Testing of intelligent fairways, scheduled to begin next year

The Finnish Transport Agency will start testing intelligent fairways at the beginning of 2017.

Intelligent fairways are able to inform mariners about the prevailing conditions and vessel movements in the fairway. Several fairways along the Finnish coast will be used as test platforms.

Finland's main objective is to make navigation safer and more efficient. In order to reach this goal, the Finnish Transport Agency will start testing intelligent fairways at the beginning of next year.

"Finland is a forerunner of digital vessel services", says Ms Anne Berner, Minister of Transport and Communications of Finland. "We will do our best to stay at the forefront of the digitalisation development", she continues.

"Testing of intelligent fairways is a great leap towards autonomous vessel traffic, based on intelligent automation. In my view, intelligent automation is the key to enhancing maritime safety, reducing emissions and improving productivity", says Minister Berner.

The testing of the intelligent fairways starts at the beginning of 2017 and takes two years. The tests will include testing and piloting of the digital services and real-time situational pictures in both the vessel's own systems and in the systems used by the Vessel Traffic Services.