The R&D activities of the Finnish Maritime Administration (FMA) support the achievement of the strategic objectives of the overall Administration and produce information to serve as a foundation for further strategic and operational decision-making. The research efforts endeavour to clarify the state of the navigational and administrational operationing environment and to forecast any changes thereto. The R&D activities also play an important role in developing the expertise of the Administration’s existing personnel and training new personnel.

The critical success factors in terms of the R&D activities include:

determining the proper orientation for the activities, locating sufficient funding, and ensuring the utilisation of the results, and internal productivity and efficiency.

The Administration management has completed its plan for the R&D work of the FMA for the years 2007-2012.
 
In accordance with the plan, altogether 12 themes have been selected to guide the R&D activities. Over the coming years, the activities will primarily be focused on the following research themes:

• Vessel safety
• Electronic navigational safety
• Development of processes
• Development of electronic customer services
• Development of winter navigational safety and functionality
• Development of production tools
• Development of fairway technology