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Transport and Communications Agency

Regulation issued to support the operational use of channels

September 1, 2026 at 14:38

As part of the N2000 fairway and nautical chart reform, the principles governing the use of channels have been clarified and a new uniform practice has been established to support the safe, efficient and smooth use of channels. Since the declared design draught of a channel is not an absolute limit, ships may, in certain circumstances, use a channel at a draught exceeding the declared design draught, provided that sufficient safety can be ensured under the prevailing conditions. To support masters in assessing and planning such channel use, the authorities have developed dedicated tools. The procedure is based on the notification requirements laid down in the Vessel Traffic Service Act (623/2005). The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom has now issued a more detailed Regulation on the procedure, which entered into force on 1 September 2026.

In preparing the Regulation, account was taken of the experience gained by Fintraffic Vessel Traffic Services Ltd, Finnpilot Pilotage Ltd and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency in applying the operating model for channel use, as well as other observations and feedback received. The views of individual seafarers have also been valuable in the Regulation drafting process. 

The draft Regulation was open for public consultation in the Lausuntopalvelu.fi service from 10 April to 24 May 2026. The comments received were mainly positive and supported the objectives of the Regulation.

Objective of the Regulation

The Regulation specifies the notification obligation in situations where a ship uses a channel in a manner deviating from the channel design. This deviating use refers to situations where the use of a channel is not based directly on its design values, but instead requires case-by-case consideration and verification of sufficient net underkeel clearance. 

The notification obligation is based on section 22h of the Vessel Traffic Service Act, which entered into force at the beginning of 2024.

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency has previously issued guidelines on submitting notifications concerning channel use. The Regulation specifies in greater detail how the statutory notification obligation is to be fulfilled and makes the procedure more binding.

In particular, the Regulation specifies: 

  • what information is required from the ship to enable a reliable assessment of its safe passage
  • how and when the notification must be submitted
  • how a smooth and safety-supporting notification procedure can be implemented

The Regulation on submitting notifications is intended to support operational activities and increase awareness among operators of the principles governing channel use and of the notification obligation. The Regulation also supports the digitalisation of maritime transport by establishing uniform operating practices and a common information base on channel use. This improves opportunities to make use of the information and to further develop the safety and efficiency of maritime transport.

Enquiries

Janina Tapia Cotrino, janina.tapiacotrino(at)traficom.fi
Stefan Engström, stefan.engstrom(at)traficom.fi