Optimising icebreaking operations with IBNet

A shared vision for safe and efficient winter navigation

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is responsible for maintaining and developing the service level of roads, railways, and waterways on transport routes administered by the state. It is also responsible for winter navigation and with national coordination, development, and guidance. In total, the agency maintains about 16,300 kilometres of coastal and inland waterways. In addition, they maintain more than 25,000 maritime aids for navigation.

As a long-term partner of Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, Solita helped define, design, and develop IBNet, a system that coordinates the operations of Finnish and Swedish icebreakers and supports the official duties of winter navigation authorities. IBNet brings together a shared situational picture, offering real-time visibility into vessel traffic, weather conditions, and ice forecasts

Key enabler of international co-operation

Today, IBNet is used by winter navigation authorities in both Finland and Sweden, vessel traffic service (VTS) centres, and the icebreakers’ crew. The system’s interactive map view integrates satellite imagery from the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) and with up-to-date weather forecasts from both FMI and the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI). Icebreakers use the platform to plan routes and share the route recommendations with merchant vessels, while authorities manage port assistance restrictions dynamically.

Quality assurance was integral throughout the project, from collaborative UX design with the users to automated testing and end-user acceptance testing. The system’s map-based collaborative interface allows multiple users to coordinate operations simultaneously. It’s a key enabler of international cooperation.

IBNet has added value to Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency’s performance by enabling efficient and smooth coordination of winter navigation, particularly inter-agency cooperation at the international level.

IBNet was designed with business continuity, scalability, and security in mind. Solita has been responsible for the system’s application platform, information security, and user management integration with Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency’s infrastructure. Built on proven technologies and maintained according to ITIL principles, IBNet ensures reliability and resilience for years to come.