Sweden to launch unified maritime traffic centre

The Swedish Maritime Administration and Ports of Stockholm are taking a significant step by establishing a joint maritime traffic centre in Stockholm, aimed at improving the efficiency and safety of vessel traffic from Oxelösund in the south to the northern coast of Sweden.

In early March, the two parties signed a cooperation agreement, marking the start of this initiative. The Swedish Maritime Administration’s and Ports of Stockholm’s traffic centres will merge into a unified maritime traffic centre located at the Värtahamnen port in the capital of Sweden.

“The cooperation between the Swedish Maritime Administration and Ports of Stockholm is unique, and it is gratifying that we can now take this mutual step towards a joint maritime traffic centre. By coordinating resources and skills, we can offer better service and utilise economies of scale, which will benefit both business and society,” commented Erik Eklund, Director General of the Swedish Maritime Administration.

The new maritime traffic centre will manage freight and passenger traffic along Sweden’s east and north coasts, from Oxelösund upwards. It will centralize vital functions such as traffic management, alarm handling, and navigation warnings to ensure safe and smooth maritime traffic.

“With a joint vessel traffic centre, we can optimise the vessels’ arrivals and departures while strengthening safety in the ports,” stated Magdalena Bosson, CEO of Ports of Stockholm.

A combined vessel traffic centre allows for early planning of vessel arrivals, optimizing fuel consumption and enhancing safety. Coordinated staff will provide 24-hour service, reduce solo working, and open up new opportunities for greater efficiency from a sustainability standpoint.

The new maritime traffic centre is expected to be fully operational by 2026, with around 50 employees working in the shared facilities at Värtahamnen, a key hub on Sweden’s east coast.

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