IMOC / VTMIS BEST PRACTICE ALBANIA International Conference SAFE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY MARITIME AND INLAND WATERWAYS Mantua, Italy 31.01.2013
Albania is situated in the south-east of Europe and covers 28,748 square kilometres bounded by Montenegro and Kosovo in the north, the former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south. Albania lies on the eastern of the Adriatic Sea opposite the heel of Italy. The country has 2,821,977 inhabitants according to Census of 2011, of which approximately 700,000 live in the capital Tirana. The most convenient form of access to Albania is by air to Rinas Airport situated 15 km from Tirana. Ferry services to Italy operate from Durres and Vlora harbours. A ferry service also operates between the Greek island of Corfu and Saranda.
Albania is connected to the following Seas: The Adriatic Sea, which is bordered by Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Albania The Ionian Sea, which is bordered by Italy, Albania, Greece
The six Adriatic coastal States, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro and Slovenia, asked IMO to declare the Adriatic Sea a particularly sensitive sea area (PSSA). Protection of the Adriatic Sea against oil pollution incidents, especially major ones, and the capability to efficiently respond to these, is particularly important for all coastal countries which consider the health of the marine environment, including the coast with all its natural and economic resources, as an element of principal importance for their sustainable development. Main initiative among the Adriatic member state relevant to the environmental protection is the IAI (Iniziativa Adriatico-Ionica), that started with a workshop on safety and development in Italy (Ancona) the 19-20 may 2000 attended by Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers of the six Adriatic countries (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy and Slovenia).
Ships can call at the following main Albania ports: Port of Durres Port of Romano Port of Vlora Port of Saranda Port of Shengjin
Port of Durrës Durres is the main national port of Albania. It is centrally located and is roughly 35 kilometres from Tirana. Its enclosed harbour can accommodate fully loaded vessels with +9 meter draft. The port is entered through a 4 km long access channel. It is reported that considerable maintenance dredging is required each year to clear an average 30 cm of sedimentation. Plans are underway to increase the depth of the approach channel and portions of the basin to accommodate vessels of 10 to 10.5 meter draft.
Master Harbour Durres Area covered: Anchorage area and Porto Romano Jetty. Personnel: 8 inspectors and 1 harbour master officer. There is one officer standing on watch during 24/7. In addition, this watch is backed up by a second officer dealing with site situations.
Port of Vlorë It is the 2 nd most important port in Albania in terms of cargo and passengers handled, located around 90 km to the south of the Durres port and it has been defined as the 2 nd entry gate to corridor VIII. Although Vlora Bay is deep, the port is constrained by a shallow depth that limits the size of the vessels that can use its facilities to -5.5m. Vlora is the nation s major export port for crude oil about 200 thousand tons in 2008. Both the imports of petroleum products including LPG and exports of crude are now handled at the new Petrofilera terminal north of the city; a new port that opened to traffic in June 2009 to grant the Italian investor Petrolifera Italo to build, operate and transfer (BOT) the Vlora coastal terminal which would store LPG, crude oil, and its refined products for a 30 yrs period.
Maritime trade
Country inwards outwards 2010 inwards % outwards % Albania 2,740 1,430 4,170 65.71% 34.29% Bulgaria 11,800 11,146 22,946 51.43% 48.57% Greece 74,200 50,200 124,400 59.65% 40.35% Italy 324,500 169,591 494,091 65.68% 34.32% Romania 16,900 21,222 38,122 44.33% 55.67% Slovenia 10,300 4,291 14,591 70.59% 29.41% Croatia 14,300 10,029 24,329 58.78% 41.22% SEE countries 454,740 267,909 722,649 62.93% 37.07% Inwards and outwards port activities in 2010 per country (ktons) and in percentage
Country liquid bulk goods dry bulk goods large container Ro - Ro mobile units other cargo trade 2010 Albania 1,150 1,030 968 821 1,653 5,622 Bulgaria 10,004 9,133 1,514 229 2,065 22,945 Greece 57,224 31,100 13,684 17,416 4,976 124,400 Italy 217,400 69,173 83,995 88,936 34,586 494,090 Romania 10,293 18,680 4,956 0 4,193 38,122 Slovenia 2,743 6,274 3,648 379 1,547 14,591 Croatia 10,413 10,218 1,460 633 1,606 24,330 total SEE Ktons 309,227 145,608 110,225 108,414 50,626 724,100 Total SEE % 43% 20% 15% 15% 7% Table on gross weight by cargo type in 2010
Main future infrastructure development The main programme in the SEE area related to the infrastructure development are: the SEETO program, involving member state such as Governments of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia and Kosovo. South East Europe Transport Observatory (SEETO) is a regional transport organization established by the Memorandum of Understanding for the development of the Core Regional Transport Network (MoU) signed 11th June 2004 by the Governments of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo and the European Commission. The aim of the SEETO is to promote cooperation on the development of the main and ancillary infrastructure on the multimodal SEE Core Regional Transport Network and to promote and enhance local capacity for the implementation of investment programmes, management and data collection and analysis on the Core Regional Transport Network. In January 2013 SEETO released the Multi Annual Plan 2013-2017 (MAP). It gives an overall overview of the entire transport system and guidelines for general transport and socio-economic development of the South East European region, ensuring its full connectivity with TEN-T. www.seetoint.org
Stakeholder list 1. Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Tirana www.mppt.gov.al 2. Durres Port Authority www.apdurres.com.al Mob: +355 69 20 44644 3. Maritime Administration, Durres www.dpdetare.gov.al 4. Inter-institutional Maritime Operations Center, Durres www.mod.gov.al 5. Port of Vlore sh.a., www.portofvlore.com 6. Port of Sarande sh.a www.portisarande.com.al 7. Port of Shengjin sh.a www.portofshengjin.com
8. Master Harbor Durres www.dpdetare.gov.al 9. Master Harbor Vlore 10. Master Harbor Sarande 11. Master Harbor Shengjin 12. University Ismail Qemali Vlore www.univlora.edu.al 13. Polytechnic University of Tirana www.upt.al 14. Company LIBURNET 1 Sh.p.k. Durres E-mail: liburnet1@yahoo.com 15. Company EGNATIA-1 Sh.p.k. Durres Email: egnatia1@yahoo.com. 16. The Petrolifera Italy- Albania sh.a. Vlorë pia@gruppopir.com 17. ROMANO PORT.sh.a Durres www.romanoport.com.al
As an example of best practices in Albania are chosen the following: Establishment by Decision of Council of Ministers (DCM) No. 954 dated 30.09.2009 of the Maritime Operational Inter-institutional Centre (MOIC-QNOD). The centre is an Integrated System for the Surveillance of the Albanian Maritime Area which acts as/on behalf of national competent authorities, aiming to assure a better organization, planning and commanding of maritime operations, in accordance with the international and national maritime legislation providing so interrelation among governmental entities having responsibilities and interests in maritime area management. The Centre covers the surveillance of maritime traffic through its radars and the three operational offices respectively at Shengjin, Vlore and Saranda. Establishment in the near future of Vessel Traffic Services/Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System (VTS/VTMIS). VTS /VTMIS is technical, legal, and institutional setup by competent authorities, facilitating systematic monitoring of vessel movements and their physical and information tracking, aiming to provide three principal services: to aid the mariner in his safe use of the sea, to afford him unhindered access to pursue commercial and leisure activities and to contribute to keeping the seas and the adjacent environment free from pollution. The service should have the capability to interact with the traffic and to respond to traffic situations developing in the VTS area.
Legal framework From the legal point of view, the international standards already applied in IMOC and to be followed while establishing the VTS / VTMIS Centre are: International Convention Prevention of pollution from ships at sea, Marpol 1973/78 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS 1974/78 IALA Recommendation V-125 On The use and presentation of symbols at a VTS Centre (including AIS) Edition 2 December 2004; (International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities IALA Recommendation V-127 On Operational Procedures for Vessel Traffic Services Edition 1 June 2004; IALA Recommendation V-128 On Operational and Technical Performance Requirements for VTS Equipment Edition 3.0 June 2007; IALA Recommendation V-136 On Participation in the World VTS Guide Edition 1.0 December 2007; IALA Recommendation V-119 On The Implementation of Vessel Traffic Services Edition 2 December 2009 IALA Guideline No. 1056 On The Establishment of VTS Radar Services Edition 1 June 2007; IALA Guideline No. 1070 On VTS role in managing Restricted or Limited Access Areas Edition 1 December 2009 IALA Vessel Traffic Services Manual Edition 4 2008
Organizational framework IMOC Organisation Chart The competent authorities dealing with maritime DG are the Master Harbours.
VTS/VTMIS Organisation chart The organisation chart for VTS/VTMIS has not elaborated yet to a detailed phase. There is a need for common approach and universally agreed professional standards and competence for the delivery of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS). The successful delivery of such services depends upon competent and experienced personnel to discharge the responsibilities of a VTS Authority. System will be deployed to the following organizations: Durres Port Authority QNOD-IMOC (Durres) Durres Port & Anchorage (Durres) Shengjin Port & Anchorage (Durres) Porto Romano Port (Durres) Vlora Port & Anchorage (Vlore) Saranda Port & Anchorage (Vlore) Himare Port (Vlore) Petrolifera Port (Vlore)
Operational status IMOC already established. Implementation of VTS/VTMIS would have to undergo in the following stages: 1. Needs Analysis (divided into four steps): Preliminary Assessment; Feasibility and Design; Formal Risk Assessment; Cost and Benefit Analysis. 2. Implementation; 3. Evaluation Currently, in Albania have been completed three steps out of four included in the first phase. Detailed Needs Analysis has been carried out and there is no decision taken yet on the progress of the other phases until the implementation of such system. There are different discussions continuing at several levels on the best approach to establish at the earliest VTS/VTMIS in Albania. The national VTS/VTMIS is not yet implemented
System description IMOC Special importance in support of operational and administrative activities of IMOC is played by the Integrated Sea Space Surveillance System (ISSS), Communication systems, TETRA and BLUE-BOX which serve to IMOC to fulfil their responsibilities in the maritime space. ISSS is implemented in 2009. It realizes a continued monitoring of the marine space of the Republic of Albania through the radars that communicate with a centralised information processing software stationed in IMOC. Systems: * TIMS, MEMEX, ASIKUDA, BLUE-BOX, TETRA * Information Systems patrols of border police, customs service, etc BLUE-BOX is based on Satellite Communication. It is placed on vessels over 12mlong. TETRA radio communications is installed and operational since November 2011. It is integrated with ISSS and encrypted communication.
VTS/VTMIS VTS / VTMIS most important functions are related to contributing to and thereby enhancing: Safety of life at sea; Safety of navigation; Efficiency of vessel traffic movement; Protection of the marine environment; and Protection of the adjacent communities and infrastructure. At the current stage of planning, the system architecture for the future VTS/VTMIS is described in the following chart:
System architecture
Hardware description IMOC Integrated System Sea Surveillance (ISSS): 3 operating rooms in Shengjin, Vlora and Saranda 7 radars located along the Albanian Seacoast (GEM electronica, 5 are 19 (feet) and 2 are 21 (feet) It conducts all communication channels mean international marine radio IMOC hardware includes 7 radars and 6 repeaters alongside the coast, VHF marine communication frequencies, AIS, as well as connected to other encrypted systems like TIMS, MEMEX and ASIKUDA. Actually acting as coastal VTS for the areas outside the jurisdiction of Harbour Master Offices of Albanian Ports (Ports & anchorage Roads); IMOC as newly established, will have to be equipped with the navigational communication aids and identification codes in accordance with ITU and AKEP regulations as for the GMDSS operational requirements in transmitting and receiving at international band frequencies used by shipping. IMOC has as obligation the efficient coordination and organisation of operations for protection from maritime pollution. Actually the detection is carried out by Coast Guard personnel in cooperation with the Environmental Inspectorate and other institutions that have interests in the sea, under IMOC support and coordination. Investigation includes determination of the origin and cause of pollution. IMOC duty is to ensure quick and timely actions to take under control and prevent oil spills and release of hazardous chemical substances in the sea.
VTS/VTMIS Such national VTMIS system in the future might be integrated with the system of EMSA SafeSeaNet, an EU initiative that provides means of communication between the various maritime authorities at local and regional level and to exchange relative information on safety and pollution prevention from shipping. Infrastructure consideration to be taken into account for the establishment of a network of VTS integrated into the VTMIS would include the following: Upgrade and new installations for the equipments and sensors of VTS Durrës, Vlorë, Shëngjin & Saranda; Establishment of software and servers for the operational offices; New office tower for Vlorë VTS Centre with good view into the port and anchorage road area; Installation of the VPN system for the communication of information between VTS centres; Installation of the VPN system / optical fibber for the communication of information between VTS Albania to the QNOD as VTMIS Albania Future VTS will have to provide web-based services with varying user-access levels where ship operators, government agencies and departments can log on to a service within the network to access ship data. Different levels of access would be managed by a central authority. Detailed principles are dealt with at the IALA Recommendation on Guidelines on application of User Pays V-102.
Picture of schematic operations and services of VTS/VTMIS centres is provided below:
In Albanian coast / ports, due to presence of environment sensitive protected areas outside the coverage from ports, such is Karavasta Lagoon, etc. both categories of VTS: port / harbour and coastal would be fit for system coverage. Detection by radar of oil spills need to be included in the future VTMIS.
Software description IMOC November 2011 - Completed installation of the system in IMOC BLUE-BOX. BLUE-BOX - monitors and observes the sea area in satellite form. November 2011 - Finished installing the advanced system TETRA radio communication, that: Integrated with the ISSS (Integrated Sea System Surveillance). Encrypted Communication System for running the operations at sea by IMOC.
TETRA Based on Satellite Communication is placed on fishing vessels over 12m long and located in: In Operational Halls In the Fishing Dispatchers In fishing vessels Reports from the Master Harbours are provided daily to IMOC on paper form and electronic form. Then IMOC prepares and distributes daily reports to the Prime Minister Offices and all the other institutions involved.
VTS/VTMIS Proposed system is described in the chart: All of stakeholders may benefit from correct and timely information about actual and expected vessel positions, movements, destinations and times of arrival. This enables those allied services to enhance their own efficiency, whilst at the same time to better plan and utilize their resources, which may reduce the cost base. Picture of VTMIS sensors and points along the four main ports of Albania
Coverage area of VTS/VTMIS is the whole sea costal line of Albania of 316 km. Current IMOC and future VTMIS coverage are shown below.
Interface with Collateral system IMOC Due to its function IMOC exchanges information and communicates with the institutions shown in the following information exchange chart.
VTS/VTMIS In regard of VTS/VTMIS, the data information, will have the capability to be exported and to comply with the requirements of the EU Directive on Vessel Traffic Monitoring. In this respect, it is recommended that the Albanian Maritime Administration should be consulted about future developments. For a more detailed guidance on procedures to be followed, established, the authority will have to consider IALA Recommendation V-127 on Operational Procedures for Vessel Traffic Services Edition 1 June 2004.
Personnel As shown in the organisation chart there are 28 employees working currently into IMOC. Recognizing that VTS personnel are members of a profession whose principle interaction is with mariners and maritime pilots for the safe management of maritime traffic, their competence needs to reflect that professional responsibility. The national authorities will ensure that uniform standards of procedures, practices and professional standards are applied by Vessel Traffic Services as applicable worldwide with regard to the training requirements and certification standards for VTS personnel. The VTS personnel have to be properly trained in maritime context and system operation in accordance with IALA recommendations standards. Total cost of the system The establishment cost of IMOC is around 20 ml $. As mentioned earlier there is not yet a cost benefit analysis carried out on the establishment of VTS/VTMIS in Albania.
SWOT analysis Strengths High level of cooperation amongst institutions in the maritime sector Coordinated management of maritime assets Good monitoring of the coverage area Weakness Lack of financial resources for implementing the system, maintenance and development Lack of qualified personnel to be recruited No information available for tracing the hazardous cargo No real time access to Master Harbour s database Opportunities Operation of intelligence services in maritime sector Interconnectivity to VTMIS for Albania maritime area Threats Legal issues related to data exchange
Thank You for the Attention! BRIKENA TARE brikena.tare@ital.gov.al Institute of Transport www.ital.gov.al