From 30 September 2025, the Port of Amsterdam will introduce a new Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) sector to reduce congestion on VHF radio channels and strengthen nautical safety. The new sector, named Channel 5, Sector City, will cover the area between the Coen Tunnel and the Oranjesluizen/Schellingwoude, splitting the existing Sector Amsterdam into two distinct zones.
Tackling Communication Congestion
For years, VHF 4 has served as the main communication channel for vessels navigating the Amsterdam sector. However, with increasing vessel traffic, congestion has made it difficult for skippers to report movements promptly. Harbour Master Milembe Mateyo highlighted the safety risks, noting that skippers sometimes faced delays of several minutes before being able to report. Such delays, she said, posed potential hazards to safe navigation in one of Europe’s busiest waterways.
Sector Restructuring and Renamings
To address the issue, the Port of Amsterdam will split the existing sector into two. The new Sector City will operate on VHF 5, while Sector Westhaven will continue on VHF 4, covering the stretch between the Coenhaven and the Westhaven. Additional renamings are planned for clarity and consistency: Verkeersdienst Noordzeekanaal on VHF 3 will be renamed Sector Noordzeekanaal, and Haven IJmuiden on VHF 61 will become Sector IJmuiden.
The creation of Sector City and the restructuring of VTS operations reflect the Port of Amsterdam’s commitment to improving maritime safety and efficiency. By easing communication congestion and ensuring smoother reporting, the changes will strengthen navigation safety across the port’s critical waterways while aligning operational naming standards for greater clarity.
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Source: PORT NEWS
