The basic pilotage fee has been increased by 300 euro for all vessel tonnage classes. The pilotage fees collected in the Saimaa waterways are still 26 per cent of the pilotage fees in the coastal waters.
From the start of 2012, the pilotage fee is determined in accordance with the actual piloted distance. Previously, the collected fee was scaled at 10 mile intervals.
The reform of the pilotage fee structure will be utilised to improve the cost coverage of the collected fees. The new pilotage fee structure signifies, in practice, greater changes for shorter distances and, correspondingly, lesser changes for longer piloted distances.
The pilotage fees were not increased at all during the years 1999 - 2010. The current fee adjustment will rectify the imbalance caused by an increase in the cost level and the decrease in the demand for pilotage as brought on by legislative changes.
Pilotage services are provided in all fairways requiring piloting services 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The comprehensive service network and continuous upkeep of service readiness requires sufficient funding.
Even after the adjustment of fees, the pilotage fees in Finland remain among the least expensive in Europe.
Pilotage Director Kari Kosonen, tel. +358 40 741 4625, e-mail: kari.kosonen(at)finnpilot.fi
Economy Director Timo Sirén, tel. +358 40 145 9848, e-mail: timo.siren(at)finnpilot.fi