Maritime Data Space (MDS)

The majority of Finland's exports and imports are transported by sea, generationg vast amount of data from the movements of freight vessels and various processes in maritime logistics. However, this data has not yet been fully utilized to streamline traffic in ports. The goal of the Maritime Data Space project is to create practical solutions for sharing data generated by ships, which can not only optimize traffic but also reduce emissions and solve many logistical challenges in ports. Sharing data also helps increase safety by providing real-time information to stakeholders involved in port visits regarding ship movements, weather, and other critical factors.

The architecture being developed in the Maritime Data Space project enables real-time data sharing among various stakeholders. Led by Fintraffic, the Maritime Data Space project establishes rules and governance models for data sharing in the maritime industry, principles for balancing benefits and costs, and verification of technological concepts.

In the data space solution, the focus is on addressing challenges in data sharing from the perspectives of governance models, data management, and value creation - with the technical solution being considered only as a last step.

The project is implemented through two use cases, both aiming to reduce port stay times and fuel consumption. They differ from previous projects aimed at improving maritime logistics in that the emerging solution seeks to address challenges for the entire industry rather than individual operators' challenges.

In the "Just-In-Time Arrivals" use case, analytics are used to optimize a ship's journey and port visit by considering factors such as weather, cargo, and arrival, departure, and turnaround times. Analytical services track ship journeys and provide forecasts and cost estimates based on ship data. The goal is to improve the cost-effectiveness of ships and the use of port resources. This use case is implemented jointly by Awake.AI, Fintraffic VTS, E&S Tankers, and Borealis.

The "Virtual Port Arrivals" use case aims to facilitate ships' arrival at ports. If the situation changes at the port and the berth planned for the ship is occupied, the ship's Notice of Readiness (NOR) can be given from the sea, and the ship can be instructed to slow down to reduce fuel consumption. Currently, the notice of readiness can only be given when the ship is either at anchor or at the port all fast and ready for loading or discharging. This use case is implemented by Siili Solutions, Fintraffic VTS, ESL Shipping, Yara, and the ports of Oxelösund and Raahe.

What additional value does the Maritime Data Space bring to the maritime industry? 

The main value of the project arises when ship turnaround times in ports are reduced, and CO2 emissions decrease. Additionally, through the shared data distribution service, the situational awareness of ports is improved, communication between different parties is enhanced, and smarter decision-making is supported through AI and machine learning. The data distribution service also helps anticipate future problem situations, enabling proactive intervention before problems occur.

Other additional value factors resulting from the project include utilizing more diverse data for new innovations, strengthening the maritime industry ecosystem, and reducing the costs of the data-sharing platform when shared with multiple stakeholders.