Helsinki, 28 December 2023
The President of the Republic has approved the amendments to the Vessel Traffic Service Act, the Ship Safety Control Act and the Act on the Enforcement of a Fine. Most of the amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2024.
The amendments required by the Regulation establishing a European Maritime Single Window environment (EMSWe) will enter into force on 15 August 2025.
The Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) means the supervision and management of vessel traffic from land. The amendments will change the VTS legislation to ensure that it corresponds to international regulatory developments.
Qualification and training requirements to be specified
The amendments to the Vessel Traffic Service Act will end the division of VTS into different tasks. In addition, further specifications will be added to the VTS qualification requirements and to the requirements concerning the content and provision of VTS personnel training.
These requirements will conform to the standards of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA).
The amendments to national legislation required by the EMSWe will enable the replacement of Traficom’s PortNet system with a new maritime information management system.
In addition, the scope of application of the Act on the Enforcement of a Fine will be extended to apply to the penalty fee referred to in the Vessel Traffic Service Act.
Next steps
The amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2024, with the exception that the amendments to national legislation required by the EMSWe will enter into force at the same time with the Regulation on 15 August 2025.
Source – Finnish Government