€3.5 million ports information system operational

The Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS) and the digital CCTV security infrastructure projects are now fully operational.

The Malta Maritime Authority's Ports and Coastal VTMIS project cost €3.5 million while the CCTV project cost €400,000. Both projects were part funded by EU.

VTMIS is mandatory to commercial shipping and the port community through international and EU legislation. The system is complemented by the electronic port notification and ship clearance system (Portnet Malta) that operates over the Internet.

The MMA is the designated VTS authority in Malta. The Armed Forces is the designated coastal VTS station while the ports VTS is managed by the Ports Directorate of the MMA.

Both stations, one located at AFM Headquarters, Luqa and the ports VTS at Marsa have the capacity for the exchange of information. The VTS replaces the previous service provided by the Palace Tower Signal Station, commonly known as It-Turretta. The objective of the VTMIS is primarily aimed at monitoring shipping and to provide vessel traffic management to shipping within the national waters and in ports.

The Malta Port and Coastal Vessel Traffic Services involved the setting up of a network of eight radars, automatic identification system stations, VHF communications, VHF direction finders and weather stations around Malta. This system provides MMA and AFM with the means to monitor and manage ports and coastal vessel traffic respectively and automatically sends ship notifications to the European Maritime Safety Agency through the national Safe Sea Net system, which is obligatory to all EU member states, with Malta being one of the first to implement this system.

This surveillance equipment also helps to curtail illegal activities at sea, as well as to assist the authorities during search and rescue operations and dealing with illegal immigration. It is also aimed to enhance the safety and security and increase efficiency of maritime traffic within the ports, approaches and territorial waters of Malta.

The digital CCTV security monitoring system comprises 12 cameras linked via a wireless network to a newly-built control room at the MMA's Maritime Trade Centre in Marsa to monitor six ports in Malta and Gozo namely Marsaxlokk, Grand Harbour, Marsamxett, St Paul's Bay, Ċirkewwa and Mġarr.

MMA chairman Marc Bonello said the Vessel Traffic Management Information System is used primarily for the monitoring of over 16,000 vessels arriving and departing Maltese ports, waiting areas and bunkering areas outside port every year.

It is also used to monitor inter-island ferry traffic and other vessels operating within coastal waters.