Port of Açu to invest in upgrades to Vessel Traffic Service

The Port of Açu, located in São João da Barra, in the northern part of the state of Rio de Janeiro, plans to invest around R$2 million over the next two years in improvements to its VTS Center (Vessel Traffic Service), the first implemented in Brazil, which celebrates ten years of operation in December of this year.

The investment plan includes updating and purchasing equipment, including new cameras to expand the image monitoring system, additional metocean sensors to track environmental conditions in the port’s maritime area, updates to information technology systems, furniture adjustments, and training for the VTS Center team, currently composed of 16 professionals.

Established with the purpose of increasing navigation safety and efficiency, contributing to the safety of life at sea, and supporting environmental protection, the VTS is capable of actively monitoring maritime traffic, interacting with vessels, and responding to situations within the service area. As part of the Emergency Operations and Response Center (CORE) of the Port of Açu, the VTS integrates with Corporate Security and Risk and Emergency Management in a single structure within the port complex.

“Our resources and processes are focused on operational continuity with an emphasis on safety, protection of life, environmental preservation, and asset integrity. Investing in research, development, and innovation, fostering continuous improvement, is essential to keep pace with the growing maritime access to Açu, which has increased at an average annual rate of 49% from 2015 to 2024 and is expected to reach around 8,000 in 2025,” says Luiz Gustavo Cruz, Port Control General Manager at the Port of Açu.

A highlight of the VTS Center is the strong female representation in its operation. The current team consists of a large majority of women, including the first VTS Operator in the country, Tauane Souto, who began her journey as a young apprentice and today serves as VTS Supervisor.

“I am very proud of my path within the VTS and for having opened the doors so that many others could follow the same path, taking on traditionally male roles. Together, we are responsible for ensuring the smooth daily operation of activities at the Port of Açu, upholding one of our core values, which is safety,” said Tauane.

The VTS operates in conjunction with the Port Management Information System (PMIS), a technological platform used to process information related to port management, such as vessel appointments for berthing, unberthing, and anchoring, port fee billing, and other administrative requirements.

Source: Porto do Açu

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