Brazil – Maritime Traffic Information System (SISTRAM)
We have received information from Brazil P&I, our correspondents at Santos, Brazil, about a new vessel reporting system to be introduced in the country.
The new system is called SISTRAM (Maritime Traffic Information System). It was created to help satisfy the requirements and recommendations of international conventions such as the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). It is aimed at overseeing the movement of vessels in a specific area so that prompt assistance can be provided in emergency situations.
It is mandatory for vessels sailing under the Brazilian flag and those chartered by Brazilian ship owners to join SISTRAM by reporting their position and navigation data anywhere in the world.
Vessels sailing under foreign flags, not chartered to Brazilian owners, are invited to join SISTRAM by reporting their position and navigation data while sailing in Brazilian jurisdictional waters (200 miles from the coast). It is mandatory for such ships to join SISTRAM while sailing in Brazilian territorial waters (12 miles from the coast).
The statute that rules the use of the system does not foresee sanctions for vessels which do not comply with the requirements. While the system was originally scheduled to enter into force on 15 October 2013, commencement has been postponed until at least 15 January 2014.
Further details of the system, including the reporting form, can be found in the attached “Maritime Traffic Information System” circular issued by the Brazilian Naval Command of Maritime Traffic Control.
The new system is called SISTRAM (Maritime Traffic Information System). It was created to help satisfy the requirements and recommendations of international conventions such as the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). It is aimed at overseeing the movement of vessels in a specific area so that prompt assistance can be provided in emergency situations.
It is mandatory for vessels sailing under the Brazilian flag and those chartered by Brazilian ship owners to join SISTRAM by reporting their position and navigation data anywhere in the world.
Vessels sailing under foreign flags, not chartered to Brazilian owners, are invited to join SISTRAM by reporting their position and navigation data while sailing in Brazilian jurisdictional waters (200 miles from the coast). It is mandatory for such ships to join SISTRAM while sailing in Brazilian territorial waters (12 miles from the coast).
The statute that rules the use of the system does not foresee sanctions for vessels which do not comply with the requirements. While the system was originally scheduled to enter into force on 15 October 2013, commencement has been postponed until at least 15 January 2014.
Further details of the system, including the reporting form, can be found in the attached “Maritime Traffic Information System” circular issued by the Brazilian Naval Command of Maritime Traffic Control.