Joint maritime traffic centre launched in Stockholm
The Swedish Maritime Administration and Ports of Stockholm have established a joint maritime traffic centre in Stockholm. Bringing maritime traffic management together in shared premises strengthens maritime safety, preparedness and coordination of maritime traffic along Sweden's east and north coast.
The joint maritime traffic centre is located in the Värta terminal in Stockholm. There, the Swedish Maritime Administration and Ports of Stockholm work together in modern, purpose-built premises. The centre has been in operation since the turn of the year and was officially inaugurated on 28 January.
"It is gratifying to inaugurate both a unique collaboration and new, functionally adapted premises,” says Erik Eklund, Director General of the Swedish Maritime Administration. “By coordinating resources and expertise, we gain a clearer overall picture of customer needs, enabling more effective collaboration with ports and shipping stakeholders in northern Sweden and along the east coast. At the same time, we can offer better service and utilise economies of scale, which benefits both business and society."
The new maritime traffic centre is responsible for coordinating freight and passenger traffic from Oxelösund and northwards along the entire east coast. It will bring together important functions such as maritime traffic management, alarm handling, pilot assignment planning, traffic monitoring and the issuance of navigation warnings, with the aim of creating safe and smooth maritime traffic.
"For shipping, this means a more cohesive and predictable transport service. Early and coordinated planning of vessel calls improves safety in ports, reduces waiting times and contributes to more efficient and sustainable transport, " says Magdalena Bosson, CEO Ports of Stockholm.
The world around us is changing rapidly and placing increased demands on cooperation. The joint maritime traffic centre is part of the work to future-proof maritime traffic services in Sweden through a strengthened maritime partnership between authorities and port operations.
By sharing information, operators gain a comprehensive overview of maritime traffic – and can act quickly and in a coordinated way. Modern technology combined with high expertise enables safe and efficient maritime traffic – 24 hours a day, all year round.
A total of around 50 employees work at the joint maritime traffic centre in the Värta terminal – a strategically important hub for shipping on Sweden's east coast.