Finland to fine ships for oil discharges in international waters

"Economic zone" extending jurisdiction comes into effect in February

print this

Finnish environment officials will soon be able to punish ships for discharges of oil and other chemicals, even if the spills take place in international waters.
      A new "economic zone", which extends to open sea, will come into effect at the beginning of February. A law establishing such a zone was passed on November 26th.
      Sari Mäkelä of the Ministry of Transport and Communications says that the new law will allow Finland to impose fines on ships dumping chemicals or oil within the economic zone, if the discharge causes considerable damage, or a risk of damage.
     
The economic zone extends from the outer limit of Finland’s territorial waters to the middle of the Gulf of Finland and Gulf of Bothnia - that is, to the economic zones of Estonia and Sweden respectively.
      As it is now written, a fine would require a decision by a court. However, an amendment to the legislation is planned, which would make it possible to impose on-the-spot fines.
     
There has been a sharp decrease in illegal dumping of oil in waters near Finland in recent years. In 1999, 448 oil slicks were detected by airborne surveillance, while last year there were only 292.
      In Finnish territorial waters, 107 oil discharges were detected in 2001, and in 2002 there were 75. Last year only 40 were recorded.
      In addition to tighter enforcement, the trend is attributed to a new mandatory waste oil disposal levy that is included in a ship’s harbour fees. It must be paid regardless of whether or not a ship leaves any oil waste at the harbour.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finland to extend monitoring of maritime violations beyond territorial waters (5.11.2003)

Helsingin Sanomat