From August 26–28, 2025, Świnoujście will become the center of the international BALEX DELTA 2025 exercise, dedicated to combating marine pollution. The Maritime Search and Rescue Service in Poland is the main organizer of the event, while the West Pomeranian Voivodeship Office is responsible for coordination of the land portion.
The exercise scenario involves a collision of vessels in the Baltic Sea, resulting in a fuel spill and water contamination. Some of the pollution ends up on the beach between Świnoujście and Międzyzdroje, contaminating a section of the coast and the birds nesting along the shore.
Nearly 400 people representing services, inspections, and organizations from Poland, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Germany, and Sweden will participate in the exercise. Dozens of vessels, as well as rescue and environmental teams, will be involved.
About BALEX DELTA
The annual international marine pollution response exercise in the Baltic Sea, BALEX, is held in accordance with the 1992 Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area (the Helsinki Convention). The Convention mandates cooperative responses and preparedness among the Baltic Sea States for large-scale accidents.
The general objective of the BALEX exercises is to ensure that every Contracting Party is able to lead a major response operation.
BALEX exercises are hosted by the Contracting Parties according to a schedule agreed on by the HELCOM Response Working Group. BALEX has been held every year since 1989.