Vessel Traffic Service

Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is an international service that is managed in Norway by the Norwegian Coastal Administration to improve safety at sea and protect the environment. The maritime traffic control centres prevent incidents and accidents by monitoring and regulating ship traffic in defined areas along the Norwegian coast.

News

  • Compulsory pilotage

    Compulsory Pilotage is regulated in the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations. These regulations state what vessels are subject to compulsory pilotage and the waters where this requirement applies.

  • Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)

    The Norwegian Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) offers three types of services based on national regulations and international recommendations:

  • Safety Fee

    The safety fee is authorised by Act no. 19 of 17 April 2009 relating to ports and fairways (Section 24).

  • AIS Requirements

    The Norwegian Coastal Administration has established a national network and system for receiving AIS signals from ships along the Norwegian coast in accordance with EU Directive 2002/59/EC on establishing a joint European traffic monitoring and information system for vessel traffic.

  • Pilot Exemption Certificate

    Vessels over a certain size that operate within the sea boundary are subject to compulsory pilotage, depending on whether the vessel is transporting hazardous cargo or not. Vessels that operate with a pilot exemption certificate can be exempted from compulsory pilotage.

  • Report irregularities and obstructions

    Many of the permanent navigational aids along the coast are automated and unmanned. It is therefore important that mariners notify the Norwegian Coastal Administration of any irregularities in the navigational installations.

  • LRIT Reporting

    It is mandatory to report information about new vessels and name changes for vessels to the Norwegian Coastal Administration. This information must be submitted by using the Form for Reporting LRIT Information.

  • Radio navigation (DGPS)

    The Norwegian Coastal Administration's Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) service transmits correction signals to GPS navigation equipment on board ships. The DGPS service gives greater accuracy of the GPS position that is read and better signal quality for the system.