Speech Soenderstrup

MARITIME SAFETYNAVIGATION IN THE BALTICPer Soenderstrup, EMBA, Head of Centre, Danish Maritime AuthorityThe Danish Gateways to the Baltic SeaThe SoundDistance (Skaw – Bornholm): approx. 255 nautical milesMaximum draft: 7.7 metersTraffic 35.000 ships per yearThe Great Belt – Route T:Distance (Skaw – Bornholm): approx. 390 nautical milesRecommended max. draft: 14.5 metersTraffic 25.000 ships per yearCharacteristics• Strong Sea current• High traffic density• Head on situations• Narrow fairways for deepdraught ships• Risk for groundings andcollissionsSAFETY OF NAVIGATIONDefence linesProper voyage planningUse of pilotQuality shipsCompetent crewsResponsible ship ownersSeamarks light housesRoutes Aids to navigationChartsPort State ControlVessel Traffic Services Maritime SurveillanceFlag State inspectionsTechnical standards and equipmentTraining and educationMaritime StandardsOperational standardsCargo ownersHolistic 360 degreesround the compass approach• Use of pilot through the Danish straits (96-98 %)• Monitoring of ships traffic and Vessel Traffic Services• New traffic routes• Inspection of ships in Baltic ports (Port State Control)• Phasing out of single hull oil tankersHolistic 360 degreesround the compass approach• Higher compensation rates for oil spills• Insurance for maritime claims (Bunkers and HNS convention)• New regulations for transfer of oil at sea (STS operations)• Increased capacity for oil spill response• International regulations on alchol intake expected to beadopted at the International Maritime OrganizationDevelopment in ships accidents inthe Great Belt and the SoundRelative small number ofaccidentsLess accidents compared toincrease in ships trafficShift of focus• FROM–Maritime regulations for ships construction andequipment• TO–Competent crews and operational procedures (thehuman element)• AND–environment and climate (emission from ships)The grounding of WANI WILLon 24 February 2008 (Bornholm)Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm SystemIn force from 2011Shall be in operationduring ships navigationECDIS, the maritime GPS navigationssystemIn force from 2012Transportation of liquified natural gas(LNG)• Ships with high safetyand technical standardsand specialized crews• The cargo is transportedat -163 degrees. Notpollutant but inflammable• Limited knowledge ofsafety hazards in case oflarge leakages (fire)THANK YOU