Splitting VTS Sector in Amsterdam to enhance Waterway Safety

Traffic guidance in a geographically defined area

To ensure safe passage for vessels, VTS areas have been established. VTS stands for Vessel Traffic Service, Milembe, Harbour Master at Port of Amsterdam, explains:

"A VTS sector is a geographically defined waterway area where skippers receive traffic guidance via VHF radio. The traffic operator monitors all vessel movements in the sector. Skippers only see their own ship and immediate surroundings; they cannot see what's coming around a bend or from a harbour basin. Using radar and cameras, the traffic operator has a full overview of the area and can provide guidance."

Additional VHF channel

Upon entering a VTS area, skippers must report on the designated VHF channel. From IJmuiden up to Schellingwoude, several channels are in use. "For the area between the Oranjesluizen and the Westhaven, we currently use VHF 4, Sector Amsterdam," says Milembe. "But with increasing traffic on the water, so much communication is taking place on this channel that skippers sometimes struggle to get through. That poses a risk to nautical safety, because it can mean they are unable to report for several minutes."

That is why it was decided to split the VTS area Sector Amsterdam and add an extra channel: Sector City, VHF 5. Starting on 30 September at 06:00, skippers navigating between the Coen Tunnel and the Oranjesluizen/Schellingwoude must report on this new VHF channel. "For skippers this means one additional report, but with an extra channel there is now more capacity on the radio, making it easier to communicate calmly and safely with the traffic operator."

Between the Coenhaven and the Westhaven, VHF 4 will remain in use under the new name Sector Westhaven. The other existing VTS sectors will also be renamed for consistency. For example, "Verkeersdienst Noordzeekanaal" (VHF 3) will become Sector Noordzeekanaal, and "Haven IJmuiden (VHF 61)" will become Sector IJmuiden.

View the map with VTS sectors

Workload for traffic operators

The split will also ease the workload for traffic operators. "It was often too busy for our traffic operators," says Milembe. "They had to monitor multiple hotspots - areas with heavy inbound and outbound traffic - at the same time, such as the Afgesloten IJ and the Jan van Riebeeckhaven/Mercuriushaven. By introducing Sector City, the workload is better distributed and more manageable."

Preparations behind the scenes

The change to VTS sectors required extensive preparation. "First, we needed to recruit and train additional traffic operators, and such training takes nine to twelve months. Technical adjustments also had to be made to enable the split. And of course, all waterway users must be properly informed." Skippers have been informed through various channels. In addition, starting this week, electronic information boards have been placed along the IJ and the North Sea Canal to further highlight the change.

Questions?

Please contact our Traffic Control department, Harbour Master's Division at +31 (0)20 523 46 00 (option 1). More information can also be found in the official Notice to Shipping.