Providing maritime transport services in Finnish waters is the prerogative of Finnish vessels, with the exception of international trade. Under certain conditions, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency grants a foreign-flagged vessel permission to provide maritime transport services (maritime cabotage) in cases where a vessel flying the Finnish flag or the flag of another EU Member State cannot reasonably be engaged.
Providing maritime transport services in Finnish waters is the prerogative of Finnish vessels, with the exception of international trade. Moreover, vessels that are not Finnish vessels may not engage in cruise transport where the cruise vessel departs from and returns to the same Finnish port.
Under certain conditions, vessels flying the flag of a European Union member state have the right to engage in commercial maritime transport of goods and passengers in Finnish waters (Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3577/92 and (EEC) No. 3921/91). Norwegian vessels are entitled to provide maritime transport services in Finnish waters insofar as the service provided consists of maritime cabotage.
The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency grants a foreign-flagged vessel permission to provide maritime transport services in cases where a vessel flying the Finnish flag what the flag of another EU Member State cannot reasonably be engaged, and either
- the service in question concerns traffic between the Åland Islands and the mainland, or
- there are special grounds for using a foreign-flagged vessel.
Application for a maritime transport cabotage permit is made by sending a written, free-form application to Traficom. The application should give an account of why permission is required and what the special grounds are for the use of a foreign-flagged vessel in Finnish waters. The applicant shall give account of the ports or facilities in Finnish territorial waters that the vessel is intended to operate between. The application should also specify the vessel to be used and its dimensions, as well as including information on the vessel’s currently valid liability insurances. In addition, the application should state the shipowner and their domicile as well as providing information on their ability to take care of their financial responsibilities and duties.
Application for a maritime transport cabotage permit is made by sending a written, free-form application to Traficom. The application should give an account of why permission is required and what the special grounds are for the use of a foreign-flagged vessel in Finnish waters. The applicant shall give account of the ports or facilities in Finnish territorial waters that the vessel is intended to operate between. The application should also specify the vessel to be used and its dimensions, as well as including information on the vessel’s currently valid liability insurances. In addition, the application should state the shipowner and their domicile as well as providing information on their ability to take care of their financial responsibilities and duties.
More detailed instructions on applying for a cabotage permit and the accompanying documents required can be found in the instruction below.
Handling time is normally about 15 working days.