BSPC_SC_Brussels_021725

HELCOM, shipping & responseRüdiger StrempelBSPC SCBrussels, February 17th, 2025The HELCOM vision“A healthy Baltic Sea environment with diverse biologicalcomponents functioning in balance, resulting in a goodecological status and supporting a wide range ofsustainable economic and social activities.”Catchment area:4x area of the seaPopulation (catchment):85 millionBusy waterway: on average ~1500 ships a dayUnique but young andfragile ecosystemThe Baltic SeaMultitude of pressuresaffecting the BalticSea-basedpressuresHELCOM and shipping: The ConventionArticle 3 (1) : The Contracting Parties shall individually or jointly take all appropriate legislative,administrative or other relevant measures to prevent and eliminate pollution in order to promotethe eecological restoration of the Baltic Sea Area and the preservation of its ecological balance.Article 8 (1) : In order to protect the Baltic Sea area from pollution by ships, the Contracting Partiesshall take measures as set out in Annex IV.Article 14 :The Contracting Parties shall individually and jointly take, as set out in Annex VII, allappropriate measures to maintain adequate ability and to respond to pollution incicents in order toeliminate or minimize the consequences of these incidents to the marine environment of the BalticSea AreaHELCOM and shipping: The ConventionArticle 24 (1): Contracting Parties undertake toexchange data and other scientific information for thepurposes of this Convention (...) In order to facilitateresearch and monitoring activities in the Baltic SeaArea the Contracting Parties undertake to harmonizetheir policies with respect to permission proceduresfor conducting such activities.Article 24 (2) : Contracting Parties undertake...topromote studies and to undertake, support orcontribute to programmes aimed at developingmethods assessing the nature and extent of pollution,pathways, exposures, risks and remedies in the BalticSea Area (...)Annex IV : Prevention of pollution from shipsAnnex VII : Response to pollution incidentsHELCOM and Shipping: 2021 Baltic Sea Action Plan (2021BSAP)✓Safe maritime traffic withoutaccidental pollution✓Effective emergency andresponse capabilities✓Enforce international regulations– no illegal dischargesHELCOM and shipping: ActivitiesDue to its international nature, shipping is primarilyregulated through the IMO•HELCOM plays an important role in harmonizingimplementation of IMO regulations and guidelinesin the Baltic Sea region.•HELCOM is proactive in amending IMO regulationsthrough joint proposals negotiated within HELCOM(e.g. MARPOL Annex IV Baltic Sea special area forsewage).•The HELCOM Expert Group on Safety of Navigation(EG Safe Nav) works to enhance navigational safetythrough regional cooperation and coordination ofproposals to the IMO on safety measures.•Longstanding cooperation on responding to spills.Response Cooperation and CoordinationHelsinki Convention Article 14 on co -operation in combatting marine pollution:The Contracting Parties shall individually and jointly take, as set out in Annex VII, all appropriate measures to maintainadequate ability and to respond to pollution incidents in order to eliminate or minimize the consequences of theseincidents to the marine environment of the Baltic Sea Area.Annex VII of the Helsinki Convention on Response to Pollution Incidents:The HELCOM countries have agreed to maintain the ability to respond to pollution incidents threatening the marineenvironment of the Baltic Sea Area. This ability shall include adequate equipment, ships and manpower prepared foroperations at sea or on the shore.Regulation 10 on Regular Co -operation:The Contracting Parties shall on a regular basis arrange joint operational combatting exercises as well asalarm exercises. The Contracting Parties shall also on a regular basis arrange exercises on the shore.Regulation 11 on application of the HELCOM Response Manual:The Contracting Parties agree to apply, as far as practicable, the principles and rules included in theHELCOM Manual on Co -operation in Response to Marine Pollution, detailing this Annex and adopted bythe Commission or by the Group designated by the Commission for this purpose.Response cooperation and coordination•Operational procedures•Cooperation, harmonization,administrative procedures, financialarrangements etc. ( HELCOM Manual onCo-operation in Response to MarinePollution )•At sea•On shore•Oiled wildlife response•Exercises (BALEX DELTA)•Aerial surveillance (incl. satellite images)•Reports•Risk assessmentsSurveillance, detection and monitoringoperations - Annual reports•2023 Aerial Surveillance report published in August2024•The number of observed spills has steadily declinedover the years•24% of detected spills were confirmed as mineral oil•76% were identified as other substances (e.g. othernoxious liquid substances, fish oil, vegetable oil orgreywater), garbage, litter, floating objects orunknown observations•Most spills are very small (<1m3)•Responding to spills of novel fuel types and productsis a challengeRisk assessment•Previous risk analysis: Sub-regional risk of spill of oil and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea(BRISK ), 2009 -2012•Analysed high risks areas, most sensitive areas in case of spills, helped Contracting Partiesensure sufficient and targeted response capacities.•A lot has changed since 2012 (number and size of ships, routes, transported products,offshore constructions etc.). Validity of BRISK results ended in 2020 .•2021 Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) action S31 calls for conducting a feasibility study by 2022, andas appropriate, undertake a risk analysis for oil and hazardous and noxious substances (HNS)pollution of the marine environment in the Baltic Sea area by 2025•Feasibility study approved in 2022, whereafter the drafting of a project application was led byHELCOM. EU funding confirmed in 2024 → BRISK II started in 2025•BRISK II will undertake a new long -term risk analysis for oil and HNS spills in the Baltic Sea•Taking into account current situation, including the shadow fleet.•Crucial for the Contracting Parties to plan their response fleets and operations, and to putrisk reducing measures into place.•Increased risk of accidents and spills due to“shadow fleet” activities, including relatedincrease in ship -to-ship transfer operations (STS)at sea has been recognized by WG Maritime•HELCOM Recommendation 28/3 on Guidelines onbunkering operations and ship -to-ship cargotransfer (2007)•Supplementing MARPOL Annex 1 regulations on STS•Discussions on possible revision of theRecommendation ongoing•National regulations and practices in HELCOMContracting Parties vary•Need to consider also other cargoes andalternative fuelsIncreased risk: the “shadow fleet” and ship -to-ship transferoperations (STS)Lithuania: 1 July 2024 –30 June 2026Priorities:(1) Strengthening HELCOM's role in the context ofgeopolitical challenges ;(2) Seeking a balance between the Blue Economyand environmental protection;(3) Seeking dialogue with the public by involvingthem in decision -makingChairmanship priorities of LithuaniaFollow us@helcominfo.bsky.socialfacebook.com/helcominfolinkedin.com/company/helcominfoinstagram.com/helcominfoyoutube.com/@HELCOMhttps://helcom.fiThank you for your attention!Follow us@helcominfo.bsky.socialfacebook.com/helcominfolinkedin.com/company/helcominfoinstagram.com/helcominfoyoutube.com/@HELCOMhttps://helcom.fi