Tag: Response to spills

​​Dear Colleagues,The milestone of the year 2015 was the adoption of the Regional Action Programme for Marine Litter in June. Concrete work for the plan started in May 2014, following the Ministerial commitment in 2013 binding all the Baltic coastal governments and EU. The drafting process, led by Germany, benefited from the expertise of non-governmental organizations, research institutions, industry, administration and authorities. Thanks to the wide consultations the plan is very comprehensive and includes an excellent set of actions to combat marine litter. Now the challenge is to find leaders and implementers for each action so that fine ideas are followed by concrete work and results. I am glad that we could take this forward in the HELCOM Marine Litter Stakeholder Conference held on Wednesday.In October the modernized database of Baltic Sea Marine Protected Areas (HELCOM MPAs) was released. The database provides easy and user-friendly access – for anybody interested – to detailed and new information on coastal and marine HELCOM MPAs such as on human pressures, threat categories and monitoring of species, biotopes and biotope complexes as well as about national protection status. I can proudly say that the HELCOM MPA database stands out among other similar databases on regional and global levels, particularly because of its vast coverage and because the information is contains is current.  The comparable data sets and assessments of pollution loads cover both the nine HELCOM countries and also more distant transboundary sources; they are unique from a worldwide perspective. Without this data it would be impossible to assess major pressures from human activities. Last year a new approach was introduced and agreed to the future Pollution Load Compilation (PLC) assessments. This will ensure more clearly distinguished products, smooth and operationalized regular updating of the products, and better sharing of responsibilities of different actors for timely delivery.One of these new products prepared and released in December was the assessment of progress towards reaching Country-allocated Reduction Targets. This was a major scientific achievement considering the complexity of the issue and high political interest, and we thank all the dedicated scientists and experts for the product. At the same time, it has become evident that there is a new need for a more concise product for policy-makers. Implementing this approach in PLC remains a main task – for all of us – also for this year, but it can only happen with the active involvement of more Contracting Parties. I am especially proud what we have managed to achieve within the project on making HELCOM eutrophication assessments operational (EUTRO-OPER). This project resulted in a tool for the integration of indicators, an assessment protocol, and a solution to increase the comparability of assessment of open sea and coastal waters. But importantly, work and data flows have been automated, including in-built step-wise approval procedure by national experts of the assessment product, providing a solid system for easy updates of the eutrophication assessment in the future. This was accomplished in partnership with ICES. The ambition is to follow this approach also for other themes as far as possible, within the work on the Second Holistic Assessment of the Ecosystem Health of the Baltic Sea (HOLASII).  The preparation of HOLAS II was at full speed last year and will continue to be the major umbrella activity of HELCOM in the near future. The aim is not only to produce a single assessment publication, but to create a longer-lasting and web-based system to serve future updates, and to enable better use nationally and increased outreach. This means improved documentation, semi-automation and use of the HELCOM working structure to maintain the system as opposed to project-maintained assessment.All necessary ingredients for making HOLAS II a success are in place – it has been planned in detail and is well coordinated, Contracting Parties are committed and their best experts are engaged, and for the first time ever I can state that I feel comfortable in terms of available resources for the exercise (albeit not all needs can be secured yet). EU grants for two actions we call BalticBOOST and HELCOM TAPAS projects have significantly helped in this respect and are very much appreciated.This carefully planned assessment will also be truly holistic, as it will include integrated assessment of themes on eutrophication, hazardous substances and biodiversity, and results of separate HELCOM Maritime Assessment will be used as well. Commercial fish species, as they are part of the marine ecosystem, will also be assessed, along with cumulative pressures and impacts from major human activities, based on the improved data and information. Marine litter and underwater noise, not assessed previously, will be new elements. For the first time, a social and economic analysis will also be truly incorporated into the HELCOM assessment by linking human activities to pressures and impacts on ecosystem components within one holistic framework. The work on social and economic analysis that started last year may prove itself to be one of the milestones or a break-through for future HELCOM work. Such aspect has been largely lacking in HELCOM work so far, which has prevented full use of HELCOM results in many spheres and sectors. We have now fair chances to rectify this obvious shortcoming. So we stand firm in terms of preparing HOLAS II in HELCOM. But there are other circumstances and processes that influence our work and need to be catered for. On the European level a parallel process takes place to make assessments. It makes no sense to duplicate the work, and the HELCOM countries that are also EU members have already agreed to use HOLAS II as the basis of the national assessments under the EUMSFD.>While I am absolutely convinced it will be possible to cater also for this need, I find it of paramount importance that both immediate national management needs and longer-term HELCOM policy needs are met, and that:the HELCOM assessment system improves and is based on the best available sciencethat we are able to compare the outcome to the previous assessment that we show how far from reaching the Good Environmental Status (GES) we are – as likely most of the areas in the Baltic Sea will be still short of the target – and that we also show progress and improvement.We will not be in a position to maintain political attention unless we start demonstrating the effects our decisions and actions are bringing.Last but not least, two issues that have been or are about to be concluded during this Meeting are important accomplishments as well: a new HELCOM Recommendation on sustainable aquaculture, efficiently led by the Fish group, established not so long ago but already working at full speed, and a decision to submit the proposal by HELCOM countries to designate the Baltic Sea as a NECA IMO MEPC 70, in parallel with the North Sea NECA submission. This has been a splendid meeting of the Helsinki Commission, thank you Contracting Parties, Observers and colleagues in the Secretariat.  

The Statement of Executive Secretary on the work of HELCOM Secretariat including her comments and evaluation of the work of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies.

​​​ Crew of Kapitan Poinc from Gdynia, Poland deploying the oil boom of 600 meters.Twenty ships under the HELCOM flag conducted today a successful operation to contain and recover two simulated oil spills from vessels collided off the Polish coast in the Pomeranian Bay, as part of the annual Baltic Sea pollution response exercise Balex Delta 2015. A large-scale national onshore exercise was organized simultaneously for deployment of the clean-up units as well as coordination between all the actors involved.   For over 25 years HELCOM has sustained the international operational preparedness in maritime emergencies and polluting accidents at sea, in one of the most vulnerable and busiest sea areas in the world.  The largest maritime emergency and counter-pollution drill of its kind in the Baltic Sea area – and one of the largest worldwide – involve the release of simulated oil; the mobilization of pollution response vessels from several coastal countries; as well as the establishment of a unified command structure and communication system. In addition, a full-scale oil recovery operation at the site of the accident was set up, including actual deployment of oil containment booms and skimming equipment along with the onshore response of more than a hundred trained staff and 40 fire engines, and other necessary equipment. Eight HELCOM Member States – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden – took part in the exercise with both pollution-combating ships and smaller vessels with over 400 participants in total. Almost 50 observers from all the nine HELCOM countries as well as Brazil, Canada, Portugal and USA monitored the actions of the response units. The Exercise Evaluation Team consisted of representatives of Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. “The fact that the HELCOM member states send their vessels each and every year for an international oil drill is globally rather special, as such a well-established framework is rare in other parts of the world. The Baltic Sea country crews have established a smooth cooperation over the years, and this was again a good opportunity to see what we’re ready for and what needs further improvement,” says Heli Haapasaari, Chairman of HELCOM’s Response Group.  “With such a large coinciding national drill on the shore, the exercise gave the host nation a bigger-than-usual opportunity to test its own capacity to command an international operation with a large response fleet, in addition to the action at shore with more complex communication and coordination tasks.”  The aim of Balex Delta is to test the alarm procedures and the response capability of HELCOM members as well as national alarm procedures, including the capacity of each country to command a large international drill, and also evaluate staff functions and the cooperation between the countries’ combating units. This year the goals extended to the shore, for trying in practice the national onshore clean-up capabilities and the national wildlife response alert procedures. In addition, the 2015 drill had a main focus on communication between the involved units as well as the interaction between offshore response and clean-up units on the shore. This year’s HELCOM annual exercise was organized by the Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service, Gdynia (Maritime part), and the West Pomeranian Regional Headquarters of the State Fire Service (Onshore part). The exercise involved a scenario where a middle size tanker collides with a smaller container vessel, resulting in oil slicks of 500 m3 and 150 m3 of heavy fuel oil from the drifting ships. Units from the HELCOM countries were tasked to jointly prevent the oil slicks from coming ashore to the nearby National Park and Natura 2000 areas. Having two sources of pollution on different locations, the pool of response vessels were divided into two groups. The oil spilt during the exercise was simulated by two large releases of environmentally-friendly expanded perlite (15 and 5 cubic metres). Expanded perlite is volcanic amorphous glass, fully non-toxic and similar than beach sand. BackgroundBALEX DELTA operational response exercises have been held annually since 1989. Throughout this time HELCOM has steadily improved the readiness of the countries around the Baltic to jointly respond to oil spills at sea. Regional cooperation on preparedness and response to pollution incidents has however much longer roots, being a part of the first 1974 Helsinki Convention and followed by a series of related Recommendations right at the start of the permanent HELCOM activities in early 1980s.   Today, with 80 per cent of global merchandise trade by volume carried by sea and handled by ports worldwide, the economic importance of maritime transport – and the risk of collisions and other accidents – cannot be overemphasized. In the Baltic Sea, ship traffic is dense and maritime transport has been in the increase in the recent past.[1] UNCTAD, Review of Maritime Transport 2013. ​ * * * Note to Editors:The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as the Helsinki Commission, or HELCOM, is an intergovernmental organisation 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. 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 more information, please contact:Heli HaapasaariChair of HELCOM Response Working GroupFinnish Environment Institute – SYKETel: +358 40 1793050E-mail: heli.haapasaari(at)environment.fiJohanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fiHermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime and ResponseHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199​E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi

Twenty ships from eight HELCOM Member States participated in the large oil response drill off Polish coast. Large-scale national onshore exercise was organized simultaneously with over one hundred staff.

​​​​What                    HELCOM Balex Delta 2015. A designated boat will be ready for registered media to observe the international drill from close distance, followed by a press conference.When                   Wednesday, 9 September 2015: Exercise briefing at 18:00–18:30.Thursday, 10 September 2015: Exercise time: 09:00–14:00 & Press conference at 16:00Who                     Around 20 specially equipped response vessels from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden;Around 100 participants of the national shoreline response exercise;Coordination: Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service, Gdynia (Maritime Part), West Pomeranian Regional Headquarters of the State Fire Service (Shoreline Part). Where                 Pomeranian Bay (Swinoujscie), Poland.Press conference and exercise briefing: Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service naval base, Wybrzeże Władysława IV 1 Str, Swinoujscie. WhyThe exercise simulates a large real life oil catastrophe in one of the most vulnerable – and busiest – sea areas in the world. The goal is to recover as much oil as possible in the open sea before it would reach the shores of the islands or mainland, since this is roughly ten times more cost-efficient than shoreline clean-up.The annual HELCOM Balex Delta is hosted this year by the Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service. For the list of vessels and equipment participating in the exercise please see the​.The national shoreline response part of Balex Delta 2015 will be organized and conducted by the Polish State Fire Service, with the help of Search and Rescue (SAR) Service and Maritime Office in Szczecin. The shoreline exercise will be conducted parallel to the maritime part on 10 September. The exercise area is planned on the beach east to the LNG Terminal in Swinoujście (at the Wolin Island). The State Fire Service plans to use c.a. 40 fire engines together with the equipment. The SAR Service will send the crew of the Costal Rescue Station in Dziwnow (one heavy rescue truck, one rescue boat (RIB type), 150m of oil boom and a portable Ro-mop oil skimmer. Programme (local time CEST = UTC +2hrs)8.00 Media cruise departure. Name of the ship: Pasat or Magda (tbc). Point of departure: Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service naval base, WybrzeżeWładysława IV 1 Str, SwinoujscieThe exercise scenario and roles of responsible parties explained briefly by the representatives of national partners Balex Delta exercise: all oil response equipment such as booms and skimmers in use, by all the oil response and other ships and assisted by a Maritime Office aircraft9:00 – 14:00: Shoreline clean-up demonstration, location: shore on the Wolin Island Part of Swinoujscie East of the LNG Terminal 53.916615 N 14.307325 E14:00 Approximate time of return to the SAR naval base16:00 Press conference at Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service base, Swinoujscie Media representatives are asked to apply for accreditation by 3 September 2015, by providing contact information (name, media, e-mail, phone number) to:bd2015@sar.gov.pl* * *Background information:>The annual BALEX DELTA exercises>>test the alarm procedures and response capability of the HELCOM Contracting States (all nine Baltic Sea coastal states) in case of a major accident and an international response operation. have the general objective to ensure that every Contracting State is able to lead a major response operation. are hosted by the Contracting States according to an agreed schedule.are most famous of the regular, operational HELCOM pollution response exercisesare the largest pollution response exercise in the Baltic Sea and one of the largest worldwide * * *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.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, from 1974. * * *For further information, please contact:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi Marek ReszkoChief coordinator of the BD2015 ExercisePolish Maritime Search and Rescue ServiceTel: +48 505050961E-mail: marek.​reszko(at)sar.gov.pl

Balex Delta 2015 on 9 September in Swinoujscie, Poland, media is invited to register by 3 September.

​​​The total number of surveillance flight hours in the Baltic Sea dropped again in 2014 according to the annual HELCOM on aerial surveillance. Compared to the average total number of flight hours in 2000–2013, the decrease is 20%. There is a risk that the declined amount of time in the air of surveillance planes impairs the reliability of information on detected spills from ships in the Baltic, compiled by HELCOM since 1988. The number of mineral oil spills in 2014 was the lowest ever recorded in the Baltic Sea at 117 spills, indicating a continuous decreasing trend in oil spills. The focus of the recent report is on detected illegal spills of mineral oil, as HELCOM helps to monitor any violations on the existing regulations on prevention of pollution from ships. However, for the first time in 2014, the HELCOM Member States also reported spills of other detected substances as included in the report. Oil but also many other substances released from ships are a potential threat to the marine environment he size of the spills has also decreased in the past 15 years. In 2014, out of all the 117 mineral oil discharges detected in 2014, 109 (93 %) were smaller than 1 m3, and of these oil spills as many as 94 were even smaller than 0.1 m3 (100 litres). ­See chart below. n a vast majority of cases of detected discharges, in 2014 and in previous years, polluters remain unknown. ELCOM has collected comprehensive information since 1988 from all the Baltic coastal countries on aerial surveillance to detect spills of oil and other harmful substances Further information on the detections can be found in the fresh report, for instance, about the location, type, size, annual changes in the Pollution per Flight Hour (PF) Index as well as satellite detections. All data on the individual observed spills can be viewed and downloaded in the HELCOM .  .* * * Note for editorsCo-operation on was established in the 1980s within the HELCOM framework, requiring the Member States to conduct regular surveillance outside their coastlines. This includes developing and applying, individually or in co-operation, surveillance activities covering the Baltic Sea area. The aerial surveillance is complemented by satellite surveillance to enable bigger area coverage and optimisation of flights effectiveness.    The purpose of aerial surveillance is to detect spills of oil and other harmful substances which can threaten the marine environment. If possible, the identity of a polluter should be established and a spill sampled from both the sea surface and the suspected offender on board. Data on illegal discharges observed during national aerial surveillance activities of the coastal states in the Baltic Sea area are compiled by HELCOM every year. * * *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 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 more information, please contact:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199Skype: helcom02E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi​

The total number of surveillance flight hours dropped again in 2014. This may cause less realistic evaluations on the number of harmful spills, and detected polluters, in the Baltic Sea.

​​​​​​​Aircraft from six countries from Baltic Sea (HELCOM) and North Sea (Bonn) areas carried out a joint international aerial surveillance operation, classified until finish, with the purpose of detecting illegal discharges at sea starting on 9 June and completing yesterday. Photo: HELCOMThe operation hosted by the Danish Defence Command resulted with only one observation of a minor discharge of vegetable oil and another spot of an unknown substance detected in the 62,000 sq km operation area over Skagerrak and Kattegat during 42 total flight hours.  The 2015 Super CEPCO – Coordinated Extended Pollution Control Operation – was participated by Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Norway and Sweden. Such coordinated assignment is a regular biannual effort of the HELCOM member states, this time conducted jointly with the Bonn Agreement and with the Danish Defence Command Air Station Aalborg (EKYT) as a base. The purpose of the operation is to continuously survey the selected area where there is a high probability of illegal discharges, to identify, record, document and report the detected pollutions and polluters and to improve co-operation between participating HELCOM and Bonn​ Agreement Contracting Parties. High-intensity operations like CEPCO supplement the regular day-to-day aerial control operations in the region which aim at creating a realistic picture of the level of compliance to the anti-pollution regulations in the Baltic area.  Since the timing of the HELCOM CEPCOs is randomly selected, the operation is intense and strictly confidential until the entire operation is over, the results are assumed to reflect the realistic situation of discharges in the Baltic Sea. CEPCO operations have several objectives, such as to survey continuously high density traffic areas with a high risk of illegal discharges; identify and catch the polluters; practise communication between aircraft, patrol vessels and the Command Centres involved; improve cooperation between countries; and exchange experiences between crews. Crew members and support of Super Cepco 2015. Photo: Henning Jespersen-Skree * * *Note to Editors:HELCOM member states carry out several cross-border surveillance operations annually.  CEPCO flights (Mini CEPCO at least 12 hours; CEPCO at least 24 hours; Super CEPCO several days) contribute to the Baltic Sea marine protection according to HELCOM’s principles. The operation supports national aerial surveillance by detecting polluters who might not be otherwise identified. The intensity of CEPCOs enable a realistic estimation of the total number of oil spills over the Baltic Sea during a randomly selected time. In addition, helicopters and patrol vessels support the operation and EMSA CleanSeaNet oil spill detection service enable bigger area coverage and optimisation of flights effectiveness. The Informal working group on aerial surveillance ( ), as part of the HELCOM response cooperation is responsible for joint aerial surveillance as well as for co-ordination of the satellite based oil spill surveillance and evaluation of its results and operational effectiveness. * * *The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as the Helsinki 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. HELCOM is 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. The is the mechanism by which nine governments of the Greater North Sea and its wider approaches, together with EU, cooperate in dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil and other harmful substances. The signatories to the Agreement are Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom and the EU.  * * *For more information, please contact:Bent JørgensenRoyal Danish AirforceTel: +45 72 846507E-mail: atw-a5-017@mil.dk Lars ChristensenAdmiral Danish Fleet HQE-mail: pol.con.den@sok.dk Laura MeskiAssisting Professional SecretaryHELCOMTel:  +358 40 1622053E-mail: laura.meski@helcom.fi

Only minor spill detected in the 42-hour aerial non-stop operation, participated by aircraft from six countries from Baltic Sea (HELCOM) and North Sea (BONN) areas.

​​​​​National marine pollution response authorities from the Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union wrapped up yesterday the annual of the HELCOM on preparedness and response (HELCOM Response).The Meeting was hosted by EU Directorate General ECHO in Brussels, Belgium, and chaired by Ms. Heli Haapasaari, Finland, Chair of HELCOM Response.”It is important that the Response group reviews the performance requirements based on the changing maritime traffic amount and ship sizes. It is also delightful to hear that many Contracting Parties are in the process to acquire new vessels and other response equipment to enhance the regional response capacity”, says the Chair of Response, Heli Haapasaari.HELCOM is actively promoting that its Member States establish bi- or multilateral agreements with their neighbours in order to provide stronger cooperation between the neighbouring countries. At the moment​, nine such local response agreements have been signed and ratified in the Baltic Sea area.The meeting divided the Baltic Sea into sub-regions for the purposes of response to pollution incidents. Such sub-divisions of the Baltic Sea will be used when defining marine pollution risks and for developing corresponding joint response capacity in areas with high risks of spills. The draft map of four Baltic response sub-regions will be further defined by the end of June and be the basis for definitions of minimum sub-regional response capacity during the coming year.The current Baltic set-up, based on HELCOM Recommendation (), builds on recommendations of a minimum national response capacity in each Baltic Sea coastal state taken alone. Currently the capacity is considered adequate if the capacity of responding to spills of 1,000-5,000 tons is in place within three days from the accident (Rec. ).The need to raise these target spill sizes has emerged with the increase in size of ships.Other topics on the agenda included exchange of Marine Pollution Report (POLREP) messages; revision of all three HELCOM Response manuals; drafting of response related indicators and well as follow up of Ministerial Meeting decisions. All the documents will be public after the Meeting.* * * 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 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. works to ensure swift national and international response to maritime pollution incidents and that in case of an accident the right equipment is available and routines are in place to respond immediately in cooperation with neighbouring states. The 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 meetings of the HELCOM Response​ Group have been held regularly among all Baltic Sea countries and EU for over thirty years.The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO), formerly known as the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office, is the ‘s department for overseas and for . * * * For more information, please contact:Heli Haapasaari Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) Chair of HELCOM Response Group Tel: +358 40 1793050 E-mail: heli.haapasaari(at)environment.fiHermanni Backer Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Planning HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 8509199 E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi

Sub-divisions of the Baltic Sea will be used when defining marine pollution risks and for developing corresponding joint response capacity in high-risk areas for spills.

​Better reporting on harmful discharges other than oil from ships to the Baltic Sea is discussed by the HELCOM on aerial surveillance, continuing its 2-day annual meeting in Sopot, Poland. The main focus of the Baltic aerial surveillance cooperation has traditionally been on detection of illegal discharges of mineral oil, while more systematic reporting on other harmful substances observed from air would also be needed. Photo: Netherlands Coast GuardThe group also continues to develop the pressure indicator of oil spills affecting the marine environment. This is a part of the larger HELCOM process of holistically assessing the Baltic Sea, not succeeding without solid information not just about the status but also about pressures towards the environment and the human activities behind it. The oil spill indicator, one of the many expecting finalization in June 2015, will be based on the data on illegal oil spills collected since the 1980’s.   In addition, the meeting will plan for the next pollution control operations. For having a realistic estimate of the total number of oil spills discharged into the Baltic Sea during a randomly selected period, Coordinated Extended Pollution Control Operations (CEPCO) are organized at least twice a year within the HELCOM framework. These high-intensity operations vary in length and are from time to time organized jointly with the North Sea countries. The meeting will discuss for the next CEPCOs, for which the timing is kept strictly confidential until the operations are over.  Moreover, the group is in charge of compiling the annual report on aerial surveillance activities in the Baltic Sea in 2014, expecting soon its official release after the review of the expert group.  * * *Note for editors:The HELCOM Informal Working Group on Aerial Surveillance () works to implement the aerial surveillance cooperation, as agreed on by all the HELCOM parties.Cooperation on Baltic aerial surveillance was established within the HELCOM framework in the 1980s, requiring the Member States to conduct regular surveillance outside their coastlines. This includes developing and applying, individually or in cooperation, surveillance activities covering the Baltic Sea area.The purpose of aerial surveillance is to detect spills of oil and other harmful substances which can threaten the marine environment. If possible, the identity of a polluter should be established and a spill sampled from both the sea surface and the suspected offender on board.Data on illegal discharges observed during national aerial surveillance activities of the coastal states in the Baltic Sea area are compiled by HELCOM every year. * * *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 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 more information, please contact:Laura Meski Assistant Professional Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 162 2053 Skype: helcom82 E-mail: laura.meski(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Reporting on harmful discharges other than oil from ships to the Baltic Sea is a key topic in the expert group meeting.

The cooperation between HELCOM and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) is expected to smoothen.  For the first time, a dedicated session with the representatives from relevant EUSBSR Priority Areas and Horizontal Actions was successfully organized as a part of this week’s of HELCOM Heads of Delegation representing all the Baltic coastal countries as well as the EU. The full meeting is now available online, listing all the issues addressed and decided on in the meeting for the benefit of the Baltic marine environment.Improving cooperation in practice was the key topic of HELCOM session with representatives from the EU Strategy for the Baltic sea Region. Photo: Dodik Putro.Concrete proposals on why and how to improve the synergies between HELCOM and EUSBSR have been listed in the meeting outcome. The shared goal would be to better communicate the policy directions and needs by HELCOM, which then can be met with and supported by the EUSBSR work and projects. The meeting recommended practical ways for better use of the expertise of HELCOM groups. Using the existing forums, co-chairing, back-to-back meetings, opportunity for involving Russian experts, and helping HELCOM countries in tapping into EU funding were also mentioned as practical solutions for more effective regional cooperation. The timing for the joint HELCOM-EUSBSR meeting was particularly adept, as the HELCOM streamlining process has been completed few months ago while the Action Plan of the EUSBSR is currently under revision, expecting launch at the Strategy’s Annual Forum in mid-June 2015. As per other results of the Heads of Delegation meeting, HELCOM “sub-hot spot” No. 18.1 “Construction of new sewer connections” was deleted, concerning the waste water treatment system of St. Petersburg. A large-scale environmental project for the construction of the northern tunnel collector of the city of five million inhabitants was finalized in October 2013, preventing the discharge of untreated waste water into the Neva River by approximately 122 million m3 per year. Since then, 98.4% of waste water has been estimated as adequately treated in St. Petersburg. HELCOM originally included 162 of the region’s significant sources of pollution, out of which over two thirds have since been mitigated.   Adequate reception for passenger ships was also negotiated by the Meeting, being part of the larger process of complying with the Baltic’s status as a sewage special area as decided by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 2011. The consultations for a joint notification on the adequacy of ports’ reception facilities will continue via correspondence early next year. The meeting was held on 9-10 December 2014 and it was chaired by the current Estonian Chair of HELCOM, Mr. Harry Liiv. ..  * * * Note for editorsThe European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region () is the first macro-regional strategy in Europe. It aims at reinforcing cooperation within this large region in order to face several challenges by working together as well as promoting a more balanced development in the area. The Strategy also contributes to major EU policies and reinforces the integration within the area. The (HOD) of HELCOM usually meet few times a year. While the Annual Meeting of HELCOM remains the Commission’s highest decision-making body, the Heads of Delegation have a relatively high authority over most major issues.  The working structure of HELCOM, supported and administered by the Secretariat, comprises of the Helsinki Commission, the Heads of Delegation, and eight main working groups, together with tens of expert groups, correspondence groups and projects. 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 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 more information, please contact:Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi​

For the first time, a dedicated session with the representatives from relevant EUSBSR areas was organized as a part of this week’s meeting of HELCOM Heads of Delegation.

​Major revisions of the internationally agreed procedures for marine pollution response in the Baltic Sea region, the HELCOM Response Manual, will be considered at the HELCOM Response Working   in Tallinn, beginning today.  The 3-day Meeting collects ministries and authorities with operational responsibilities on marine pollution preparedness and response in the coastal countries of the Baltic Sea and the EU. It will be chaired by Bernt Stedt, Swedish Coastguard. Changes considered to the
Response Manual this weekinclude a complete overhaul of
the sections on hazardous substances response. Photo: Swedish Coast GuardThe original on marine pollution incidents was adopted in 1983, based on a series of HELCOM Recommendations dealing with international warning, reporting, communication and command systems for the Baltic Sea region developed since the 1970s. These agreed operational procedures and best practices for the Baltic Sea are followed, exercised and revised on a regular basis by the coastal countries and the EU.  Today the Manual consists of three parts: on general issues, such as national contact information, procedures for alarm and requests for international assistance, aerial surveillance and financial aspects of international operations; on spills involving hazardous substances; and on response the shore. Changes considered to the Response Manual this week include the first drafting for a complete overhaul of the sections on hazardous substances response. Response to accidents involving not oil, but one of the many other hazardous substances transported in the region, involve a complex range of measures and procedures. Technological advances, such as instrumentation and new “safe platform” vessel designs, have been rapid during recent years, but also global experience from response incidents has accumulated.  Other parts of the Manual which will be looked at more closely include the procedures in situations where pollution has reached the shore. The international cooperation regarding on-shore response in the Baltic Sea has received recent attention from HELCOM. Last year, the coastal countries and the EU adopted a series of related amendments to the Helsinki Convention, the legal international basis of the HELCOM cooperation, as well as a new section (Volume III) of the Manual targeting on-shore response. The Meeting of the HELCOM Response group will also consider revisions to the minimum requirements and best practices for the aerial surveillance in the Baltic Sea region carried out by the coastal countries. Other topics in the Meeting include national reports on recent response operations since the last meeting in January; a draft for a new HELCOM Recommendation on marine pollution incident reporting and requests for assistance; and the report of the HELCOM Balex Delta 2014 operational in Ventspils, Latvia.. All documents will be available after the meeting. * * *Note for editorsHELCOM has been in place since 1976 and works to ensure swift regional to maritime pollution incidents both oil products and other harmful substances. The Group also coordinates aerial surveillance of maritime shipping routes, response on the shore, sub-merged hazardous objects. Sub-groups include the Expert working group on response on the , Informal working group on surveillance, oiled wildlife response and Expert group on environmental risks of hazardous objects. 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 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 more information, please contact:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199Skype: helcom02E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Major revisions of the internationally agreed procedures for marine pollution response in the Baltic Sea region, the HELCOM Response Manual, will be considered at the Response meeting starting today.

​The current status of reception facilities for sewage, as well as their use, are among the region’s hot shipping topics considered at HELCOM meetings this fall. Key occasions include the annual HELCOM Maritime last week and the HELCOM Heads of Delegation meeting, to take place 9-10 December 2014. he national contacts and industry and civil society observers in the maritime field have commented an update of the HELCOM report on current availability and use of sewage reception facilities in the Baltic Sea area. The revised version of the report is currently developed further based on recent information from the cruise industry, ports and national administrations. The 2014 version of the report will be released during spring 2015 inal agreement is yet to be reached when a submission to the IMO meeting is to take place, on the Baltic port reception facilities of sewage. Photo: Metsähallitus NHS/Jan EkebomThe last week’s Maritime meeting in Riga, Latvia discussed the current status of the notification submission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the sewage port reception facilities. Such a notification is needed in order to enforce the status of the Baltic Sea as a special area in terms of sewage from passenger ships, as agreed at IMO in 2011 inal agreement is yet to be reached when a submission to the IMO meeting is to take place, as three countries still wish to clarify uncertainties regarding the quality of sewage, implications to small ferries or address the reception capacities in specific ports ccording to the Maritime meeting , discussions on the submission to the IMO will continue during the upcoming months within a dedicated correspondence group led by Sweden. Interim outcome of the correspondence will be considered by the HELCOM Heads of Delegation meeting in December ther important shipping issues discussed within HELCOM during the autumn and early winter include the coastal state preparations for implementing the new stricter limits to sulphur in bunker fuel to be applied in the Baltic Sea 1.1.2015, summarized in a recent interim ; revision of the list of HELCOM target species to be used in the agreed risk assessment related to exemptions from ballast water management according to the IMO ballast water management convention; strengthening regional cooperation on alternative fuels; updating HELCOM Recommendations on ship-to-ship and bunkering transfer operations; as well as regional guidance on under keel clearance he remaining maritime related HELCOM expert meetings for 2014 include (Ballast Water Management, 1–2 December 2014) and (Safety of Navigation, 3 December 2014 Copenhagen, Denmark) as well as the (Response to spills at sea and on the shore, 25–27 November 2014, Tallinn, Estonia), (sub-group on response to spills on the shore, 24 November 2014, Tallinn, Estonia)  * * Note for editorsThe 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. Sub-groups include HELCOM-OSPAR Task Group on Water Management, Expert group on safety of , Working group for mutual exchange and deliveries of Automatic Identification System () data, and HELCOM Cooperation Platform on Port Reception Facilities (). ELCOM Group works to ensure swift regional response to maritime pollution incidents both oil products and other harmful substances. The Group also coordinates aerial surveillance of maritime shipping routes, response on the shore, sub-merged hazardous objects. Sub-groups include Expert working group on response on the , Informal working group on , and Expert group on environmental risks of hazardous objects he Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , 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. 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 more information, please contact: Hermanni Backe Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Plannin HELCO Tel:  +358 46 850919 Skype: helcom0 E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.f ohanna Lauril Information Secretar HELCO Tel: +358 40 523 898 Skype: helcom7 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The current status of reception facilities for sewage, as well as their use, are among the region’s hot shipping topics considered at HELCOM meetings this fall.