Focus on shipping and the environment in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region 

Exactly one year ago, the European Commission launched the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. The aim of the strategy is to create coherence between the regional cooperation and the overall EU policy. The strategy has a very wide focus. Issues such as improved environmental conditions, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, maritime safety, energy markets as well as maritime emergency preparedness in case of major accidents are at the core of the strategy.

One of the key issues of the strategy is the marine environment and reduced pollution from shipping. In this connection, the Danish Maritime Authority plays a leading role as the coordinator of six projects. What is common to all the projects is the fact that they all cut across country borders. More specifically, some of the projects aim to meet the challenges created by the emission of CO2 and other harmful substances (such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide), while others focus on eliminating the discharge of sewage from ships as well as solving the challenges in connection with the handling of garbage on board the ships and in port.

Several of the projects focus on the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an alternative, less polluting fuel. For example, the infrastructural potential of using LNG in short sea shipping is to be examined. A separate news item on this is available here.

Recently, the Danish Maritime Authority held the first report meeting in connection with the various projects. The responsible project owners took part in the meeting, and the general information given was that most projects are well underway. In late summer, the European Commission will draw up a status report on the overall Baltic Sea Strategy. The report will be discussed at the annual forum in Tallinn, Estonia, in October 2010.

More information about the EU Strategy on the Baltic Sea Region is available here.