# Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> Unlike passive navigation aids such as lighthouses or buoys, a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) performs active monitoring and coordination: port authorities and coast guards track vessel positions in real time, relay information on weather, hazards, and restricted areas, and manage traffic flow in congested or narrow waterways.

Unlike passive navigation aids such as lighthouses or buoys, a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) performs active monitoring and coordination: port authorities and coast guards track vessel positions in real time, relay information on weather, hazards, and restricted areas, and manage traffic flow in congested or narrow waterways. Masters receive continuously updated situational awareness that supports safe manoeuvring and efficient port-entry sequencing. VTS is mandatory in busy ports and straits under international maritime law, with the SOLAS Convention and IMO guidelines forming the regulatory backbone. Beyond collision prevention, VTS is integral to environmental protection and the coordination of emergency responses to maritime casualties.

**Source:** [https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Pages/VesselTrafficServices.aspx](https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Pages/VesselTrafficServices.aspx)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 102 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Pages/VesselTrafficServices.aspx |

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