Analysis of vessel traffic and safety assessment of the Soya Strait
This paper discusses how an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiving station was set up in November 2008 in order to acquire the true figure of vessels going through the Soya (La Perouse) Strait and how the data has been successfully stored. Both static and dynamic analysis were conducted. First, the Strait was divided into eight sections and directions and the numbers of vessels crossing each section were counted. Second, the area was divided into 1 km square grids and each grid was examined to see if there were two or more ships in the same grid at the same time. As a result of the first analysis it was found that vessels are crossing both ways from west to east and east to west in each section. Large vessels with hazardous materials are likely to be congested in the northern part of the strait so that the vessels are kept away from the Reef Nijo and save petroleum. The paper discusses how dangerous crossings have actually occurred and lane separation or other traffic regularity needs to be established through international cooperation.