By John Lee.
A Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) system for monitoring and regulating the movement of ships in Iraqi territorial waters has been launched by the Iraqi Supreme Maritime Authority. The system is designed to track vessel entry and exit, improve navigational safety, and support maritime and commercial activity.
According to the Ministry of Transport, the project was inaugurated with the participation of the Assistant Director General of the General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI), along with representatives from the Arab Gulf Academy for Maritime Studies and the leaderships of the Naval Force and Border Guard.
Ali Abd al-Latif al-Tamimi, Director General of the Iraqi Supreme Maritime Authority, said the project aligns with Ministry of Transport directives to develop technical and operational capabilities and enhance vessel monitoring. He noted the importance of Iraq's geographic position on the Shatt al-Arab and the Gulf, and the role of its ports in connecting the national economy to international markets.
Al-Tamimi added that the system would support regulatory procedures and information exchange, improve navigational and commercial traffic flow, and help counter illegal activities and protect vital installations and the marine environment. He said the system conforms to relevant international conventions, including the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
(Source: Ministry of Transport)
No comments yet.