Cargo ships in particular are not aware of the special conditions in the Baltic Sea nor of the No Special Fee payment system at Baltic ports, where a waste fee is charged regardless of whether the ship leaves waste at the port or not. The Baltic Sea Waste Fee Info, initiated by the Baltic Sea Action Group and created in cooperation with the Finnish maritime cluster, provides ships with information on the ease of discharging waste at ports.
Aim is to more efficiently disseminate information on the specific conditions of the Baltic Sea and responsible waste management to all the 2000 ships that sail the Baltic Sea each day. The object is to get all ships to discharge all their waste into port reception facilities and thus reduce discharges from shipping in the Baltic Sea.
The compact information package contains information on the NSF system, which types of waste are covered by the mandatory waste fee and where a separate fee should be paid. The information package also contains links to port waste management arrangements and information on the special features of marine nature.
The information package is shared with ships moving in Finland's sea areas and international sea areas in the Gulf of Finland.Finnish shipbrokers and agents deliver the information package to ships. In addition, BSAG is marketing the information package through the Responsible Shipping project.
Sewage causes an unnecessary burden to the Baltic Sea
International regulations define the Baltic Sea as both a special area and a particularly sensitive sea area. The Baltic Sea therefore has special regulations governing shipping, which are stricter than in many other sea areas. However, under certain conditions, vessels may discharge wastewater, treated sewage, and ground food waste into the sea. Waste waters and food waste entering the sea from ships put a strain on the Baltic Sea and exacerbate eutrophication and oxygen deficiency.
Read more about the subject on Baltic Sea Action Group's website.
