The use of fairways in merchant shipping

As part of the N2000 fairway and nautical chart reform, the use of merchant shipping fairways has also been reformed and the planned fairway design draught is emphasised. The reform aims to improve the safety and efficiency of the use of fairways.

The safe clearance depths replaces the maximum authorised draughts

The most noticeable example of this is the change that has been made to nautical charts, where the maximum authorised draughts have been removed from the charts and only the safe clearance depths are shown for merchant shipping fairways. Fairway design draughts are described in more detail in the Nautical Publication Sailing Directions for Finnish waters. Essential fairway information for navigation is presented in nautical charts and maritime publications. Changes are communicated through Notices to Mariners (NtM).

The principles of channel depth of Finnish merchant shipping fairways are described in the Instruction Principles and application of channel depths in Finland. The fairway authority is responsible for the fairway and for ensuring confirmed water depths (safe clearance depth), as well as for providing fairway-related information to the Transport and Communications Agency for recording in information systems.

The use of a fairway in a manner different from the design draught requires a notice

The use of fairways is based on their design draughts. The design draught of a fairway does not guarantee that a vessel with a draft not exceeding the design depth (adjusted for water level) can safely use the fairway at all times or at all speeds without risk of grounding. The evaluation and determination of the draft used by the vessel is always the responsibility of the ship’s master.

It is recommended to use fairways according to their design draughts, but gross under keel clearance may be utilised if there is sufficient net under keel clearance. If the fairway is to be used in a manner different from the design draught, the vessel must give notice of the use of the fairway. Instructions on Notice of channel use have been published for this. You can find the instructions further down on this webpage. The instructions outline the following topics:

the distribution of responsibility when using fairways
the presentation of fairway information in nautical charts and maritime publications
the practical application of (design) dimensions provided about fairways
specific route planning requirements in certain situations
notification procedures related to the use of fairways as part of maritime traffic monitoring

The use of fairways is further specified in the guidelines below, issued by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom).

These instructions specify the content of the route plan required in different situations as well as the view of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom (hereinafter ‘Traficom’) as a regulating authority regarding the oversight measures to be taken by the vessel traffic service and pilotage services in order to ensure safe and efficient channel use.

Notice of channel use

282489/03.04.01.01/2023Valid from: 05/06/2023

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom published the new instructions "Principles and application of channel depths in Finland", 1 November 2021. These instructions supercede the previous instructions from 2011, "The channel depth practice in Finland - principles and implementation (4955/1021/2011)". The new chart datum N2000 is included in the instruction, additional to existing chart datums.

In the new instructions, the term Authorised draught is replaced by the term Design draught. The design draught refers to the planned draught at which the channel's design vessel can normally use the channel; however, different draughts can be used if the conditions allow it. Portrayal of channel depths in the new N2000-charts is described in the new instructions. Design draughts for merchant fairways (classes 1 and 2) will no longer be included in N2000-nautical charts. For these channels the safe clearance depth (minimum depth) is presented. Additional fairway data, including the design draught, will be presented in a separate nautical publication, published by Traficom. Also channel draughts presented in current charts, referenced to mean sea level (MSL), shall be considered design draughts according to the new instructions. Encoding of channel information in electronic charts is also renewed, as previously notified October 10 2021 in NtM 258/2021.

Clarifications of fairway use and responsibilities, especially regarding the design draught, are added to the new instructions. The instructions are based on the principle that the actual water level at the time of navigation is taken into consideration as an increase or reduction in the channel's indicated safe clearance depth and design draught. This principle is applied both for sea-areas and inland waterways. The Channel Authority is responsible for the channel and the safe clearance depths (minimum depth). The master of the watercraft is responsible for determining the draught of the watercraft.

Principles and application of channel depths in Finland

515771/03.04.01.01/2021Valid from: 15/11/2021

Sailing Instructions for Finnish Waters