HELCOM Response Group to approve a new regulation for Baltic shoreline response

13 September 2011, HELCOM Information Service – The Response Group of the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM RESPONSE) meets today to discuss further counter-measures to deal with major marine pollution incidents – such as oil spillages – in the Baltic region, and how to enhance the response capacity of the Baltic Sea coastal countries. Another key topic will be to find better ways to detect offenders of anti-pollution regulations. The meeting takes place on 13–15 September 2011 in Helsinki.

The Baltic Sea countries are expected to decide on a new HELCOM Recommendation, which would strengthen the cooperation of shoreline responses to spillages of oil and other harmful substances. The Recommendation requires the Baltic Sea countries to develop and put into place a shoreline response plan – one that is integrated with the national contingency plan. “The adoption of a set of common requirements will ensure that all the coastal states achieve a corresponding level of preparedness. It also will ensure the permanent cooperation in responding to shoreline pollution in the Baltic Sea, similarly to the well-functioning regional system for pollution in the open sea,” says Bernt Stedt, Chairman of the HELCOM Response Group.  The Recommendation is the outcome of the work of the HELCOM expert group, co-led by Poland and Germany.

The Response Group will also review the progress of the BRISK and BRISK-RU projects (Sub-regional risk of spill of oil and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea, 2009–2012) and the outcome of their comprehensive risk assessment of shipping accidents in the Baltic Sea area. This risk analysis is a tool that the countries are now using to improve the existing response capacities according to the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan.

According to the agenda of the meeting, representatives of the coastal countries will plan for the next year's BALEX DELTA international oil spill response exercise that will be held in Finland, as well as the forthcoming aerial surveillance operations. The meeting will also evaluate recent operations, such as BALEX DELTA held off Bornholm, Denmark on 30–31 August 2011, and Super CEPCO surveillance operation organized in Finland on 29 August–3 September 2011, during which aircrafts from five HELCOM countries jointly monitored the northern Baltic Sea for six consecutive days in search of ships discharging oil into the sea.

Other issues on the agenda include recent developments within the national contingency plans and resources, oiled wildlife response, use of satellites for detecting illegal discharges and post-spill impact assessment.

The meeting will be chaired by Mr. Bernt Stedt from the Swedish Coastguard Headquarters.

Note to Editors:

The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Community 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.

About HELCOM RESPONSE:

The HELCOM Response Group 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.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Monika Stankiewicz

Professional Secretary

HELCOM

Tel: +358 (0)40 840 2471

Fax: +358 (0)207 412 645

E-mail: monika.stankiewicz@helcom.fi

Ms. Johanna Laurila

Information Secretary

HELCOM

Tel: +358 (0)40 523 8988

Fax: +358 (0)207 412 645

E-mail: johanna.laurila@helcom.fi