The aim of Miska Turunen’s (SAMK, Industrial Engineering and Management, 2026) recent thesis was to determine how fairway dues are determined and how large the fairway dues become for a single vessel call in the Baltic Sea countries.
The comparison examined the fairway dues systems of Finland, Sweden, Estonia and Latvia, as well as their impact on the costs of different vessel types. In all these countries, there is a maritime tax-like fee levied on a vessel call, which is comparable to Finland’s fairway dues.
In the comparison, fairway dues were calculated for eight example vessels according to each country’s rules. The calculations were made based on the 2026 fee levels.
According to the study, the countries’ fairway dues systems differ significantly from each other. The differences concern not only the amount of the fees, but also the basis for their determination. Underlying factors include national objectives related to environmental steering and ice classification.
Due to the differences, the fairway dues for vessels vary significantly in the study countries, even if the vessel call is similar.
Based on the results, Finland’s fairway dues were generally the highest among the comparison countries. Finland’s fee was the highest in seven out of the eight cases examined. The results state that our country’s high fee level does not appear to be linked to a single vessel type, but concerns both passenger vessels and several cargo vessels.
According to Turunen, the results give reason to examine the level of Finland’s fairway dues and their impact on the operating conditions of maritime transport.The work suggests that, in addition to cost recovery, it would be appropriate to assess whether the current fees are in proportion to the system’s objectives.
Turunen, Miska (2026): Comparison of fairway dues systems and fairway dues levels in the Baltic Sea countries
