Tag: Shipping

​ and (CLIA) have launched a joint information gathering on sewage delivery in the Baltic Sea Region in advance of the 2014 summer season. The survey aims to collect detailed data on sewage delivery needs and available facilities, based on each visit. The two main sources of such information are cruise ships and ports visited by such ships.  The survey is connected to the 2011 International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) designation of the Baltic Sea as a “special area” for passenger ships in terms of MARPOL Annex IV (on sewage from ships) based on a proposal from the region. Less untreated sewage released to the sea would help reduce harmful nutrients polluting the Baltic Sea environment. In the new survey the participating cruise ships are invited to fill in their experiences with port reception facilities (PRF), as well as their own sewage delivery needs, when visiting ports in the Baltic Sea region. Ports are encouraged to provide their observations on the use of their sewage PRFs to supplement the information provided by the cruise industry. According to the IMO decision on sewage from passenger ships, the coastal countries of the Baltic Sea, convening within HELCOM, shall report to IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 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. In order to assist the process, HELCOM has compiled information on the current status of sewage PRFs and the level of cruise traffic, as well as facilitated dialogue in the region between the different actors involved since 2010. Based on information received from ports and national administrations during last year, HELCOM developed the publication “2013 HELCOM overview of port reception facilities for sewage in the Baltic Sea area and related trends in passenger traffic” which was recently . The ship-specific results of the survey now launched will be used to further develop and update the 2013 overview during the autumn of 2014. * * *Note for editors:National maritime administrations, industry and the civil society cooperate closely within to find joint solutions for cleaner Baltic Sea shipping. During the last decade shipping has steadily increased in the Baltic Sea, reflecting intensifying co-operation and economic prosperity around the region. At the same time, increasing maritime transportation threatens fragile ecosystems and the livelihoods of the many people who depend on the sea. More than 2,000 ships are at sea each day and the amount is predicted to keep growing. Between 2006 and 2010, the number of ships entering or leaving the Baltic Sea via Skaw increased by more than 10%. Passenger ships comprise approximately 11% of the total ship traffic in the Baltic Sea. Some 91 million passengers in international traffic passed through over 50 Baltic Sea ports in 2008.  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 further information, please contact:Hermanni Backer Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Planning HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 8509199 Skype: helcom02 E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The survey aims to collect detailed data on sewage delivery needs and available facilities, to pave the way for the IMO ban on sewage in the Baltic Sea.

​ has released today a to Alien Species and Ballast Water Management in the Baltic Sea, to mitigate the harmful impact of alien species and to inform stakeholders, i.a. mariners entering in the area. The new Guide provides an overview of the global and regional implementation measures applicable in the Baltic Sea he enclosed form, low salinity and relatively lively maritime traffic make the Baltic Sea prone to entrance and settlement of non-native species transmitted through ships ballast water. Shipping connects the region to a multitude of destinations all around the world and can thus not be addressed by Baltic Sea countries alone his global threat to the Baltic Sea is addressed by the 2004 International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments () of the International Maritime Organisation (). The BWM Convention aims to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms from one region to another, by establishing standards and procedures for the management and control of ships’ ballast water and sediments ince the adoption of the BWM Convention the Baltic Sea coastal countries have cooperated within HELCOM Maritime Group in order to ensure an efficient and harmonised implementation of the Convention measures in the Baltic Sea area egional measures developed within HELCOM include recommendations regarding ballast water exchange, definitions of target species as well as delineating procedures for granting of exemptions to ballast water management based on risk assessments (A-4). The geographical coverage of such measures is, in certain cases, supra-regional such as the three set of voluntary guidelines on ballast water exchange agreed together with the OSPAR Commission and the Barcelona Convention, and the”Joint HELCOM/OSPAR on the granting of exemptions under the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, Regulation A-4″ he Guide has been drafted by the HELCOM project , coordinated by the HELCOM Secretariat, with input from the experts from HELCOM member states.  * * *Note for editors:Shipping 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 he 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 IMOs international shipping regulations in accordance to the 1992 Helsinki Convention. * * *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 more information, please contact:Marta RuizProject Researcher (ALIENS 3)HELCOMTel.: +358 40 647 2424Skype: helcom59E-mail: Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199Skype: helcom02E-mail:

HELCOM has released today a Guide to Alien Species and Ballast Water Management in the Baltic Sea, to inform stakeholders, i.a. mariners entering in the area.

With the active involvement of the member states including all Baltic Sea countries, the International Maritime Organization’s () Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 66) has agreed last Friday on a compromise on the implementation dates of existing as well as future Nitrogen Oxide Emission Control Areas (NOx ECAs) under the MARPOL Convention. The establishing of such a control area is expected to mitigate pollution since emissions from shipping constitute a significant source of airborne nitrogen deposition e.g. to the Baltic Sea. The adoption of the compromise amendments includes the retaining of the implementation date of 2016 for the already designated North American and US Caribbean NOx ECAs; postponing the effective date of superyachts in operation in these areas to 2021, and leave the implementation dates of future NOx ECA areas to be decided on a case by case basis. As for the Baltic Sea, an application document has been prepared by HELCOM Maritime Group since 2008 and regarded as ready for submission since 2012. “The designation of new Emission Control Areas is important in order to reduce NOx emissions from shipping. I believe the amendment adopted by MEPC 66 has clarified the conditions for new NECAs and will facilitate the discussions of an application to IMO to designate the Baltic Sea a NOx ECA”, says Ms. Anna Petersson, Chair of HELCOM Maritime Group.                                                                               Shipping in the Baltic is the source of over 13000 tons of airborne nitrogen deposited to the sea annually, close to the contribution of all land based airborne emissions from countries like Russia or Sweden. If the Baltic Sea would be established as a NOx ECAs it is expected to reduce Nitrogen pollution of the Baltic Sea by around 7000 tons annually. The intensive negotiations that took place last week in London on Nitrogen emission control, have been based on several submissions from IMO member states.  BackgroundWhen in force, the Nitrogen Oxide Emission Control Areas (NOx ECAs) require that ships meet the strictest (Tier III) NOx emission standards defined in the Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention when operating in these areas. So far only two NOx ECAs, in the North America and United States Caribbean Sea, have been designated but such status has been discussed at least within the Baltic and the North Seas. In October 2013, due to the lack of firm IMO decision on implementation dates the Baltic Sea countries were in a difficult negotiation positions during the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting. The Countries did not agree on new substantial decisions regarding the Baltic Sea NOx ECA submission to IMO MEPC, despite lengthy negotiations. As a compromise the 2013 HELCOM declaration refers to an earlier commitment from 2010 to work towards submitting a joint proposal to IMO preferably by 2011. HELCOM has had the observer status at IMO since the early 1980s and was represented at the IMO MEPC 66 by the Secretariat. The Chair of the HELCOM Maritime Group, Ms. Anna Petersson, participated in the meeting as part of the Swedish delegation. * * *Note for editors:The 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. 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 more information, please contact:Anna PeterssonChair of HELCOM Maritime GroupCivil Aviation and Maritime DepartmentSwedish Transport AgencyTel: +46 767211018E-mail: anna.petersson(@)transportstyrelsen.se Hermanni Backer Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Planning HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 8509199 E-mail: hermanni.backer(@)helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

IMO last Friday has agreed on a compromise on the implementation dates of existing as well as future Nitrogen Oxide Emission Control Areas (NOx ECAs) under the MARPOL Convention.

The strategic direction for
HELCOM internal and external communication has been set and adopted by the
HELCOM Annual Meeting last Friday. The new has been prepared to better
reflect the main priorities of HELCOM work and to support its key function as
the provider of reliable and timely information, and it describes the basic
elements of HELCOM strategic communication such as goals and objectives, target
audience and messages.  mportantly, the new Strategy responds to the needs of streamlined HELCOM activities in reaction to inevitable changes in the realities surrounding and interacting with HELCOM key working areas. The achievements of the streamlining process will ensure an up-to-date, more efficient HELCOM in both internal processes and in its plentiful external relations. >

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* * *>>For further information, please contact:>>Johanna Laurila>
Information Secretary>
HELCOM>
Tel: +358 40 523 8988>
Skype: helcom70>
E-mail: >>

The strategic direction for HELCOM internal and external communication was adopted by the HELCOM Annual Meeting.

​The 35th Annual Meeting of closed yesterday evening after reviewing the current and relevant key issues related to regional policy-making on Baltic marine environment.  The Annual Meeting, involving HELCOM member parties which consist of all the Baltic coastal nations and the EU, is the highest decision-making body of HELCOM and explores the yearly developments concerning eutrophication, hazardous substances, biodiversity and maritime activities. This year’s Meeting started with a special festive flavor with the 40th Anniversary celebrating the signing of the 1974 Helsinki Convention, providing the basis for HELCOM work.  The Meeting decided yesterday on necessary steps in order to develop a Regional Action Plan on marine litter by 2015, as agreed by the Ministerial Meeting last October. Marine litter is a broad and critical concern and the Action Plan will form a regional strategy on how to deal with it in a comprehensive way. The Plan will be developed based on information on sources and amounts of marine litter, and it aims to include concrete measures to minimize the presence of marine litter in the Baltic Sea. Its development will be organized through regional workshops and with close involvement of the Contracting Parties. The proposed working plan utilizes the experience from preparing the Regional Action Plan for the North-East Atlantic within OSPAR. Another key topic in the extensive Meeting agenda was the major overhaul of the HELCOM Recommendation on coastal and marine Baltic Sea protected areas. Such protected areas are essential for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the versatility of ecosystems. The previous similar document, HELCOM Recommendation , was adopted 20 years ago, and the Contracting Parties now agreed on the main changes in the Recommendation with only small aspects pending confirmation shortly. The main reasons for creating the new Recommendation have been the need to update the selection criteria of the marine protected areas, also concerning the newly Red-listed habitats and species; to establish a new database and ensure it is updated; and to re-assess the criteria for both ecological coherence and management aspects. Furthermore, to help reduce harmful nutrients in the Baltic Sea, the Meeting decided in principal to submit a notification on improved sewage reception facilities in Baltic ports to the International Maritime Organization (). Such a submission to IMO meeting will trigger an enforcement of ban on sewage discharges from passenger ships according to the special areas status of the Baltic Sea under the IMO MARPOL convention, which Baltic has been granted as the first sea area in the world following the HELCOM-led process.  An overview on current availability of port reception facilities for passenger vessels’ sewage, as well as on passenger traffic trends, are about to be published on HELCOM website. Almost 40 years of successful marine protection of HELCOM has been achieved through constant self-reflection. Yesterday the 35th Annual Meeting endorsed a plan for major deliverables by the organization until 2021 as well as agreed to implement a number of measures for a modernized HELCOM. The new, more streamlined working structure for HELCOM main operational bodies was to a large extent completed, to better reflect the current environmental challenges and obligations of the Contracting Parties. HELCOM will pay more attention in the future to better communicating scientific and technical outcomes to decision-makers as well as the general public.  The 35th meeting was chaired by Helle Pilsgaard, Chair of HELCOM. All Meeting documents can be accessed in  * * *Note for editors: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 more information, please contact:Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail:  

Work starts on Baltic marine litter action plan and other current key issues reviewed on Baltic environmental policies.

​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.

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.

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.

​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