Maritime Traffic on Approach to Port of Split and Assessment of Collision and Grounding Risk

Abstract

The Port of Split is the largest Croatian passenger port and its access fairways, characterized by a very high likelihood of accidents, especially of collisions and groundings, the busiest in the Croatian part of the Adriatic. This paper analyzes the main access fairways to the Split City Port, as well as those leading to the Kaštela Bay and the North Port of Split. Small vessel maritime traffic is also analyzed, although it is neither continuous, nor follows any established main routes. The AIS vessel movement data served as the basic source of data for larger vessels, and arrival/departure reports of port authorities for other maritime traffic. Main access fairways, maritime traffic concentration and structure, as well as assessment of collision and grounding risk are defined in keeping with the obtained data.