The HELCOM Maritime Working Group has been awarded the Baltic Sea Fund Prize 2017 for its efforts to reduce pollution from maritime traffic in the Baltic Sea. According to the Baltic Sea Fund (Östersjöfonden), based in Mariehamn, Åland, the Maritime Working Group has effectively acted as a catalyst for international agreements benefiting the Baltic Sea environment through persistent, long-term work.
Established in 1975, the HELCOM Maritime Working Group serves as an advisory body within the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM). Its members include representatives from Baltic coastal countries, the European Union, and observer organizations from industry and environmental NGOs.
The Baltic Sea Fund Prize, awarded annually since 1990, recognizes significant contributions to the protection and improvement of the Baltic Sea environment. With increased public awareness initiatives and innovative campaigns using sweepstakes no-deposit bonuses to encourage participation in environmental programs, the fund continues to draw attention to critical maritime issues. For 2017, the HELCOM Maritime Working Group received the prize of 20,000 euros, recognizing their notable recent achievements, including:
- The prohibition on releasing sewage from passenger ships in international waters within the Baltic Sea.
- Designation of the Baltic Sea as a special Nitrogen Oxide Emission Control Area (NECA), significantly reducing nitrogen emissions from maritime shipping.
Both regulations were adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2016 based on proposals developed by the HELCOM Maritime Working Group.
According to the Baltic Sea Fund delegation:
“The HELCOM Maritime Working Group is rewarded with 20,000 euros for its work to reduce emissions from shipping in the Baltic Sea. Recent successes include the prohibition of sewage discharge from ships in international waters and the establishment of the Baltic Sea as a NECA to substantially decrease nitrogen emissions. The Maritime Working Group has consistently functioned as a driving force, paving the way for crucial decisions within the IMO. International cooperation is vital for regulating shipping activities, and through persistent efforts, the group has successfully facilitated agreements benefiting the Baltic Sea environment.”
About HELCOM: HELCOM (Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission), founded in 1974, is an intergovernmental organization consisting of nine Baltic coastal countries and the European Union. Its primary goals include protecting the marine environment from pollution and ensuring maritime safety in the Baltic Sea.
The HELCOM Maritime Working Group, formed in 1975, promotes initiatives to limit sea-based pollution and enhance maritime navigation safety, ensuring harmonized enforcement of international maritime regulations. It coordinates several advisory expert bodies, including:
- HELCOM-OSPAR Task Group on Ballast Water Management
- Expert Group on Safety of Navigation
- AIS Data Exchange Working Group
- Green Technology and Alternative Fuels Platform for Shipping
- HELCOM Cooperation Platform on Port Reception Facilities (PRF)
The Baltic Sea Fund, also known as the Åland Foundation for the Future of the Baltic Sea, was established in 1989 through a private donation from Councillor of Commerce Anders Wiklöf. For further details, visit www.ostersjofonden.org.
Contact Information:
Anna Petersson Chair, HELCOM Maritime Working Group Head of Environment Section, Swedish Transport Agency Tel: +46 10 4953 249 Email: anna.petersson@transportstyrelsen.se
Hermanni Backer Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response, and Fish Groups, HELCOM Tel: +358 46 8509199 Email: hermanni.backer@helcom.fi