Chemical Tanker project

When a tanker carrying liquid bulk cargoes – that is, chemicals – washes its tanks, this can result in the discharge of hundreds of litres of harmful and hazardous chemicals into the sea in one go. After unloading their cargo, chemical tankers often wash their tanks with seawater en route to the next port of loading. According to international legislation, washing water containing chemicals can be discharged into the sea within certain limitations. The ship must be travelling at least 12 nautical miles (approx. 22 km) from the nearest land and the depth of the sea must be at least 25 m.

Even though the washing water is diluted when it mixes with the Baltic Sea, it is advisable to avoid discharges of harmful substances.

The Chemical Tanker Project seeks to identify the most harmful and hazardous chemical discharges into the Baltic Sea resulting from the tank washing of chemical tankers at Finnish and Swedish ports. It also seeks to find solutions to reduce permissible discharges. The chemical load caused by tank washing can be reduced by means such as developing tank emptying and washing methods as well as the treatment of washing water. The most effective solutions may vary for different chemicals – for this reason, the companies using these chemicals play a key role in finding the best solutions. Municipalities, entrepreneurs and residents are not making the right decisions because they lack awareness about both the problem and potential solutions.