Experts from State Enterprise ‘Port Infrastructure’ (SEPI) participated in the 12th symposium on maritime safety and vessel traffic information services, which took place from September 10 to 14 in Istanbul, Turkey. The forum was organized by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) and was attended by nearly 350 delegates from Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) worldwide.
The event’s program, themed “Beyond Borders,” focused on the capabilities of modern vessel traffic management and control systems for development, both in terms of implementing new technological solutions and their role in introducing electronic-based services for maritime transport.
Among the new challenges discussed were questions regarding the legal status and potential of communication technologies in developing new transport destinations for shipping in the Arctic region. The symposium in Istanbul provided an opportunity for direct contact between port authorities of the international association’s member states and leading manufacturers of specialized equipment for traffic control.
State Enterprise ‘Port Infrastructure’ fulfills the Republic of Bulgaria’s commitments in the field of vessel traffic control and the provision of information services for navigation. As a beneficiary under Operational Programme ‘Transport’ 2007 – 2013, SEPI is implementing a project for the development of the Vessel Traffic Management Information System – VTMIS.