Skip to main content
Transport and Communications Agency

Report on the use of engine or shaft power reserve for the authority at the port of destination

If a ship’s engine or shaft power has been limited (EPL/ShaPoLi) to comply with the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) requirements, and the ship overrides the power limitation while en route to a Finnish port, it must notify Traficom of the use of the power reserve. This page provides guidance on submitting the notification.

On this page

When may the power reserve be used?

Ships whose engine or shaft power has been limited (EPL/SHaPoLi) to comply with the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) requirements can temporarily override the power limitation in order to ensure the safety of the ship or rescue lives at sea. 

Ships calling to Finnish ports when assistance restrictions for winter navigation are in place must follow the winter navigation instructions issued by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency to ensure the safety of all ships operating in Finland during the winter. When deciding on the engine output required for safe navigation in ice, the ship’s master or OICNW (Officer In Charge of a Navigational Watch) must take into account both the aforementioned instructions and the required engine output corresponding to the ship’s ice class. 

Report the use of the power reserve without delay

Ships must submit a notification of the use of a power reserve to the Recognized Organization responsible for issuing the ship’s IIE Certificate and, if the ship’s port of destination on the voyage in question is in Finland, to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. The notification of the use of a power reserve must be submitted without delay after the power limit is reactivated.

Proceed as follows

  1. Step 1

    Report after the limitation on the engine power has been restored

    Submit the report after the limitation on the engine power has been restored. 

  2. Step 2

    Include information about the ship and the conditions in the report

    The report shall include the following information on the ship and the conditions under which the shaft or engine power reserve was used:

    • the email address,
    • the name of the ship,
    • the IMO number of the ship,
    • the tonnage of the ship,
    • the limited and unlimited engine/shaft power of the ship,
    • the location of the ship as well as the time when the reserve was used,
    • the location of the ship as well as the time when the limitation was restored,
    • the reason for using the power reserve,
    • information on wind and waves or information on the ice conditions.
  3. Step 3

    Supporting evidence of the use may be attached to the report.

    If you wish, you can also attach evidence supporting the use of the power resource and the reason for its use, such as: 

    • ice chart, if the reason is ice conditions
    • other weather report, if the reason is other weather conditions
    • if the power limitation has been implemented with machinery automation, an extract/recording of the system data.
  4. Step 4

    Also remember other required reports

    • the notification to the Recognised Organisation that issued the ship’s IIE Certificate (sending evidence is mandatory), and
    • the annual report to your own flag. 


    The deadline for the annual report of ships sailing under the Finnish flag is 1 June, and the report is sent to the address marine-environment@traficom.fi.

Annual reporting by ships flying the Finnish flag

Ships sailing under the Finnish flag must submit annual reports detailing each use of a power reserve during the last calendar year to Traficom. 

The annual report submitted to Traficom must include the same information as the notifications, submitted without delay after the power limit's reactivation, and the report layout should follow the example provided by IMO resolution. The deadline for the annual report is 1 June.   

Further guidance

More detailed instructions on the use of a power reserve, required procedures on ships, the content of the notification and *the layout of the annual report are provided in IMO Resolution MEPC.335(76) Ulkoinen verkkopalvelu.and its amending Resolution MEPC.375(80). Ulkoinen verkkopalvelu.

More detailed instructions concerning ice class and icebreaker assistance are provided in the Act on the Ice Classes of Ships and Icebreaker Assistance (1121/2005) Ulkoinen verkkopalvelu Ulkoinen verkkopalvelu. while more detailed instructions concerning ice classes and engine output are provided in Traficom regulation Ice Class Regulations and the Application Thereof Ulkoinen verkkopalvelu.and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency’s annually updated publication Finland’s winter navigation – Instructions for winter navigation operators.

Inquiries

Email inquiries: marine-environment@traficom.fi


Chief Adviser Satu Kuurma, p. 029 534 6484
Special Adviser Hanna Suutarla, p. 029 534 7356

Page was last updated