Multinational marine surveillance cooperation to be improved in Baltic Sea

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Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, and Lithuania have decided to tighten up their joint marine surveillance in the Baltic Sea.
      The six coastal states have agreed upon a regular multinational exchange of marine surveillance information that is to serve both marine safety and environmental protection.
     
A cooperation agreement was signed in Helsinki on Wednesday. In addition to the six coastal nations, even Norway, Poland, and Latvia have shown interest in cooperation, while Russia has decided not to be involved.
      According to Commander Pasi Staff from the Navy Command Finland, this is the first time when such a culture based on a regular exchange of multinational information will be established to serve the marine surveillance of the Baltic Sea.
     
In the middle of March, the six coastal countries are to start a weekly exchange of information on issues which could have an impact on marine safety.
      Information can be exchanged relating to dangerous cargo or vessels that are in poor shape, among other things.
      ”No military secrets are to be revealed; only information relevant to marine safety will be given”, says Staff.
     
The purpose of the exchange of information is to strengthen and expand the existing cooperation relating to rescue preparedness, crime prevention, environmental protection, as well as accident avoidance.
      The risk of accidents - or even of an oil catastrophe - is high, particularly on the congested and narrow routes in the Gulf of Finland, with a large increase in the volume of transport.
      In 2000, the aggregate amount of oil transport through the Gulf of Finland was 40 million tonnes, while the current figure is 150 million tonnes. The forecast for 2015 is as much as 250 million tonnes. This is a lot of shipping in a small channel, and one that is not overly easy to navigate, especially in winter.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Minister Häkämies recommends marine surveillance cooperation with Russia (1.2.2008)
  Admiral Kaskeala: Joint Nordic air surveillance possible (22.1.2008)
  Transport of Russian oil through Gulf of Finland could double soon (5.3.2007)

Helsingin Sanomat