Local
Within the framework of efforts aimed at developing the infrastructure of the maritime transport sector, the competent authorities announced the completion and inauguration of the (VTS) system project dedicated to monitoring vessel traffic and organizing their entry and exit operations within the geographical scope of the country's territorial waters. This vital achievement comes in response to the official directives of the Ministry of Transport aimed at raising technical and operational efficiency, as well as upgrading navigational monitoring capabilities and ensuring the security and safety of territorial waters in a way that serves economic and commercial activity in general. The Director General of the Supreme Iraqi Maritime Authority, Chief Marine Engineer Ali Abdul-Latif Al-Tamimi, affirmed in the context of announcing the project that this step gains exceptional importance given Iraq's strategic and distinguished geographical location on Shatt al-Arab and the Arabian Gulf, as well as the vital role played by national ports in linking the local economy to the global markets network. The official pointed out that developing and modernizing maritime monitoring systems contributes directly to regulating vessel traffic, enhancing safety and security standards, mitigating risks and illegal activities, alongside providing effective protection for vital facilities and the marine environment. He explained that the new system will work to support regulatory procedures, facilitate data exchange, and improve the flow of navigation and trade, thereby maximizing the efficiency of maritime operations and supporting investment opportunities in this important sector. He finally clarified that the project aligns completely with the path of keeping pace with the latest technological developments and successful international experiences in managing and organizing vessel traffic, based on relevant international laws, agreements, and standards, including the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), each according to its scope of application.
