Nitrogen Load Reduction for the Baltic Sea Makes Progress in HELCOM Meeting

7 March 2012, Helsinki, Finland – The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) has concluded its 2-day annual meeting in Helsinki, well participated by the nine HELCOM member states, EU and observers.

A key decision out of the over 30 agenda items was related to designating Baltic Sea as a Nitrogen-Oxides (NOx) Emission Control Area (NECA) on ship emissions.

All parties of HELCOM decided that there will be two submissions to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). One is the application on achieving the NOx Emission Control Area status for the Baltic Sea (under Annex VI to MARPOL); the other is an overview of available technology to meet NECA requirements by ships. Both documents are now finalized.

Under NECA status, the Baltic Sea will see substantial reductions in the ship emissions of NOx which, in turn, will reduce nitrogen load and have positive effects on marine environment as well as on human health along the coastal areas. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the two key nutrients causing eutrophication.

The Meeting considered the progress of BALTHAZAR Project and acknowledged that there is a need to urgently follow up the high phosphorus load in the Luga River. The high concentrations were observed in Kingisepp, Russia, located nearby fertilizer plant Fosforit which is owned by a large manufacturer EuroChem. The higher loads of phosphorus in Luga were reported by Russia since 2008 and further investigated by BALTHAZAR.

Further, HELCOM emphasized the importance that monitoring carried out by the relevant Russian authorities and EuroChem is joined by the BALTHAZAR Project soonest possible. Adequate monitoring is needed for a comprehensive evaluation of the situation in order to mitigate the pollution.

The Russian Federation has expressed the readiness to have a meeting on 13 March 2012 in order to decide on the details on the joint BALTHAZAR sampling programme.  

Further, representatives of EuroChem participating with the Russian delegation in the Meeting, confirmed their commitment to an open dialogue and cooperation with HELCOM to improve the situation.

In addition, HELCOM Annual Meeting adopted three new Recommendations dealing with response to shoreline pollution; expanded use of automatic identification system to monitor shipping; and reporting on pollution accidents. The complete Minutes of the Meeting, along with other Meeting documents, will be available in the Meeting Portal of the HELCOM website (helcom.fi).

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Note for 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 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.

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For further information, please contact

Ms. Johanna Laurila
Information Secretary

HELCOM
Tel: +358 40 523 8988
Fax: +358 207 412 645

E-mail: johanna.laurila@helcom.fi

Skype: helcom70

Mr. Hermanni Backer

Professional Secretary (MARITIME and RESPONSE)

HELCOM

Tel: +358 46 850 9199

Fax: +358 207 412 645

E-mail: hermanni.backer@helcom.fi

Skype: helcom02

Mr. Kaj Forsius

Project Manager

BALTHAZAR / HELCOM

Tel: +358 46 850 9212

Fax: +358 207 412 645

E-mail: kaj.forsius@helcom.fi

Skype: helcom22