The present study investigates the open-water situation – the ice-free period – and the possible impact on the ship traffic from wind farm development in the Gulf of Bothnia. The main purpose of the study is to iden-tify critical/key areas in the Gulf of Bothnia that need to be preserved for future shipping activities, ensuring the continued safety, sustainability, and efficiency of maritime transport. These findings will inform decision-making processes aimed at optimizing the use of the sea area between maritime transport and wind farm development while considering ethical values.