Straits of Istanbul
and Çanakkale. The final stage, “Phase 3”, is expected to start before the end of 2005 and is
intended to extend the current coverage of the system to the Sea of Marmara.
7
The main objective of the TSVTS is to improve maritime security and navigational safety
as well as to protect the environment and human life and property in the Turkish Straits. Its
operation is neither intended nor designed to increase or decrease the number of passages through
the Turkish Straits.
8
Currently, the TSVTS provides three main services: traffic information, navigational
assistance and traffic organization under the existing regulations. The TSVTS also renders
assistance to the Turkish MRCC for search and rescue operations. A “User’s Guide” containing
detailed information was published in Turkish and English and circulated prior to “Phase 2” in
order to introduce the TSVTS system to all its users. All necessary information have been made
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available to the relevant national and international institutions, including the Turkish
Hydrographic Office, British Admiralty and IALA. All these services are implemented through
operational procedures prepared in accordance with 1998 Turkish Straits Maritime Traffic
Regulations and with IMO Resolutions A.857(20) and A.827(19). Detailed information on the
system procedures and services can be found in the “User’s Guide”.
TSVTS system structures
9
The TSVTS system consists of 2 VTS centres, 13 observation towers (equipped with
x-band microwave radars and CCTV/IR cameras), VHF/MF/HF and Inmarsat-C communication
units, integrated AIS base stations, dGPS reference stations, VHF/DF stations, doppler current
sensors, surface water measurement sensors, salinity temperature profilers, automatic weather
stations, record and replay units. All components of the system are fully automated and remote
controlled by the operator workstations in the VTS centres.
10
At present, there are two VTS areas, which are controlled by two separate VTS centres.
Istanbul VTS Area, 55 NM in length, comprises of the Strait of Istanbul and its approaches from
both directions. Çanakkale VTS Area, 78 NM in length, comprises of the Strait of Çanakkale and
its approaches from both directions. The traffic separation scheme in the Marmara Sea will be
integrated in the present VTS coverage in “Phase 3” by 2005, following the construction of three
additional observation towers for radar, VHF and AIS coverage.
Staffing, training and certification
11
All relevant IMO resolutions, guidelines and IALA recommendations were taken into
account during the recruitment, training and certification phases of VTS operators and
supervisors. The minimum standard to become a VTS operator for TSVTS is to hold a master
mariner certificate of competency.
Recruitment, training and certification flowchart
APTITUDE / ASSESSMENT
RECRUITMENT
VTS OPERATOR
V-103 / 1
BASIC TRAINING
V-103 / 2
ADVANCEMENT TRAINING
EXAMINATION AND
VTS OPERATOR CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION AND
SUPERVISOR’S ENDORSMENT
V-103 / 3
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
V-103 / 3
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
IN SERVICE TRAINING
Facilities & Equipment
IN SERVICE TRAINING
Facilities & Equipment
LOCAL GEOGRAPHY
Ports / Tugs / Berthing
LOCAL GEOGRAPHY
Ports / Tugs / Berthing
ENDORSMENT OF
CERTIFICATION LOG
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Staffing and watchkeeping standards
Staffing/Centre
Istanbul
VTSC
Çanakkale
VTSC
29
10
1
1
41
Number of operators
Number of senior operators and supervisors
Heads of VTS Centres
Operational staff in management
TOTAL
23
9
1
1
34
Watchkeeping standards
Average age all operators (n=75)
Average years in possession of master’s license
Number of VTS operators per console
Weekly working hours of VTS operators
Duty period (Four shifts with each shift serving 12 hours)
Maximum working hours at monitor
35.4
6.2
8
42
12
2
Operational statistics (January and February 2004)
12
In its first two months of operation, the TSVTS has been quite successful in rendering the
required services effectively in conformity with its main objective, namely the security and safety
of navigation, environment, human life and property. The navigational assistance service
provided by the TSVTS has particularly been very instrumental for the vessels facing
navigational hazards during their passage through the Straits of Istanbul and Çanakkale. During
this time frame, the system has also had the opportunity to test itself against the particularly
unfavourable hydro-meteorological conditions, recorded as worst in the recent years, which in
some occasions, led to complete disruption of maritime traffic in the Straits.
Monthly Vessel Passage in January (years 2000-2004)
Years
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
ISTANBUL STRAIT
Tankers
TOTAL
469
498
548
585
731
3284
3413
3296
3404
3751
ÇANAKKALE STRAIT
Tankers
TOTAL
642
603
564
580
671
3158
3155
3096
3134
3293
Monthly Vessel Passage in Febuary (years 2000-2004)
Years
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
ISTANBUL STRAIT
Tankers
TOTAL
428
497
498
496
789
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3397
3255
3274
2888
3802
ÇANAKKALE STRAIT
Tankers
TOTAL
635
555
547
500
677
3281
2911
2987
2774
3415
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Average pre-entry waiting period for ships passing through the Istanbul Strait
(January and February 2004)
Month
Direction
Number of ships (including tankers)
Number of average waiting hours
JANUARY
Southbound
Northbound
1893
5.9
1858
12.7
FEBRUARY
Southbound
Northbound
1859
10.6
1943
16.7
Conclusion
13
The initial data above clearly indicates that the TSVTS has increased the efficiency of the
traffic organization without compromising on the safety rules and regulations. Comparative
monthly vessel passage statistics for January and February for the years 2000 through 2004
display an increase in the number of vessels passing through the Straits of Istanbul and
Çanakkale, albeit such increase (or decrease) has not been designated as an operational aim for
the system. These results, however, must be attributed to a proper and efficient traffic
organization achieved by the TSVTS.
14
The efficiency and success of the services provided by the TSVTS system and its positive
effects on the safety of navigation in the Turkish Straits during this short period has confirmed
once again the crucial importance of the VTS for the Turkish Straits. The Government of Turkey
shall continue to ensure the quality of the services by updating the technological infrastructure
and continued systematic training of the operational personnel and inform all users and IALA
accordingly. It is believed, however, that maximizing navigational safety and maritime security
and minimizing risks needs cooperation and full compliance by shipmasters during their passage
through the Turkish Straits and their making use of pilotage service, as is strongly recommended
by IMO resolution A.827(19).
Action requested of the Committee
15
The Committee is kindly requested to note the above information and Turkey’s best
efforts for the successful launching of the TSVTS system in the Turkish Straits.
__________
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