Marine Information Map Overlay
Please Note - these overlays were last updated in August 2013 and continue to be enhanced. The information is only included to indicate why routes derived from the Distance Tables may appear to deviate unnecessarily. The absence of any information at a particular location does not imply that nothing of significance exists in the vicinity of that location and the appropriate sources of such information should be referred to when appropriate. No warranties are given for the completeness or accuracy of this information.
Marine Information overlays are only visible if the map is zoomed in sufficiently to enable the displayed information to be shown relatively clearly. If any of the overlays are requested when the current zoom level is insufficient to enable this, an appropriate message is displayed on the map.
Within our PortToPort software applications, the information available includes the following layers:-
TSS Traffic Separation Schemes
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Wikipedia describes a TSS as:- A Traffic Separation Scheme or TSS is a traffic-management route-system ruled by the International Maritime Organization or IMO. The traffic-lanes (or clearways) indicate the general direction of the ships in that zone; ships navigating within a TSS all sail in the same direction or they cross the lane in an angle as close to 90 degrees as possible. TSS's are used to regulate the traffic at busy, confined waterways or around capes. Within a TSS you normally see at least one traffic-lane in each main-direction, turning-points, deep-water lanes and separation zones between the main traffic lanes. In most cases you can find an "inshore traffic zone" between the traffic-lanes and the coast. A ship navigating in a traffic-lane should sail in the general direction of that lane. The body of water between two opposite lanes are no-go areas: shipping is not allowed in these areas (compare this with the central reservation of a road), so the risks for head-on collisions is greatly reduced. The TSS rules are incorporated in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (under rule 10) |
ASL Archipelagic Sea Lanes in Indonesian waters
These lanes are used for ships transiting Indonesian waters. A full explanation of the legalities of ASL's and national compliance with these lanes is beyond the scope of this text. The lanes are 50Nm wide, the lines displayed on the overlay mark the centre of the lanes.
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Shipping Fairways
Use of Shipping and Safety Fairways is not mandatory but is recommended and routes will generally follow these whenever appropriate. |
Areas dangerous to surface navigation
These are areas that have be charted as dangerous to surface navigation. These areas comprise those that have inadequate hydrographic surveys, areas of intense volcanic activity, dangerous ground and the like. |
Development Areas
In many areas of the world there are significant Development Areas where numerous structures can present a hazard to safe navigation. Unless specifically routing to a terminal or other location within such an area, these areas are generally avoided. |
Areas to be Avoided
As the title suggests, Areas to be avoided are generally respected and include, for example, locations where wind farms have been or are being developed, Conservation areas etc. This includes those areas mentioned in the IMO "Ships' Routeing" publication. |
PSSA Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas
A Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) is an area that needs special protection through action by IMO because of its significance for recognized ecological or socio-economic or scientific reasons and which may be vulnerable to damage by international maritime activities. The criteria for the identification of particularly sensitive sea areas and the criteria for the designation of special areas are not mutually exclusive. In many cases a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area may be identified within a Special Area and vice versa. |
Recommended Routes
Recommended Routes, for example, Route B or T in the Kattegat are followed where appropriate |
Restricted Areas
Vessels are advised not to enter Restricted Areas unless authorised to do so and routes will normally avoid such areas. These include, for example, offshore wind farms and areas around oil fields in the South China Sea. |
Ship Reporting Areas
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