Advance notification model for departing vessels to change on 1 June 2026

Finnpilot’s service terms for pilotage will be updated with changes related to advance notifications. The changes concern vessels departing from Finnish ports and specify the time limits and practices related to providing advance notifications and placing pilotage orders. The aim is to clarify operating models and ensure the smooth and predictable provision of pilotage services.

Going forward, advance notifications will be based on a clearer model that better reflects the everyday operations of ship agents and ports, in which:

• advance notifications are updated regularly during the day (morning–afternoon–evening), rather than being tied solely to the vessel’s estimated time of departure, and
• the need for notifications during night-time is reduced.

The model supports a smooth pilotage service and improved shared situational awareness. The updated service terms will be published on Finnpilot’s website on 1 May and will enter into force on 1 June 2026.

Background to the change: towards smoother and more predictable cooperation

The background to the amendment of the service terms is a pilot carried out by the advance information working group, in which Finnpilot developed a new notification model together with ship agents around the turn of 2025–2026.

In the initial situation, the quality and timeliness of advance notifications required by regulations varied, particularly with regard to departing vessels. This placed a burden on operational planning, complicated transport and rest period planning, and weakened the shared situational awareness. The allocation of responsibilities related to advance notifications was also at times unclear, both for Finnpilot and for customers.

As a solution, a joint advance information working group was established, with representatives from Finnpilot and ship agents operating in different ports. The working group met regularly to assess the current situation and to jointly develop a more functional model for providing advance information. As part of the pilot, a new three-stage morning–afternoon–evening update model for departing vessels was tested, designed to better match port working rhythms. The model replaced the previous vessel-specific, ETA-based advance notifications and proved to be clearer and easier to comply with. The pilot was launched in October 2025 in selected ports and companies.

The results were positive: the timeliness of advance information improved, errors were reduced, and in particular the need for updates during night-time decreased. The pilot strengthened the reliability of information and improved shared situational awareness. The working group also developed regular reporting to customers on compliance with the service terms, as well as a clear responsibility allocation table for advance notifications.

Based on the successful pilot, the new notification model will be introduced nationwide in Finland. The change will be published as part of Finnpilot’s service terms on 1 May 2026 and will enter into force on 1 June 2026.

Finnpilot’s current service terms and conditions can be found on the Terms of Service page. The service terms entering into force June 1 can be found in Finnish on the Finnish version (Palveluehdot) page. The English translation will be added before June 1.

For more information:

Jutta Heinisuo, Service Manager, jutta.heinisuo@finnpilot.fi