VEESEL TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER (FORT NASSAU)

Curacao has a state-of-the-art, fully-equipped Control Tower called the Vessel Traffic Control Center (VTCC), which plans and coordinates all vessel traffic within the ports of this Southern Caribbean island. Perched atop the Sablika Hill in its commanding post at the historical Fort Nassau, no vessel can enter any of the ports of Curacao without the VTCC’s permission, guidance and assistance.

Like the body’s central artery, where everything must pass through, the Vessel Traffic Control Center is the central hub of all harbor and port activity in Curacao.  This central artery is responsible for so many details that are crucial to the function of the body as a whole, and likewise the VTCC is responsible for a myriad of important details ranging from reserving a quay for berthing, to contacting emergency teams when needed.  The VTCC is a pivotal key to the successful functioning of the Curacao Ports Authority (CPA) and its legacy of efficiency, safety, quality and reliability.

Planning
In general, berthing requests are submitted by Shipping Agents acting on behalf of their client-lines. The VTCC-Planner keys in all berthing requests in the computerized system and assigns wharves and jetties. Almost all parties involved have access to the on-line system and use it to plan ahead to optimize the efficiency of the ports. This eliminates a great deal of verbal communication and avoids human mistakes, thereby optimizing the process.

Continuous Updating
The VTCC’s software registers a vast array of data on any berth, including the name of the ship, its agent, estimated arrival and departure times, tonnage, type of call (e.g. cruise, bunkering or repair), wharf, the number of tugs requested, etc. From the time the berthing request comes in to the time the vessel has left our port, this data changes continuously. Each change is registered meticulously and a Planned Harbor Traffic Report is posted on-line and available for other ‘departments’ to see. On the day the ship is supposed to call in, this list is still changing, as times of arrival vary and plans often change.

Modern tools
Working 24/7, the VTCC-team makes use of modern tools such as an AIS-live system, a semi-automated invoicing system, a voice recording system and on-line data entry, which is updated at all times. The VTCC has been operating according to the ISO standards since the beginning of 1999.