The Swedish Maritime Administration and Ports of Stockholm establish joint maritime traffic centre

The Swedish Maritime Administration and Ports of Stockholm are taking a historic step by establishing a joint maritime traffic centre in Stockholm. The co-operation will enhance the efficiency and safety of vessel traffic from Oxelösund in the south and up along the entire northern coast of Sweden. 

In early March, the parties signed a cooperation agreement that marks the start of a groundbreaking initiative. The traffic centres of the Swedish Maritime Administration and Ports of Stockholm will form a joint maritime traffic centre in Stockholm.

 "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,” says Erik Eklund (pictured, left), Director General of the Swedish Maritime Administration. “By coordinating resources and skills, we can offer better service and utilise economies of scale, which will benefit both business and society."

The new maritime traffic centre will be responsible for coordinating and managing freight and passenger traffic along the east and north coasts of Sweden, from Oxelösund and northwards. Important functions such as traffic management, alarm management and navigation warnings will be gathered here, with the aim of creating 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," says Magdalena Bosson (right), CEO Ports of Stockholm. 

A joint vessel traffic centre enables, among other things, early planning of vessel calls, which optimises fuel consumption and improves safety. Coordinated personnel will provide optimal 24-hour service, reduce lone working and create new opportunities for efficiency from a sustainability perspective.

The new maritime traffic centre is planned to be fully operational in 2026. In total, around 50 employees will work in the shared premises at the Värtahamnen port - a strategically important hub on Sweden's east coast.