Vessel traffic service system improves safety and reduces emissions in seaport areas

The maritime traffic service system (VTS) is increasingly focused and strongly developed. After a decade of operation, the VTS system in Vietnam has demonstrated its benefits, such as reducing accidents and improving ship traffic capacity. Close monitoring of objects with a high risk of environmental pollution, such as oil tankers and dangerous cargo ships, helps to reduce the risk of accidents and environmental pollution. However, the benefits brought by the VTS system have not been comprehensively evaluated. This research uses the SWOT method combined with quantitative methods to comprehensively analyze the system. The results show that the VTS system makes an important contribution to optimizing travel time, waiting time for channels, reducing support vehicles for channel clearing, and reducing emissions, with a benefit-to-cost index of more than 483%. From there, propose a direction for the development of the VTS system to contribute to the sustainable development of the Vietnamese maritime industry.