Amendment to the PEC regulation
The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom has issued an amended regulation on applications for fairway- and area-specific exemptions to be entered on a PEC certificate, the examination requirements related to such exemptions, and procedures associated with the certificate (TRAFICOM/41311/03.04.01.00/2025). The regulation will enter into force on 17.8.2026.
The regulation clarifies the requirements for extensive experience laid down in Sections 41 and 50 of the Pilotage Act concerning the granting of permits exempting holders from regional pilotage obligations.
The amendments concern the number of voyages required to demonstrate regional extensive experience and the methods by which such experience may be acquired. When applying for a first regional exemption, simulator training may be used more extensively than before to accumulate the required experience. For regional exemptions applied for after the first exemption, the required number of qualifying voyages has been reduced and an alternative method for acquiring experience has been introduced. The requirements for renewing regional exemptions have also been harmonised with those applicable to exemptions obtained after the first exemption.
The amendment strengthens the role of simulator training in gaining the required experience. At the same time, it clarifies the content of simulator exercises and promotes their appropriate and effective use.
The objective of the amendment is to make obtaining a regional exemption more flexible while maintaining a high level of maritime safety. The amendment applies to all operators and promotes equal treatment of applicants regardless of vessel type.
Further information
Chief Advisor Aino-Maija Alstela