Information from the Baltic Sea Action Group:
CARGO SHIPS DISCHARGE PART OF THEIR WASTE
INTO THE BALTIC SEA – INFORMATION ON WASTE
SERVICES IS NOW BROUGHT DIRECTLY TO SHIPS
A significant number of cargo ships in the Baltic Sea discharge part of their waste directly into
the sea, completely legally, even though this waste is known to eutrophicate the Baltic Sea.
Cargo ships in particular are not aware of the special conditions in the Baltic Sea nor of the
No Special Fee payment system at Baltic ports, where a waste fee is charged regardless of
whether the ship leaves waste at the port or not. The Baltic Sea Waste Fee Info, initiated
by the Baltic Sea Action Group and created in cooperation with the Finnish maritime cluster,
provides ships with information on the ease of discharging waste at ports.
“A survey conducted by BSAG and the Shipbrokers’
Association revealed that voluntary actions are
needed as soon as possible to reduce eutrophic
discharges into the Baltic Sea,” says Elisa Mikkolainen,
Baltic Sea Action Group’s maritime Project Director, and
continues “BSAG assembled a team to more efficiently
disseminate information on the specific conditions of the
Baltic Sea and responsible waste management to all the
2000 ships that sail the Baltic Sea each day. With the
information package we aim to get all ships to discharge
all their waste into port reception facilities and thus
reduce discharges from shipping in the Baltic Sea.”
“Traficom wants to participate in raising awareness,
especially on ships that visit Finnish ports less often,” says
Mirja Ikonen, Head of the Marine Environment team at
Traficom and adds “the information package encourages
ships to also deliver to port reception facilities the types of
waste that can still be legally discharged into the Baltic Sea”.
SEWAGE CAUSES AN UNNECESSARY
BURDEN TO THE BALTIC SEA
International regulations define the Baltic Sea as both a
special area and a particularly sensitive sea area. The
Baltic Sea therefore has special regulations governing
shipping, which are stricter than in many other sea areas.
However, under certain conditions, vessels may discharge
wastewater, treated sewage, and ground food waste into
the sea. Waste waters and food waste entering the sea
from ships put a strain on the Baltic Sea and exacerbate
eutrophication and oxygen deficiency.
FINNISH MARITIME OPERATORS CO-OPERATE
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BALTIC SEA
Good cooperation has been a driving force in promoting
responsible shipping. The Baltic Sea Waste Fee Info was
created by BSAG, the Finnish Port Association, the
Shipbrokers Finland, the Finnish Shipowners’ Association,
the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency
Traficom, the Ministry of the Environment and the
Ministry of Transport and Communications of Finland.
“The compact information package contains informa-tion
on the NSF system, which types of waste are covered
by the mandatory waste fee and where a separate fee
10 SUOMEN MERENKULKU J FINLANDS SJÖFART
should be paid. The information package also contains
links to port waste management arrangements and
information on the special features of marine nature”, says
Kirsti Tarnanen-Sariola, Deputy Director of the Finnish
Port Association. “The goal of ports is to make it as easy
as possible to leave waste in ports. In addition, ships can
find the information package on the ports’ websites”,
continues Tarnanen-Sariola.
“As a provider of Vessel Traffic Service, we share the
information package with ships moving in Finland’s sea
areas and international sea areas in the Gulf of Finland. We
are very excited to be part of this project,” says Kati
Westerlund, Quality & Environment Manager at Fintraffic.
“Finnish shipbrokers and agents deliver the information
package to ships and at the same time contribute on their
part to reducing discharges into the Baltic Sea. The
information package is a great tool for both ships and
shipowners”, states Sari Turkkila General Manager at
Shipbrokers Finland. In addition, BSAG is marketing the
information package through the Responsible Shipping
project. •
MORE INFORMATION:
• Elisa Mikkolainen, Project Director,
Maritime, Baltic Sea Action Group
+358 40 660 1829, elisa.mikkolainen@bsag.fi
• Mirja Ikonen, Head of the Marine Environment team,
Traficom
+358 02 95 34 6481, mirja.ikonen@traficom.fi
• Kirsti Tarnanen-Sariola, Deputy Director,
Finnish Port Association
+358 50 564 6465, kirsti.tarnanen-sariola@satamaliitto.fi
BSAG’s two year Grey waters in maritime traffic -project receives
funding from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund’s Finnish
Operational Program 2014–2020.
https://www.bsag.fi/en/balticseawastefeeinfo-to-ships/
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