Pilotage fees will increase 6% from 1 January 2026

Finnpilot Pilotage Ltd is increasing its pilotage fees by 6% as of 1 January 2026. The increase concerns both basic and mileage-based pilotage fees. The fees related to other aspects of the pilotage process, such as the standby, cancellation and order transfer fees, will remain unchanged.

Europe’s economic forecasts are cautious, and Germany’s development, in particular, has an impact on Finland’s exports. Uncertainty in China and the United States is contributing to increasing global insecurity. The number of vessels making stops in Finnish ports has risen slightly compared to the previous year, but at the same time, the calculated share of piloted vessels entering coastal ports in Finland has decreased; at the end of August 2025, the figure was 33% (34.1% at the end of 2024).

Maintenance of the service level in the face of fluctuating demand

The daily number of pilotage assignments varies significantly in Finnish ports and can be as much as three times as high as on busy days. The provision of pilotage services requires the same maintenance of the national network even during quieter periods. The availability of pilots is vital for customers and the level of service is repeatedly highlighted as the most relevant factor in customer surveys. Finnpilot’s level of service is measured by the standby time for pilotage. In coastal waters, the standby time is a maximum of three (3) hours and, in the Saimaa waterways, six (6) hours.

“From a savings potential perspective, maintaining a uniform level of service on all piloted routes will require further assessment together with customers. Special attention will be paid to those routes with less traffic”, says Kari Kosonen, CEO of Finnpilot.

“Advance information on the need for pilotage is key for the efficiency of the service. Co-operation with customers has been good and we hope that it will continue”, Kosonen adds.

Personnel costs and price increases for services

Collective agreement solutions will bring the pilotage company a cost increase of approximately 2.9% in 2026. In addition, the wave of retirements in the coming years will force Finnpilot to face a significant generational change. The trainee phase for new pilots lasts at least six months, during which the company incurs additional salary costs. The number of Finnpilot’s person-years has decreased by about 20% over the past five years, which is relative to the decrease in pilotage assignments. The most significant factor has been the cessation of piloted vessel traffic in Saimaa in recent years In 2025, Finnpilot recruited new pilots for the first time in five years.

The costs are also affected by price increases for Finnpilot’s service acquisitions. Emissions reduction targets require investments, the cost impacts of which are assessed carefully. Obligations under the new Pilotage Act to maintain continuity and readiness also increase costs, especially at critical stations.

The price of pilotage in Finland remains internationally competitive. The new pilotage fee charts and the prices of the examination-related services have been published on the Hinnasto ja hintalaskuri -sivulla >>.

The level of the pilotage fees was decided by the Board of Directors of Finnpilot Pilotage Ltd. at its meeting on 29 September 2025.

Further information
Kari Kosonen, CEO, kari.kosonen@finnpilot.fi, tel. +358 40 741 4625
Timo Siren, Financial Director, timo.siren@finnpilot.fi, tel. +358 40 145 9848