Sejlrute

Sejlrute is a term used in Danish maritime usage to denote a sea route or shipping lane used by vessels. It can refer to designated corridors on nautical charts as well as commonly followed paths by ships navigating busy waters. The word is formed from sejl (to sail) and rute (route).

Designation and governance: In international waters, many sejlruter are formalized as traffic separation schemes (TSS) or recommended routes under the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In Danish and nearby Danish-influenced waters, national authorities publish and maintain recommended routes to reduce collision risk and environmental impact. Mariners plan voyages using these routes alongside the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and other local regulations.

Typical characteristics and examples: Major European corridors in the North Sea and Baltic Sea are managed with TSS and recommended routes. In Danish waters, routes around the Øresund and the Great Belt are frequently used, while traffic through the Kattegat and Skagerrak often aligns with central shipping lanes toward the North Sea. Sejlruter may be formalized on nautical charts or appear as guidance within national maritime safety publications.

Navigation and planning: Sejlruter are affected by weather, sea state, currents, ice, and traffic density. Voyage planning relies on weather routing, automatic identification system (AIS) data, up-to-date charts, and real-time traffic information, with deviations possible for port calls, emergencies, or adverse conditions.

See also: Shipping lane, Traffic separation scheme, Nautical chart, COLREGs, IMO.