Vessel Traffic Services towers are the nerve centres of port and harbour operations. VTS operators monitor and manage vessel traffic in some of the world’s busiest maritime environments, working from elevated control rooms with large panoramic windows that expose them to sustained solar glare and heat throughout the operational day. Solar Solve supplies SOLASOLV® transparent anti-glare screens for VTS tower windows, providing effective solar protection while maintaining the completely clear outward view that VTS operations depend on.
The Solar Glare and Visibility Challenge in VTS Towers
VTS operators face some of the most demanding visual working conditions of any maritime professional. The panoramic windows that give them visibility of the port environment also expose them to significant solar challenges:
- Sun glare during sunrise and sunset creates intense, low-angle light that can temporarily obscure vessel positions, radar displays, and surveillance screen readability at precisely the moments when port traffic is often heaviest
- Reflective surfaces in port environments — water, vessel hulls, and adjacent glass structures — compound direct solar glare throughout the day
- Extended operational shifts mean that cumulative solar exposure accumulates across the full working day, increasing eye strain, fatigue, and the risk of errors in vessel tracking and traffic management
- Port facilities in exposed coastal locations face heightened glare from the sea surface and sky, particularly in summer and in low-latitude or high-latitude environments where sun angles create persistent glare conditions
A standard opaque blind is not appropriate for a VTS tower application. It blocks the outward view that operators need to maintain at all times. The correct solution is a see-through solar protection screen that filters glare and heat without impairing visibility.
SOLASOLV® Performance for VTS Tower Windows
| Performance Measure | Rating | VTS Tower Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Solar glare reduction | Up to 93%¹ | Eliminates glare impairing vessel monitoring, radar readability, and surveillance display interpretation throughout the operational day |
| Solar heat rejection | Up to 87%¹ | Reduces control room temperature during long shifts, lowering cooling demand and operator fatigue |
| UV light rejection | Up to 99%¹ | Protects VTS operators from cumulative UV exposure during extended control room shifts in coastal environments |
| Outward visibility | Fully maintained | Operators retain a completely clear, undistorted view of the port environment, vessel movements, and surrounding waters at all times |
SOLASOLV® Products for VTS Tower Windows
Solar Solve supplies two anti-glare screen formats for VTS tower window applications. Both use the same SOLASOLV® transparent solar protection screen material and are manufactured to the specific dimensions of the window being supplied:
SOLASAFE® (with cassette)
The cassette-mounted anti-glare screen. The self-contained cassette housing provides a clean, professional finish at the window frame and encloses the screen material when retracted. Preferred for new VTS tower installations and professional refurbishment projects. View the SOLASAFE® product page for full specifications.
SOLAROLA® (without cassette)
The non-cassette anti-glare screen. Provides the same SOLASOLV® transparent protection in a simpler roller screen format suited to retrofit installation in existing VTS towers. View the SOLAROLA® product page for full specifications.
Both products are available in a range of film colours providing different levels of visible light transmission to suit different tower orientations and operational requirements. Full technical specifications are available on the technical information page.
Built for Coastal and Port Environments
VTS towers operate in some of the most demanding environmental conditions of any control room application. Coastal salt air, humidity, UV radiation, and the continuous use associated with 24-hour port operations all place demands on window fittings that standard products cannot meet.
- SOLASOLV® screens are manufactured using marine-grade materials specifically engineered to withstand coastal and port environments
- The screen material resists corrosion, UV degradation, and wear from the frequent deployment cycles associated with operational control rooms
- Every screen is manufactured to the specific dimensions of the window being supplied, ensuring a precise and professional fit regardless of the tower’s window configuration
- VTS tower windows vary widely in size and shape — the window shapes guide and measuring guide support facility teams in confirming accurate dimensions before ordering
Energy Efficiency and Operator Comfort
SOLASOLV® screens deliver operational benefits beyond glare control. By rejecting solar heat through the tower windows, screens reduce the solar heat gain entering the control environment, with two measurable consequences:
- Lower demand on air conditioning and cooling systems during peak solar periods, reducing energy consumption and contributing to the port facility’s sustainability and energy efficiency objectives
- Improved thermal comfort for VTS operators during long shifts, reducing the physical fatigue that accumulates in overheated control environments and supporting sustained concentration and alertness throughout the operational day
Solar Solve’s worldwide distributor network, spanning more than 40 office locations across 6 continents, can support installation at port facilities globally. Contact Solar Solve at sales@solasolv.com or call +44 191 454 8595. You can also explore the full range of specialist screens on the Solar Solve marine sector page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are SOLASOLV® VTS tower blinds?
SOLASOLV® VTS tower blinds are transparent anti-glare roller screens designed for installation at the windows of Vessel Traffic Services towers and port control centres. They reduce solar glare significantly while maintaining a completely clear, undistorted outward view for VTS operators at all times, allowing them to monitor vessel movements, radar displays, and port traffic safely throughout the operational day.
Do SOLASOLV® VTS screens block the operator’s view of the port?
No. SOLASOLV® screens are see-through by design. Even when fully deployed, VTS operators retain a completely clear, undistorted view of the port environment, vessel movements, and radar and surveillance displays through the tower windows at all times. The screens filter solar glare and heat without impairing the outward view that VTS operations depend on.
Are SOLASOLV® VTS tower screens custom-made?
Yes. Every SOLASOLV® screen is manufactured to the specific dimensions of the window being supplied. VTS towers have a range of window configurations including large panoramic windows, angled panes, and non-standard shapes. Solar Solve’s window shapes guide and measuring guide support VTS facility teams in confirming accurate dimensions before ordering.
Are SOLASOLV® VTS screens durable enough for coastal port environments?
Yes. SOLASOLV® screens are manufactured using marine-grade materials specifically engineered to withstand coastal and port environments, including exposure to salt air, humidity, UV radiation, and the frequent use associated with critical infrastructure. Solar Solve has supplied screens to VTS towers and port control facilities worldwide as part of its 200,000+ screen track record.
Can SOLASOLV® VTS screens help reduce energy costs in port control towers?
Yes. By rejecting solar heat through the tower windows, SOLASOLV® screens reduce the solar heat gain entering the control environment. This lowers the demand on air conditioning and cooling systems, reducing energy consumption and contributing to the port facility’s energy efficiency and sustainability goals.