( CNN ) -- Every day , more than 500 ships from all corners of the globe set out to navigate the bustling waters of the English Channel . Huge merchant vessels carrying every category of cargo imaginable -- from iron ore to wheat , and from crude oil to sugar -- sail amongst fishing vessels , passenger ferries , pleasure craft and more unorthodox traffic such as swimmers . Keeping this narrow body of water that separates England and France clear is vital for a wide range of economic as well as recreational travel purposes . See also : Introducing the world 's biggest ship . But as passenger and cargo vessels become longer , wider and more frequent , ensuring a smooth passageway in a straight just 34 kilometers ( 21 miles ) across at its shortest navigable point has come to represent a considerable logistical challenge . `` It is the busiest shipping lane in the world , '' explained senior watch manager of the Dover coastguard , Tony Evans . '' And this is not including small pleasure craft ( and ) motorboats . '' `` Today we have 12 attempts at swimming the Channel . Obviously that has some bearing on the traffic in the fact that vessels may need to take action to avoid them , '' he added . Sailing safe seas . Given the waterway 's strategic importance , it is perhaps little surprise that the English Channel has long been at the vanguard of maritime planning and safety . The world 's first sea-traffic separation scheme was set up here in 1972 creating two lanes of traffic that ships must follow to avoid collisions . Vessels traveling north have to use the French side , whilst the English lane is used for those traveling south . The basic premise of this system still exists today . See also : Can Danube boost European trade ? Further lanes that dictate the flow of traffic from east and west -- east towards the North Sea and ports in Northern Europe and west towards the Atlantic Ocean -- have also been formed on both the English and French sides of the Channel ( see traffic movement in video below ) . Today these routes are regularly plied by some of the biggest cargo ships on earth , including the recently launched Maersk Triple E which at 400 meters long is the world 's largest operational vessel . Coastguard duties . According to Kaimes Beasley of the Dover based Channel Navigation Information Service , such high-value ships passing through the Channel mean coastguards in both England and France must be more organized and vigilant than ever before . `` The nature of the vessel traffic over the years has become significantly larger , '' Beasley explained . `` The navigational challenges remain the same , ( in terms of topography , sandbanks and congestion ) . It is the job of the officers on watch of the vessels to make sure they navigate safely . '' See also : Eight of the world 's biggest infrastructure projects . To help with their daily duties , officers can call on a range of state-of-the-art tools to help direct and monitor maritime traffic . Detailed radar screens provide a real-time snapshot of all ships on the channel at any given moment . Automated Identification Systems ( AIS ) meanwhile present information on the larger vessels in the area , such as their size , name , course , destination and traveling speed . All vessels that weigh over 300 tons are automatically tracked by satellite . A captain 's view . For those at sea , these hi-tech systems and services offer valuable guidance as well as reassurance . Many ships have similar access to AIS systems ensuring they are aware of what is around them at all times . `` The ships have got much larger and therefore ... the technology has had to increase to match it , '' explained David Miller , senior captain of the Spirit of Britain passenger ferry . `` The basic concept of seamanship has been replaced by integrated electronic systems , '' he added . Silk Road railways link Asia and Europe . But while such advanced technology has been a welcome development , Miller also points out the fundamental rules that govern movement on the Channel remain the same . `` The rules of the road are there for us all to obey them and if there is a risk of a collision we will follow ( them ) , '' Miller said . `` As long as everybody observes ( these ) rules then there 's room for us all . '' Find out more about The Gateway and when you can watch the show on CNN here .
The English Channel is home to the world 's busiest shipping lanes . More than 500 vessels pass through the straight that is only 34 kilometers across at its shortest navigable point . Some of the world 's biggest cargo ships ply the Channel alongside smaller objects such as yachts , fishing boats and swimmers .