The Swedish Maritime Administration (SMA) and the Ports of Stockholm have joined forces to establish the centre, seated at Värtahamnen, to enhance the efficiency as well as safety of cargo & passenger traffic from Oxelösund-northwards.

The new centre, to be fully operational in 2026, will gather traffic & alarm management as well as navigation warnings. "A joint vessel traffic centre enables, among other things, early planning of vessel calls, which optimises fuel consumption and improves safety. Coordinated personnel [around 50 employees] will provide optimal 24-hour service, reduce lone working, and create new opportunities for efficiency from a sustainability perspective," the parties highlighted in a press release.

Erik Eklund, SMA's Director General, added, "The cooperation between the Swedish Maritime Administration and the Ports of Stockholm is unique and it is gratifying that we can now take this mutual step towards a joint maritime traffic centre. By coordinating resources and skills, we can offer better service and utilise economies of scale, which will benefit both business and society."

The Ports of Stockholm's CEO, Magdalena Bosson, also said, "With a joint vessel traffic centre, we can optimise the vessels' arrivals and departures while strengthening safety in the ports."

Sweden's got two other maritime traffic centres: in Malmö and Gothenburg.

Photo: Per-Erik Adamsson/Ports of Stockholm