HELCOM - 13. spotkanie Grupy ds. Zrównoważonych Praktyk Rolniczych

Following discussions at the HELCOM IC MARITIME 2-2023 meeting last fall, we organized a workshop focused on reducing the discharges of residues of noxious liquid substances into the Baltic Sea from cargo tank washing on chemical tankers. This workshop was directly linked to the implementation of HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) action S16 and MARPOL Annex II concerning the categorization and regulation of noxious liquid substances.

The workshop took place on 16-17 May 2024 as a hybrid event, was proudly co-hosted by Latvia, Sweden, and Finland and co-organized by the John Nurminen Foundation (JNF) and the Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB).

The primary goals of the workshop were:
• to initiate a comprehensive dialogue on the effective implementation of BSAP action S16 across the Baltic Sea region, and
• to find a common view on how to make the HELCOM state-specific risk assessment.
• We also wished to encourage stakeholders to implement actions to decrease the discharges.

Agenda Thursday, 16 May 2024 (12-16 CET) - Session 1

• Welcome words and introduction
• Presentations, introductions to topics
- HELCOM: The BSAP and its commitments to reduce the impacts of hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment: Current regulation regarding tank washing in the Baltic Sea (MARPOL)
- Chalmers University of Technology: Tank cleaning and its impact on the marine environment
- Swedish Coastguard: Observations about tank washing discharges in the Baltic Sea
- John Nurminen Foundation and CCB: Chemical Tanker Project
- Bewi Raw Oy: a business case
• Evening program: dinner

Recording day 1


Agenda Friday, 17 May 2024 (9-12 CET) - Session 2

• Short presentations from HELCOM states about their current situations
• Finland/Finnish Communications and Transportation Agency: An example on how to make the risk assessment
• Sweden/Swedish Transportation Agency: Results from Swedish risk assessment
• Workshop & discussion: The objective is to advance the implementation of BSAP action S16 by collaboratively assessing the current situation, considering the need for additional studies and risk assessments, and by considering the next steps for taking relevant action with a view to limiting the harmful effects of discharges from tank washing on chemical tankers.

Recording day 2


Documents related to the workshop
- Document Presentations day 1 (PDF).
- Document Presentations day 2 (PDF).
- Document submitted by CCB and JNF to HELCOM IC MARITIME 2-2023.

Organised by

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor CINEA can be held responsible for them.