MONA LISA Kick-off Meeting HELCOM perspective on maritime transport Nariné Svensson, SMA 14 June 2011, Stockholm
Helsinki Commission - HELCOM International co-operation since 1974 (new Convention signed in 1992) Aim: to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea Mandate: to address all sources of pollution on land, at sea and airborne Intergovermental organization involving 10 Contracting Parties: all 9 Baltic Sea Coastal States (EU and non-eu) and the European Union Observers: Belarus, Ukraine, inter-governmental and nongovernmental organisations Secretariat located in Helsinki, Finland
Main concerns for the Baltic Sea Pollution from land-based sources (directly to the sea, via rivers, and via the atmosphere) Impacts of shipping (emissions to the air, discharges into the sea, accidents, introduction of alien species) Destruction of habitats (fishing gear, dreding, gravel extraction, coastal development, off-shore installations) Unsustainable use of resources, e.g. fisheries Ecosystem health status of the Baltic Sea, HOLAS 2010
HELCOM s work on maritime safety Phasing out the use of single-hull oil tankers Winter navigation: use of ice-classed vessels and imposing of traffic restrictions in icy conditions Harmonized hydrographic re-surveys -> routes coverage with Electronic Nautical Charts -> enhanced use of the Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (in cooperation with BSHC) Establishing of the Baltic Sea as: a special area under Annex I (oil) and V (garbage) of MARPOL 73/78 an SOx Emission Control Area as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (except for the Russian waters)
HELCOM Automatic Identification System (AIS) Decided in the Copenhagen Declaration in 2001 Established in 2005 - Baltic Sea countries and Norway HELCOM Expert Working Group facilitates mutual exchange and deliveries of AIS data (Sweden the lead) Primary aim to increase safety of navigation, but also other uses A number of AIS-based tools e.g. HELCOM SeaTrack Web/AIS - an oil drift forecasting system integrated with information from the AIS
Monitoring of non-compliant ships HELCOM/EMSA Single Hull Tanker (SHT) System in the Baltic detects single hull tankers banned carrying heavy oil
Routeing measures
HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan Adopted on 15 November 2007 in Krakow, Poland Regional application of the Ecosystem Approach Regional programme of measures aimed at obtaining a healthy Baltic Sea A show case for other marine regions Follow-up process in place
Baltic Sea Action Plan Maritime component Joint actions in IMO in order to: amend Annex IV to MARPOL 73/78 with requirements on nutrient discharges in sewage from passenger ships designation of the Baltic Sea as Special Area tighten regulations concerning NOx emissions from ships within the revision of Annex VI to MARPOL 73/78 the on-going work on designation of the Baltic Sea as NOx Emission Control Area (NECA) introduce the necessary modification of Automatic Identification System (AIS) to improve safety and environmental protection speed up introduction of a general requirement for carriage by ships of an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) to decrease risk of groundings
Sewage discharges from passenger ships Passenger traffic approx. 11% of the overall traffic in the Baltic IMO approved to designate the Baltic Sea a control area under Annex IV of MARPOL sewage has to be treated to remove nutrients or delievered to port reception facilities (PRF) Conditional entry into force adequate reception facilities to be available HELCOM Cooperation Platform for PRF to facilitate dialogue and share best practices in upgrading and operation of reception facilities
Reducing emissions from ships NOx emissions from ships reached 393 kt in 2008 Shipping in the Baltic Sea contributes 9% to the deposition of NOx, and 5% to the total N deposition to the sea Only 80% reduction in NOx emissions from ships would reverse its increasing trend by 2030 Work on designating the Baltic Sea as a NOx Emission Control Area under Annex VI to MARPOL is ongoing Only in 2036-2046 all ships operating in a NECA will be covered by the more stringent NECA requirements - some voluntary measures are needed Application of economic incentives allows addressing also the existing ships and coming to a level playing field. Total NOx emissions, 2008, ShipNODeff
BSAP and follow-up actions Maritime component Speeded implementation and ratification of international conventions, including liability and compensation conventions and Ballast Water Management Convention Enhaneced cooperation on places of refuge New 2010 HELCOM Recommendation on Mutual Plan for Places of Refuge to be able to grant the most safe shelter to a ship in need of assistance Comprehensive risk assessment of shipping accidents and pollution covering the whole Baltic Sea (BRISK and BRISK- RU projects) HELCOM Recommendation 28E/11 to increase safety and efficiency of winter navigation in the Baltic Sea (icebreaking services, education) Speeded hydrographic re-survey of areas important for navigation and environmental protection revised Baltic Sea Re-Survey Scheme, in cooperation with BSHC
Concluding remarks MONA LISA practical implementation of the HELCOM commitments and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (HELCOM and BSHC co-leading the flagship activity on hydrographic re-surveys) The e-navigation applications within MONA LISA are also in line with the aim and the work of HELCOM and HELCOM BSAP when it comes to maritime safety and environmental performance. Many opportunities to co-operate and make use of extensive HELCOM networks to enhance the use of projects outcomes: HELCOM Maritime Group (15-17 November, Helsinki) Next HELCOM Ministerial meeting in 2013 review of implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan Baltic Sea Hydrographic Commission and HELCOM experts on maritime safety regarding prioritization of areas for hydrographic re-surveys.
Thank you! For more information please contact: Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) Katajanokanlaituri 6 B FI-00160 Helsinki Finland Adopted HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan is available from www.helcom.fi