The survey received 299 responses from representatives of professional shipping, pilots and official vessels, and good results were obtained especially regarding the functionality of fairway markings and the safety and reliability of services.
Fairway markings and efficiency of navigation given highest praise
The results of the study highlight key factors in the functioning of fairways
• The fairway edge markings, line markings and fixed radar markings received high average scores (4.1–4.2). Overall, the functionality of fairway markings was assessed to be excellent (4.0).
• The navigability of fairways was considered a particular strength, which was assessed on a scale of 1 to 5 with a score of 4.2. This indicates that the functioning of the fairways meets the needs of shipping quite well.
• Newer technologies, such as virtual markings and the remote control of safety devices, also received good assessments (3.9), but development ideas were presented, for example, with regard to lighting synchronisation and light intensity adjustment. However, the importance of traditional fairway markings for safe navigation was highlighted at the same time, especially in the event of GNSS disruptions.
• Improvement needs were also highlighted for individual fairways
“The results indicate that Finnish fairway infrastructure services are at a good level. The functioning of fairways and the usability of digital services support efficient and safe navigation”, says Olli Holm, Senior Advisor on fairway Management at the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.
Vessel Traffic Services: high level of trust, development targets identified
The results for Vessel Traffic Services indicate that their core functions, including information provision, intervention in traffic and incidents and the arrangement of vessel traffic, are at an excellent level (scores 4.3-4,4). Route users feel that the vigilance of VTS centres has clearly improved, which strengthens trust in the service. Port departure permission arrangements were highlighted as a particular success.
At the same time, it was noted that more attention should be paid to the organisation of pilot boarding point traffic and ensuring safety in the future. These areas are critical for traffic flow and safety
“The timeliness of information provision and traffic arrangements are the basic pillars of the service, but customer feedback shows that uniform quality must be further developed. Pilot boarding points are critical areas in which traffic safety must also be ensured in the future”, says Toni Sobott, Services Manager at the FTIA.
Cooperation and continuous development play a key role
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, Fintraffic and Traficom will continue to work in close collaboration in the development of services together with route users. Co-created operating models have already improved customer orientation, and development work will continue, especially with regard to communications, the functionality of fairway markings and digital solutions.
“Collaboration between various actors has increased significantly over recent years, which is also evident in the study's results. Successes have been shared achievements and we will continue to invest in this collaboration”, Holm and Sobott sum up.
Development targets and measures identified on the basis of the results
• Further development of the functionality of the fairway markings
• Improvement of important individual fairways
• Improvements to traffic management and safety at pilot boarding points.
• Improvements to the uniformity of information provision to reduce regional disparities.
• Development of digital services, such as AIS-based solutions and more user-friendly information sharing channels, ensuring cyber security and management of disruptions
Further information on the study:
Olli Holm, Senior Advisor (fairways) tel. 029 534 3338
Toni Sobott, Service Manager (Vessel Traffic Services procurements) tel. +358 29 534 3696