An offshore vessel traffic service center was inaugurated Jan. 3 in Taichung City, marking a milestone in energy management, smart governance and navigation safety.
Premier Cho Jung-tai said Taiwan is home to major international maritime shipping companies and the local martime sector accounts for 90 percent of the country's cargo transportation, with more than 100,000 ships passing through waters surrounding Taiwan every year.
As the region is prone to the northeast monsoon and typhoons, and also houses some of Taiwan’s major offshore wind farms, Cho said the government is fully committed to ensuring navigation safety and facility security in the area by inaugurating the new VTS.
The facility is equipped with the latest technology to enhance system resilience, facilitate public-private coordination and monitor activities in waters spanning 4,000 square-kilometers around central and northern Taiwan, the premier said.
Cho said the center also employs artificial intelligence technology to ensure navigation safety, monitor wind power facility operations and carry out rescue missions in emergencies. These bring Taiwan’s maritime management further in line with international standards and also enhances the country’s rescue capabilities, he said, adding that the center will also play an important key role in monitoring offshore wind farms’ operations. (SFC-E)
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