Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

​Today’s meeting of the HELCOM Group of Experts on Safety of Navigation () will discuss further measures to improve safety of navigation in the Baltic Sea region under the chairmanship of Mr. Valtteri Laine, Finnish Transport Safety Agency.  Among the topics on the agenda is a discussion on enhanced cooperation between HELCOM, the Baltic Sea Hydrographic and the Baltic Ordnance Survey Board, to further increase the safety of ships’ main routes by combining re-surveys with targeted clearance of historical mines. The Baltic Ordnance Survey Board is a regional cooperation structure carrying out joint mine clearance operations in the Baltic Sea region. The Baltic Sea Hydrographic Commission is regional cooperation under the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) which has since long been cooperating with HELCOM to implement the regional re-survey scheme, originally adopted at the HELCOM Meeting of Ministers of Transport in Copenhagen 2001. Other issues include improving the annual HELCOM accident reports as well as implementation of e-navigation solutions in the region–a joint commitment by the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting.  * * *Note for editorsShipping has steadily increased in the Baltic Sea during the last decade, reflecting intensifying co-operation and economic prosperity around the region. On the average, 2,000 ships are at sea every day and by 2017, maritime transport of goods in the region has been estimated to double. At the same time, increasing maritime transportation threatens fragile ecosystems and the livelihoods of the many people who depend on the sea. The Maritime Group of HELCOM (), and its sub-groups like the , identifies and promotes actions to limit sea-based pollution and ways for safer navigation. It also works to ensure enforcement and harmonized implementation of IMOs international shipping regulations in accordance to the 1992 Helsinki Convention. * * * For further information, please contact:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199Skype: helcom02E-mail: hermanni.backer(@)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

Today the HELCOM expert group on safety of navigation discusses improving cooperation between Baltic Sea Hydrographic Commission, Baltic Ordnance Survey Board and HELCOM.

​The actions in immediate future for more coherent Baltic spatial planning are in key focus in the regular of HELCOM and Visions and Strategies around the Baltic Sea (VASAB), starting today in Riga, Latvia. The work plan discussed in the 2-day Meeting will help implement the recent for regional maritime spatial planning (MSP) 2013–2020, adopted by the 2013 HELCOM Copenhagen . The two organisations, having co-led Horizontal Action on Spatial Planning for 3 years, have a stable working procedure by e.g. hosting biannual working group meetings. Another central topic in the Meeting is the preparations for the on 26 September 2014, in Tallinn, Estonia.  The Meeting will be co-chaired by the Working Group Co-Chairs Ms. Anita Mäkinen, Finland, and Mr. Andrzej Cieślak, Poland.  * * *Note for editors:A joint co-chaired on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP), launched in October 2010, works to ensure cooperation among the Baltic Sea region countries for coherent regional MSP processes. The co-chairs are and the Vision and Strategies around the Baltic Sea (), which also co-lead the Horizontal Action ‘Spatial Planning’ of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. The Working Group facilitates the follow-up of Regional Baltic Maritime Spatial Planning Roadmap 2013–2020, with the aim to draw up and apply maritime spatial plans throughout the Baltic Sea Region which are coherent across borders and apply the ecosystem approach. The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974 HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. For further information:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Response, Maritime and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel: +358 (0)46 850 9199Fax: +358 (0)207 412 645E-mail: hermanni.backer@helcom.fiSkype: helcom02 Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 (0)40 523 8988Fax: +358 (0)207 412 639E-mail: johanna.laurila@helcom.fiSkype: helcom70

The work plan discussed in the 2-day HELCOM-VASAB meeting will help implement the Roadmap for MSP 2013–2020.

​The , consisting of competent pollution incident authorities of all the Baltic Sea coastal countries and European Union services, convenes today for its regular three day meeting in Szczecin, Poland.Under the Chairmanship of Mr. , Swedish Coast Guard, the participants will i.a. share information on last year’s response operations, discuss revision of the hazardous and noxious substances sections of the HELCOM Manual on Co-operation on Marine Pollution response (the HELCOM Response manual) as well as consider the future of HELCOM communication procedures related to notifying and requesting assistance to spills in light of new EU developments.The Meeting will also consider implementation of other pollution preparedness and response issues highlighted by the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting. * * *Note to Editors:The HELCOM cooperation on Baltic regional pollution preparedness and response has been in place since 1976. The working group, currently entitled , has created a highly operational regional response system covering all the Baltic Sea countries, where information on accidents and illegal pollution, as well as response fleet and capacity, are shared with a minimum delay. The procedure is documented in the HELCOM Response Manual.The HELCOM RESPONSE Group also coordinates the aerial surveillance of maritime shipping routes to provide a complete picture of sea-based pollution around the Baltic, and to help identify suspected polluters. The present Chair of the Group is Mr. of the Swedish Coast Guard.Although growing traffic is a positive sign of intensified cooperation in the Baltic Sea region and a prospering economy, it also makes potentially polluting shipping accidents more likely. Collisions and groundings have increased, and these days there are some 120–140 shipping accidents in the Baltic Sea area every year. Fortunately, most of the accidents in the Baltic do not cause notable pollution. Over the period 2000–2009, an average of 7% of all reported accidents resulted in some kind of pollution. However, even just one large-scale accident would seriously threaten the marine environment. Two of the five most serious accidents in the Baltic marine area have occurred since 2001 – involving “Baltic Carrier” in 2001 (2,700 tons of oil spilt), and “Fu Shan Hai” in 2003 (1,200 tons of oil spilt).  * * * (Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission) is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. HELCOM is the governing body of the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area,” more usually known as the Helsinki Convention. The Convention has also targeted provisions on response to pollution incidents. * * *For more information, please contact:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Response, Maritime and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel: +358 (0)46 850 9199Fax: +358 (0)207 412 645E-mail: Hermanni.backer@helcom.fiSkype: helcom02 Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 (0)40 523 8988Fax: +358 (0)207 412 639E-mail: johanna.laurila@helcom.fiSkype: helcom70 

Baltic Sea pollution incident authorities gather for annual review and planning for future.

A new task force on migratory fish species, established under the HELCOM Fisheries and Environment , held its first meeting yesterday in Berlin, Germany. The new group consists of regional experts and stakeholders and answers the urgent need to improve the status of Baltic Sea migratory fish species including salmon, sea trout, eel and sturgeon. The recently released categorised salmon and sea trout as Vulnerable (VU), eel as Critically Endangered (CR) and sturgeon as Regionally Extinct (RE). Therefore, the main objective of the new task force is to improve the situation of these species by addressing actions concerning migratory fish in the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and HELCOM 2013 Ministerial Declaration.  The work of the task force will primarily focus on nature conservation and habitat restoration measures and actions in rivers of the Baltic Sea Area. This will be enabled through regular exchange of information and best practices related to restoration activities for Baltic migratory fish species between experts as well as other stakeholders in the Baltic Sea. * * *Note for editors:The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as the , is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974 HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. For further information, please contact:Mikhail Durkin Professional Secretary  – LAND Group, AGRI/ENV FORUM, FISH/ENV FORUM E-mail: mikhail.durkin@helcom.fiTel. +358 46 850 9195 Skype: helcom04

The task force answers the urgent need to improve the status of Baltic Sea migratory fish species.

To advance sustainable shipping and reduce emissions of pollutants such as Sulphur (SOx) and Nitrogen (NOx) in the Baltic, the of the Council of the Baltic Sea States () and have launched this morning a regional platform of business and public partners to promote the development and use of green technology and alternative fuels in shipping in the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Development Forum and the Northern Dimension Partnership on Transport and Logistics also cooperate in the launch of the platform. The aim of the new platform is to bring together policy makers, administrations, business community, financial experts; as well as research and development representatives to work on a joint understanding on the way forward.  The kickoff event today on-board the passenger ship M/V Viking Grace, fueled by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), will draft a “Roadmap for future actions” in the field of green technology and alternative fuels in shipping in the Baltic Sea area. The Roadmap outlines draft priority actions, lead partners and timelines for joint actions for further consideration and finalization during spring 2014. The establishment of the platform stems from a commitment agreed at the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting 3 October 2013 to work towards the creation of a joint “Green Technology and Alternative Fuels Platform for Shipping” together with other regional actors in the Baltic Sea. The early introduction of alternative fuels and green technology in the Baltic will reduce NOx emissions from shipping. The platform thus supplements the ongoing process to designate the Baltic Sea as a Nitrogen Emission Control Area (NECA) under the MARPOL Convention of the International Maritime Organisation, a hot topic during the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting. * * *Note for editorsShipping has steadily increased in the Baltic Sea during the last decade, reflecting intensifying co-operation and economic prosperity around the region. On the average, 2,000 ships are at sea every day and by 2017, maritime transport of goods in the region has been estimated to double.  At the same time, increasing maritime transportation threatens fragile ecosystems and the livelihoods of the many people who depend on the sea. The Maritime Group of HELCOM () identifies and promotes actions to limit sea-based pollution and ways for safer navigation. It also works to ensure enforcement and harmonized implementation of international shipping regulations. * * *For further information, please contact:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Planning HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 8509199 Skype: helcom02 E-mail: hermanni.backer@helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila@helcom.fi​

HELCOM, CBSS and regional partners join forces to advance sustainable shipping and reduce emissions of pollutants.

An expert workshop today kicks off the second round of HELCOM work on core indicators, which measure the state of and pressures affecting the Baltic Sea environment. The workshop is organized by the recently started HELCOM project (2013–2015) that has the objective of operationalizing the first mutually agreed core indicators for biodiversity, hazardous substances and eutrophication, and to possibly develop additional ones. HELCOM, involving all Baltic coastal countries and EU as its Contracting Parties as well as an extensive specialist expert and observer network, has long experience in indicator development. HELCOM core indicators are common for all Contracting Parties and can be used to assess the state of the whole Baltic Sea ecosystem, including its flora, fauna and habitats, as well as pressures affecting the Sea such as hazardous substances like PCB and radioactive substances. Core indicators analyze data from environmental monitoring and measure the environment’s state against a target or boundary value for good environmental status (GES). They are also a prerequisite for comparing monitoring data and assessment results across the entire Baltic Sea region. Such indicators enable assessments of whether the objectives of are being met, and, for the countries being EU members, also the requirements of the . * * *Note for editorsThe Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has governed the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further information, please contact:Lena AvellanProject Manager, CORESET IIHELCOM Tel: +358 40 162 2054Skype: helcom35 E-mail:   Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail:

An expert workshop today kick offs the second round of HELCOM work on core indicators, which measure the state of and pressures affecting the Baltic

The work for a revised, scientifically sound, well-coordinated and cost-effective HELCOM monitoring programme moves forward in a project workshop closing today, with a focus on developing joint monitoring fact sheets templates, among others. The fact sheets will help the Baltic coastal countries to document the HELCOM monitoring work and on a broader level, to meet with the requirements of both HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The Meeting is organized by the project “Revision of the HELCOM monitoring programmes (). “The Workshop will support in a valuable way the further improvements in coordinated monitoring of the Baltic Sea, involving the entire region, a task which HELCOM has continued for decades.  The joint system is currently being revised, as mandated by the , to better assess the state of the marine environment and the possible impact of any measures taken for the Baltic Sea’s recovery,” says the new Professional Secretary of HELCOM, Ms. Ulla Li Zweifel. The two-day workshop (HELCOM MORE 8/2014) will also consider the current developments for a joint web based monitoring manual. The manual will provide a documentation and presentation of the regionally coordinated joint monitoring system, including strategic aspects, legal background, description of the full monitoring system and specific monitoring programmes, among others.  * * *Note for editors: – The Monitoring and Assessment Group looks after one of HELCOM’s key tasks by assessing trends in threats to the marine environment, their impacts, the resulting state of the marine environment, and the effectiveness of adopted measures. This work forms the basis for the work of HELCOM’s other main groups, and helps to define the need for additional measures. * * *The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has governed the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further information, please contact:Manuel Frias Project CoordinatorHELCOM MORETel: +358 46 850 9209 Skype: helcom23 E-mail: Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail:

The work for a revised, scientifically sound and cost-effective HELCOM monitoring programme moves forward.

Enhanced regional cooperation on alternative fuels for ships have been a key matter in the Meeting of HELCOM closing today, which has followed up various commitments of the HELCOM Copenhagen in October 2013. Other agenda items include safety of navigation; ballast water; sewage discharges and port reception facilities and the detection, investigation and prosecution of offenders of anti-pollution regulations he creation of a joint “Green Technology and Alternative Fuels Platform for Shipping” was agreed upon last month at the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting, attended by all the Baltic coastal states and the EU as HELCOM Contracting Parties. The idea behind the platform is to gather national administrations, industry, research community and NGOs involved in green technologies and alternative fuels. The platform is currently emerging and a joint event for 16 January 2014 is currently organised by HELCOM, the Finnish presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), Baltic Development Forum (BDF) and the Northern Dimension Partnership for Transport and Logistics (NDPTL). The platform is also related to the activities around the “St. Petersburg initiative”, an international network to unite governmental, business and financing organizations for Baltic Sea cooperation established at the St. Petersburg summit April 2013  revised HELCOM compilation of statistics on cruise ship visits and sewage port reception facilities in Baltic Sea ports was also discussed at the meeting. The latest meeting of the HELCOM Cooperation Platform on Port Reception Facilities in the Baltic Sea, organised on 25 November 2013, provided updates for this overview to be published in early 2014. The Platform works to support the HELCOM countries in their work to upgrade the facilities so they are in position to report to IMO that adequate port reception facilities are available for the MARPOL Annex IV Special Area regulations to take effect. he Meeting attracted 47 registered participants and it was chaired by Ms. Lolan Eriksson (Finland), the Chair of the HELCOM Maritime Group. * * *Note for editors:Maritime transportation in the Baltic Sea region has steadily increased during the past decade. On the average, 2,000 ships are at sea every day. By 2017, maritime transport of goods in the region has been estimated to double. The Maritime Group of the Helsinki Commission () identifies and promotes actions to limit sea-based pollution and ways for safer navigation. It also works to ensure enforcement and harmonized implementation of international shipping regulations.  – Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further information:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 8509199 Skype: helcom02 E-mail: hermanni.backer@helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila@helcom.fi

Enhanced regional cooperation on alternative fuels for ships have been a key matter in the MARITIME Meeting closing today.

Final straight starts in exchanging best practices on environmental monitoring between the Baltic and the Black Seas, in the fourth and final project workshop which continues today in Istanbul, Turkey.  The EU funded project , or, “Environmental monitoring of the Black Sea with focus on nutrient pollution”, has for three years maintained close contact between expert networks in these regions, for sharing knowledge and developing new assessment methods for systematic monitoring of the largely similar marine environments. Baltic Sea Marine Environment Protection Commission () and the have been the key organizing forces. The two-day workshop introduces the recent developments in the monitoring and assessment of effects of nutrient enrichment, which is currently on-going in the Baltic Sea as mandated in the 2013 Copenhagen Ministerial Declaration last month. This time the HELCOM experts will present to the Black Sea colleagues the work done to improve the joint coordinated monitoring and assessment system for the Baltic Sea. This entails, for instance, presenting the new HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment Strategy and new projects in the Baltic Sea area,such as  the recently started BALSAM project (Testing new concepts for integrated environmental monitoring of the Baltic Sea) and the upcoming EUTRO-OPER project (Making the eutrophication assessments operational).  A central contribution from HELCOM experts to the Black Sea experts have been the details of the nutrient reduction scheme, just upgraded and newly adopted by the HELCOM Ministers in October 2013, including the calculations of maximum allowable inputs of nutrients and the country-wise reduction targets. Other key items of exchange include harmonized monitoring of marine eutrophication e.g. via remote sensing techniques and other new valuable methods; and the benefits and development needs of a new eutrophication assessment tool “BEAST” in the Black Sea context. The regions have cooperated closely on BEAST, which is based on HELCOM assessment tool HEAT and expected to be useful in providing harmonized assessments of the eutrophication status in the entire Black Sea.  Furthermore, while binding together lessons learnt during the project, the aim is to discuss and draft plans regarding potential future cooperation between these two marginal semi-enclosed brackish sea regions sharing similar environmental challenges. Eutrophication – the main focus in the project Baltic2Black – is recognised as a major threat to the ecosystems of both seas, and it is directly linked to the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Assessing the ecosystem status of the seas in a holistic manner, taking into account all human pressures and their cumulative impacts on the marine ecosystems, could hence be considered one of the priorities in the future cooperation.      * * *Note for editors:The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of all the nine Baltic Sea countries and the EU which works to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation.HELCOM is the governing body of the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area,” known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further information, please contact:Miia MannerlaProject Researcher, Baltic2BlackHELCOM Tel: +358 40 045 9349 E-mail: miia.mannerla@helcom.fiSkype: helcom81 Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 E-mail: johanna.laurila@helcom.fi Skype: helcom70

Final straight starts in exchanging best practices on environmental monitoring between the Baltic and the Black Seas.

​An up to date compilation of relevant information on port reception facilities (PRF) and applicable fees from all main passenger ports in the region has been updated and further developed in a HELCOM expert workshop in Szczecin, Poland today. This is the result from efforts by the HELCOM Secretariat in cooperation with Baltic Ports Organisation (BPO) since the summer of 2013. Adequate management of sewage from passenger ships will reduce harmful nutrients polluting the Baltic Sea. Compiling real-time information on the current status is an important step in the work to upgrade sewage reception in Baltic ports. The preparations are needed so that the 2011 decision by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) concerning the Baltic Sea as a sewage “special area” for passenger ships according to the MARPOL convention can take effect. Furthermore, it will help to follow through the 2013 HELCOM Interim Guidance on sewage delivery to port reception facilities, adopted in the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting last month by all the Contracting Parties including the nine Baltic coastal states and EU. HELCOM countries have agreed to report to IMO, by 2014 (IMO MEPC 67), that adequate facilities are available. The IMO decision to designate the Baltic Sea as an Annex IV “special area” in 2011 was based on the proposal by HELCOM countries submitted in 2010. Moreover, in anticipation of the IMO decision, Baltic Sea Cooperation platform on sewage PRFs had been set up after HELCOM Moscow Ministerial Meeting in 2010. The platform has involved the shipping industry, technology providers, ports and national authorities for discussions on outstanding issues around the improvement of sewage PRFs in the region. The coastal countries shall report to IMO once the sewage reception facilities in the Baltic Sea ports fulfill the criteria of adequacy, before the “special area” regulations will take effect on 1.1.2016, at the earliest.  Note for editors:The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. HELCOM has worked since 1974 to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region.  HELCOM is the governing body of the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area,” more usually known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further information, please contact:Mr. Hermanni BackerProfessional SecretaryHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199Skype: helcom02E-mail:  

HELCOM facilitates the IMO process to reduce sewage emissions from passenger ships in the Baltic Sea