The Erasmus+ DigiMar project, concluding at the end of September, has brought together maritime higher education institutions and VTS organisations from six European countries. The project has developed open-access learning materials based on authentic communication situations, as well as research-based recommendations for improving routine maritime communication.

The EU co-funded NELSON project has reached its first anniversary. As expected, the first year has focused largely on planning and preparations to establish a solid foundation for the work ahead. At the same time, several activities have now moved into the implementation phase, marking an important transition from planning to delivery.

As part of the NELSON project, the functionality of a ship reporting portal developed by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) over several years was put to the test in Europe-wide operational trials. The tests support NELSON’s work to integrate EMSA’s Integrated Reports Distribution (IRD) platform into national reporting systems in Finland and Sweden—and thereby advancing the digitalisation of maritime reporting.

By 2040, the Finnish transport system will have been shaped by a number of major drivers: climate change, uncertainty in the security environment, technological advancement, transport regulation and the changing needs of mobility and logistics. These changes will increase the need to develop the transport system as a whole, more proactively and with a higher impact. Fintraffic’s Traffic Vision describes developments in Finland's transport system until 2040 and highlights the importance of an intelligent transport system for Finland’s competitiveness, reliability of society and smooth everyday life.

During the first six months of this year, Fintraffic’s traffic management has operated safely and in line with the objectives for all modes of transport. This has been highly important for the whole of Finland as our airspace and maritime areas have had to be closed due to ongoing military operations nearby. Meanwhile, we have driven reforms that strengthen the reliability, continuity and efficiency of traffic control operations. Demand for digital transport services continues to grow steadily, indicating increasing importance of up-to-date traffic information for people and the entire transport system.

After three years of piloting digital maritime services in the Baltic Sea region, the MaDaMe project is hosting its final seminar, "Shaping the Future of e-Navigation".

Renovation work in the Vuosaari tunnel has progressed during the summer, and the project is well on schedule. The upgrading of tunnel safety equipment and other tunnel technology as well as the replacement of the drainage and extinguishing water systems running under the tunnel are at an advanced stage. Next, the tunnel will proceed to a large-scale testing phase.

Passengers move about in an unhurried manner along the corridors of a ship – some are heading to eat, while others are admiring the view of the winter landscape behind the large panoramic windows. Passengers include those travelling to Pärnu for a spa holiday with their own car and professional drivers for whom this voyage is part of their route to Muuga Harbour.

Remote pilotage continues to attract growing international interest. Within the EU-co-funded NELSON project, Finnpilot Pilotage is leading the development of future remote pilotage concepts together with pilots, researchers, technology providers and other stakeholders. The aim is to better understand the operational, technical and human factors that will shape future implementation.

Fintraffic will be controlling train traffic outside Finland for the first time when VR starts passenger train traffic from Tornio to Haparanda in Sweden in August. Fintraffic is responsible for the traffic control of the new train connection on both sides of the border.

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According to Fintraffic’s traffic data, approximately half of drivers on Finland’s main roads exceed the speed limit. Most drivers exceed the speed limit by only a small margin, but even minor speeding increases the risk of a serious traffic accident.

The autumn school semester is about to begin and there will be tens of thousands of new road users in traffic again as first-graders start school. For many children, the school journey is one of their first independent journeys in traffic. Fintraffic would like to remind everyone that as school children fill the streets, drivers should follow the traffic rules with particular care and pay even more attention to their surroundings, especially near pedestrian crossings and schools.

Despite rising fuel prices and the overall economic situation, mobility in Finland is still very much car-driven. When choosing their mode of transport, Finns put priority on the practical aspects of everyday life, costs and quick connections. Car remains the dominant mode of transport for everyday journeys and holiday trips.

Sanna Järvenpää, CEO of Fintraffic Rail, believes that the best ideas are born in an environment where people dare to think out loud, challenge old practices, and boldly try new things.