Traffic separation scheme

The body of water between two opposite lanes is named separation zone and is to be avoided by vessels travelling within the TSS as far as possible except in certain circumstances such as emergencies or for fishing activities.

In Europe, many TSS areas are found around the Southern part of the North Sea including the English Channel.

Well-known TSS locations include the English Channel, German Bight, Singapore, and Cape Horn.

The Dover Strait/Détroit du Pas de Calais was the first International Maritime Organisation (IMO) approved traffic separation scheme in the world in 1967.

[2][3] Other TSS areas can be found in the Mediterranean Sea, western side of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific.