Maritime Safety and Security – a Priority Area of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region 

In 2009, the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region was adopted, as the European Union´s first macro-regional strategy. The Strategy consists of several priority areas, of which one focuses on maritime safety and security.

The overall goal of the Priority Area on Maritime Safety and Security is for the Baltic Sea Region “to become a leading region in maritime safety and security”. This objective is pursued through a political dialogue and through number of flagship projects.

Denmark and Finland serve as Priority Area Coordinators for this Priority Area on behalf of the other EU Member States around the Baltic Sea. The task is jointly headed by the Finnish Transport Safety Agency (TRAFI) and the Danish Maritime Authority. From the creation of the Strategy in 2009 the task was, however, handled by the Danish Maritime Safety Administration until October 2011 and by the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Finland until the end of 2012.

An international Steering Committee has been established to guide and assist the Priority Area Coordinators in their work. Maritime authorities from the Baltic Sea States with an interest in maritime safety and security and relevant regional organisations attend its meetings.

A short description of the Priority Area and its projects can be found in a new brochure.

Current Flagship Projects of the Priority Area
13.1   Conduct a technical feasibility study on a Baltic Sea Coastguard Network (Baltic Sea Maritime Functionalities Network - BSMF)
 
13.2   Become a pilot region for the integration of maritime surveillance systems (Maritime Surveillance in the Northern European Sea basins - MARSUNO)
 
13.3   Speed up re-surveying of major shipping routes and ports
 
13.4   Become a pilot region for e-Navigation (Efficient, Safe and Sustainable Traffic at Sea - EfficienSea)
 
13.5   Create a network of centres of excellence for maritime training
 
13.6   Develop a plan to reduce the number of accidents in fisheries
 
13.7   Conduct a pre-study on possible funding for a formal risk assessment for LNG carriers

13.8   Minimising the risk of transportation of dangerous goods by sea

New project: Development of Shipping Routes and e-Navigation in the Baltic Sea"

New project: To create a centre for knowledge and innovation in the field of maritime safety and security

New project: To Ensure Safe and Efficient Winter Navigation in the Baltic Sea

The international Steering Committee decided at its meeting in Helsinki on 14 May 2012 to recommend that three additional projects are granted Flagship Project status. The Action Plan is currently being revised and a final version is expected by early 2013.