Slide Technical Visits

The Centre for Coordination and Control of Maritime Traffic and Safety (VTS)

Schedules:
  • Tuesday, 15 November 2022: 9:00 – 9:30 (Departure: 8:30) and 9:30 – 10:00 (Departure: 9:00)
  • Wednesday, 16 November 2022: 9:00 – 9:30 (Departure: 8:30)
  • Thursday, 17 November 2022: 9:00 – 9:30 (Departure: 8:30)
Limit per visit: 20 pax
Place: Torre VTS
Fee: 30,00€
Distance: app. 8 km from CCL

Important information

  • A shuttle bus from Lisboa Congress Centre will be provided. Please be at the Technical Tour
    meeting point 10min before departure.
  • This tour is barrier-free accessible.
  • Due to the existence of secure areas during the tour, all participants must bring ID Card to validate the access at the entrance prior to the visit.
  • The provider reserves the right to cancel this Technical Tour due to a low participant number. In this
    case, all payments already made will be refunded.

DESCRIPTION:

 

The Centre for Coordination and Control of Maritime Traffic and Safety, installed in the VTS (Vessel Traffic System) Tower in Algés, integrates the pilotage, the coordination and control of traffic and the port environment safety area.

It coordinates and controls navigation within the jurisdiction area of APL, S.A., with the Vasco da Gama Bridge as the upstream limit and the entire approach area to the Port of Lisbon downstream; it provides information and advises ships sailing in the Tagus estuary or approaching it, within a radius of up to 16.5 nautical miles, centred on the VTS.

The VTS is designed to promote safe and efficient traffic, contribute to the improvement of navigation safety conditions, control the ships’ entrance into and departure from the port, plan the stays of commercial ships in the port, enable the assisted navigation system, collaborate in safeguarding human life at sea, collaborate in actions to protect the port environment and prevent illegal activities.

With this system, the Port of Lisbon has the most modern technology to provide the support service for port navigation. It integrates the most current and sophisticated equipment/software to control and track maritime shipping, such as Radars, VHF, AIS, DF, GMDSS, Marigraphs and Meteorological stations, supporting and giving crucial information for an excellent service. Currently, the VTS has a set of stations connected to each other by its own autonomous network links, keeping all the information on state-of-the-art dedicated servers, operating 24 hours / 365 days, ensuring data security and operational readiness.

This tour provides insight into the Centre for Coordination and Control of Maritime Traffic and Safety operations, located at the Tagus estuary’s entrance. It will include a brief description of the coordination and control of traffic in the port environment safety area and a short visit to the VTS control room.