POSEIDON is aimed at achieving greater safety and efficiency in maritime transport in Europe. To this end, it seeks to establish inter-operable vessel traffic services (VTS) systems by integrating them with advanced communications, information and tracking technologies. Such tools will enhance the compatibility of different VTS supporting their effective joint action in traffic control and emergencies or for other new services. Appropriate interface systems will be devised during the project and VTS-related tasks fully addressed. Prompt exploitation of its results could boost industrial VTS products and services keeping the EU to the forefront in this sector.