A new Sea Traffic Management (STM) project received EU funding from the Interreg Central Baltic Programme. EfficientFlow project is expected to contribute to more efficient traffic flow in the two ports of Gävle and Rauma, as well as in the ScanMed corridor between Stockholm and Turku by implementation of STM and its integration into the full logistic chain. The project will run 2018-2020 with a budget of EUR 4.5 million.
The results will be less manual information exchange, improved processes and practical application of new ICT tools, leading to increased situational awareness among the actors in the ports and at sea in the corridors; connected ports and more flexible route planning; improved port-hinterland information exchange; well-coordinated, faster and more optimized port operations; improved just-in-time processes, saved fuel, less waiting times, improved planning horizon, improved berth productivity and increased flexibility in case of non-expected events.
As a result, ships will adjust speed in order to arrive just-in-time, which means making maritime transport more energy efficient, decreases harmful emissions (CO2), provides positive impact on erosion, as well as provides safety and socio-economic benefits to the corridors. The risk of misunderstanding and misinterpretation of information will also be reduced, which contributes to reduced movement time of goods in the corridors. The results achieved will last beyond the lifetime of the project and are transferrable to other ports and countries in the Central Baltic area.
Magnus Sundström, Head of Research and Innovation at the Swedish Maritime Administration, SMA, said: “We truly appreciate that the Flow Management part of the STM concept can be tested in a live test bed. Safety will increase even more when ships and VTS Turku work with STM-enabled tools. We also appreciate that STM will be further tested and implemented in ports in the Central Baltic Region. “
Project partners are the Swedish Maritime Administration, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Port of Rauma, Port of Gävle and the Finnish Transport Agency.
Sea Traffic Management (STM) connects and updates the maritime world in real time, with efficient information exchange. Through data exchange among selected parties such as ships, service providers and shipping companies, STM is creating a new paradigm for maritime information sharing and digital infrastructure for shipping.
