Monitoring vessel traffic at ports boosted

PNG Ports Corporation Ltd has aided its vessel traffic services (VTS) team with up-to-date technologies to continue monitor vessels moving in and out of port limits.
VST supervisor Samuel Lamon said his team utilises the automatic information system combined with the global positioning system, Avigilon, and marine transceivers to operate.
“We are a small team of four, working 24 hours to provide a service essential to the operations of PNG Ports,” he said.
“Part of the VTS function is to monitor and regulate vessels moving in and out of port limits.
“Additionally, data collected from this is beneficial to the company in terms of billing vessels for anchorage and berthage.
“There are shortfalls in our role but there is no better way to contribute to nation building than ensuring a secure platform for business,” he said.
Lamon said they also monitored ships travelling in and out of the declared ports, harbour precincts and provided assistance during emergency situations such as ship distress calls, often guiding them to safety.
Furthermore, the VTS team are also in charge of monitoring other port precincts within PNG Ports’ jurisdiction, exercising its responsibility as the country’s designated port authority.
It provides information and traffic organisation services with navigational assistance.
Lamon said the new equipment would aid the VTS team to communicate with ship masters and participants within the authority’s port precincts.
“We also use four high definition VTS cameras to provide added surveillance and vessel monitoring in Lae and Motukea,” he added.