Request for comments: Draft proposal for acts amending the Vessel Traffic Service Act and certain related acts

The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on the draft government proposal for acts amending the Vessel Traffic Service Act and certain related acts.

In its draft proposal, the Government proposes amending the Vessel Traffic Service Act
to make it correspond to international developments in regulations. The legislation on vessel traffic services would be updated in accordance with the amendment in the resolution of the SOLAS Convention (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea).  

Vessel Traffic Service, VTS, means the supervision and management of vessel traffic from land. It has the capability to interact with traffic and respond to changing traffic situations.

Vessel traffic service would no longer be divided into different tasks

In the draft, it is proposed that the division of vessel traffic service into different tasks be given up. For example, in future, the vessel traffic service tasks assigned to each VTS area would no longer be separately confirmed.

In addition, amendments are proposed that would specify the qualification requirements concerning vessel traffic service and the requirements concerning training and the provision of training. With regard to staff qualifications and training requirements, the standards of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) would continue to apply.

The amendments would also implement the national legislative amendments required by the European Maritime Single Window Regulation (EMSW Regulation) on founding a harmonised service environment for the European maritime sector. At the same time, the changes required for replacing the Portnet system of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency with a new maritime information management system would be made.

Next steps

The deadline for submitting comments is 13 September 2023. All organisations and private individuals may submit comments at www.lausuntopalvelu.fi. After the consultation round, the legislative drafting will continue as official duties.

The majority of the amendments are due to enter into force as from the beginning of 2024. 

Inquiries:

Suvi Kankare, Senior Officer for Legal Affairs, tel. +358 295 342 105, [email protected] 
Väinö Pitkänen, Senior Officer, tel. +358 295 342 127, [email protected]