BSPC Maritime Policy (Soramaeki)

Maritime Policy,Geopolitics and Finland2ndMEETING OF THE BSPC WORKING GROUP ONENERGY SECURITY, SELF -SUSTAINABILITY, RESILIENCE ANDCONNECTIVITYJussi Soramäki, Senior Ministerial Advisor,Government Strategy Department•Finland is dependent on maritime transport. 95 percent ofexports and imports to Finland are transported by sea•Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine has further emphasizedthe importance of maritime transport -the national border sharedwith Russia, which is 1344 km, is almost entirely closed•The Baltic is the main shipping route and lifeline for FinlandFinland is technically an island3/17/20242|3/17/20243|•Helsinki is a very busy passenger port , number onein Europe•No insurance -no shipping? Saimaa Canal as anexample .•Is there an alternative to Baltic Sea shipping route?The rail network of Finland does not have thestandard gauge -no direct link to Swedish orNorwegian rail networkMaritime transport•Pipelines : Balticconnector case•Electric cables•Power Market (Nord Pool) disruption and electricity shortages•Disconnecting offshore wind parks•Submarine communications cables : no net access ?•Protecting maritime infrastructure in theEEZ and thefreedom ofthesea?Connectivity is under threat3/17/20244|•Shadow fleet, i.e. tankers transporting oilfromRussian ports in theGulf of Finland -possibility for amajor oilspill•Waste water from St Petersburg and theLeningradOblast -wastewater treatment disruptions•Deliberate hybrid acts resulting in major pollution oftheBaltic SeaPossible environmental threats andrisks3/17/20245|•HELCOM (Helsinki Convention )•On a strategic pause , Russia is oneof thetencontracting parties•CBSS ( Council of Baltic SeaStates )•Finland is chairing CBSS at themoment•Expert Group on Sustainable Maritime Economy•Russia and Belarus were suspended and lefttheCouncil in 2022•EUSBSR (European Union Strategy for theBaltic SeaRegion )•Business as usualBaltic Seaco-operation hasbeen verysuccessful -until now3/17/20246|3/17/20247|