Assessment of the need for escort towing in tanker transport routes to prevent accidents in the Baltic Sea area (Recommendation 25/5) - ROD

Legal framework
Legislative instrument title	Helsinki Convention [Article 20, paragraph b]
Sibling reporting obligations	Amendments to Annex IV "Prevention of pollution from ships" to the Helsinki Convention, concerning discharge of sewage Recommendation 24/8 [Article 20Paragraph 1c] Antifouling paints containing organotin compounds (Recommendation 20/4) [Article 13, paragraph b] Application by the Baltic Sea States of a Helsinki Convention form for reporting alleged inadequacy of reception facilities for sewage (Recommendation 10/6) [Article 13, paragraph b] Application of the no special-fee system to ship-generated wastes in the Baltic Sea area. Recommendation 26/1 [Article 20, paragraph b] Approval of pesticides (plant protection products for use in the catchment area of the Baltic Sea (Recommendation 20/2) [Article 13, paragraph b] Basic principles for realisation of BAT and BEP in the food industry (Reccomendation 17/10) [Article 13, paragraph b] Basic principles in wastewater management in the leather industry (Recommendation 16/7) [Article 13, paragraph b] Batteries containing mercury, cadmium or lead (Recommendation 24/2) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Co-operation and assistance to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia in the field of Combatting marine pollution incidents (Recommendation 23/2) [Article 20, paragraph 1b)] Compilation of Waterborne pollution load (PLC Water) (c) (Recommendtion 26/2) [Article13, paragraph (b)] Conservation of seals in the Baltic Sea Area (Recommendation 17-28/2) Elimination of PCBs and PCTs (Recommendation 25/1) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Ensuring adequate emergency capacity Recommendation 24/9 [Article 20 paragraph 1b] Further development and use of Drift Forecasting for Oils and other Harmful Substances in the Baltic [Article 20, paragraph 1b] Guidelines on bunkering operations and ship to ship cargo transfers of oils, subject to Annex I of MARPOL 73/78, in the Baltic Sea Area [Article 20 Paragraph 1b] HELCOM Indicator Fact Sheets Implementation of integrated marine and coastal management of human activities in the Baltic Sea Area (Recommendation 24/10) [Article 20 (1), paragraph (b)] Industrial connections and point sources other than household connected to municipal sewerage systems Limitations of emissions into atmosphere and discharges into water from incineration of household waste (Recommendation 27/1) [Article 20, paragraph 1b] Limitations of emissions to the atmosphere and discharges into water from the glass industry (Recommendation 14/3) [Article 13, paragraph b] Managing wetlands and freshwater ecosystems for retention of nutrients (Recommendation 18/4) [Article 13, paragraph b] Marine sediment extraction in the Baltic Sea (Recommendation 19/1) [Article 13, paragraph b] Measures aimed at reduction of discharges from fresh water and marine fish farming (Recommendation 25/4) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Measures aimed at reduction of mercury pollution resulting from light sources and electrical equipment (Recommendation 23/4) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Measures aimed at the reduction of emissions and discharges from agriculture (Recommendation 24/3) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Measures to abate pollution by oil and other harmful substances in cases of grounding, collision, sinking of a ship or other maratime casualty (Recommendation 17/12) [Article 13, paragraph b] Monas report for biological data and harmful substances (Recommendation 19/3) [Article 13, paragraph b] MONAS report for hydrographic and hydrochemical data (Recommendation 19/3) [Article 13, paragraph b] Monitoring of airborne pollution load (Recommendation 24/1) [Article13, paragraph (b)] Monitoring of radioactive substances (Recommendation 26/3) [Article13, paragraph (b)] Nitrogen removal at municipal sewage water treatment plants Recommendation 16/9 [Article 13, paragraph b] Offshore Activities (Recommendation 18/2) [Article 13, paragraph b] Proper Handling of waste/landfilling (Recommendation 24/5) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Protection and improvement of the wild salmon populations in the Baltic Sea area (Salmo salar L.) (Recommendation 19/2) [Article 13, paragraph b] Protection of Harbour Porpoise in the Baltic Sea Area (Recommendation 17/2) [Article 13, paragraph b] Protection of harbour porpoise in the Baltic Sea Area (Recommendation 17/2) Protection of heavily endangered or immediately threatened marine and coastal biotopes in the Baltic Sea Area (Recommendation 21/4) [Article 20 (1), paragraph (b)] Protection of Seals in the Baltic Sea Area (Recommendation 9/1) Protection of the Coastal Strip (Recommendation 15/1) [Article 13, paragraph b] Recommendation concerning measures aimed at the reduction of discharges from urban areas by the development of sewerage systems Recommendation 7/3 [Article 13 paragraph b] Recommendation concerning measures aimed at the reduction of discharges from urban areas by the use of effective methods in wastewater treatment [Article 13 paragraph b] Reduction of discharges and emissions from production and formulation of pesticides (Recommendation 23/10) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Reduction of discharges and emissions from production of textiles (Recommendation 23/12) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Reduction of discharges from Kraft Pulp industry Recommendation 17/8 [Article 13 paragragh b] Reduction of discharges from metal surface treatment industry (Recommendation 23/7) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Reduction of discharges from oil refineries (Recommendation 23/8) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Reduction of discharges from the sulphite pulp industry Recommendation 17/9 [Article 13 paragraph b] Reduction of discharges from Urban areas by the proper management of storm water systems (Recommendation 23/5) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Reduction of emissions and discharges from industry by effective use of BAT (Recommendation 25/2) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Reduction of emissions and discharges from the iron and steel industry (Recommendation 24/4) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Reduction of emissions and discharges from the pulp and paper industry (Recommendations 16/4) [Article 13, paragraph b] Reduction of emissions and discharges of mercury from chloroalkali industry (Recommendation 23/6) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Reduction of emissions from transport sector affecting the Baltic Sea (Recommendation 17/1) [Article 13, paragraph b] Reduction of nutrients and other pollutants leaching from forestry land (Recommendation 25/3) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Reduction of pollution from discharges into water, emissions into the atmosphere and phosphogypsum out of the production of fertilisers (Recommendation 17/6) [Article 13, paragraph b] Reduction of the Discharges from the Kraft Pulp industry Recommendation 17/8 [Article 13 paragraph b] Report on Information and Consultation with Regard to Constructions of New Installations Affecting the Baltic Sea Recommendation 17/3 Report on Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Tourism in Coastal Zones Recommendation 21/3 Report on the Preservation of Natural Coastal Dynamics Recommendation 16/3 Requirements for discharging wastewater from the chemical industry (Recommendation 23/11) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Restriction of atmospheric emissions and waste water discharges from hard coal cokeries (Recommendation 23/9) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b] Safety of winter navigation in the Baltic Sea Area Recommendation 25/7 [Article 20 paragragh 1b] System of Coastal and Marine Baltic Sea Protected Areas (BSPA) (Recommendation 15/5) [Article 13, paragraph b] Waterborne pollution load compilation (quantified point and non-point sources) (Recommendtion 19/4) [terminated] [Article13, paragraph (b)]
Type of obligation	Expected
Participating countries/territories	Denmark , Estonia , Finland , Germany , Latvia , Lithuania , Poland , Russian Federation , Sweden
Environmental issues	Water
General comments	Involves an evaluation on the need for escort towing services for laden oil and chemical tankers on voyages to and from oil and chemical ports, terminals and off-shore loading places where a failure of propulsion or steering of a tanker is likely to cause a severe pollution incident due to narrow straits, shallow depths, archipelago areas and/or ice conditions during winter period. Under the new HELCOM reporting strategy there will be more focus on establishing links between driving forces, pressures, state and impacts in the Baltic environment. The intension is to collate all relevant data reported by contracting parties under current European legislative drivers and to request additional data only where it is deemed to be necessary. This will reduce the burden on Contracting Parties and imprive efficiency of overall assessment process.
DPSIR	R

Sibling reporting obligations

Amendments to Annex IV "Prevention of pollution from ships" to the Helsinki Convention, concerning discharge of sewage Recommendation 24/8 [Article 20Paragraph 1c]
Antifouling paints containing organotin compounds (Recommendation 20/4) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Application by the Baltic Sea States of a Helsinki Convention form for reporting alleged inadequacy of reception facilities for sewage (Recommendation 10/6) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Application of the no special-fee system to ship-generated wastes in the Baltic Sea area. Recommendation 26/1 [Article 20, paragraph b]
Approval of pesticides (plant protection products for use in the catchment area of the Baltic Sea (Recommendation 20/2) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Basic principles for realisation of BAT and BEP in the food industry (Reccomendation 17/10) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Basic principles in wastewater management in the leather industry (Recommendation 16/7) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Batteries containing mercury, cadmium or lead (Recommendation 24/2) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Co-operation and assistance to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia in the field of Combatting marine pollution incidents (Recommendation 23/2) [Article 20, paragraph 1b)]
Compilation of Waterborne pollution load (PLC Water) (c) (Recommendtion 26/2) [Article13, paragraph (b)]
Conservation of seals in the Baltic Sea Area (Recommendation 17-28/2)
Elimination of PCBs and PCTs (Recommendation 25/1) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Ensuring adequate emergency capacity Recommendation 24/9 [Article 20 paragraph 1b]
Further development and use of Drift Forecasting for Oils and other Harmful Substances in the Baltic [Article 20, paragraph 1b]
Guidelines on bunkering operations and ship to ship cargo transfers of oils, subject to Annex I of MARPOL 73/78, in the Baltic Sea Area [Article 20 Paragraph 1b]
HELCOM Indicator Fact Sheets
Implementation of integrated marine and coastal management of human activities in the Baltic Sea Area (Recommendation 24/10) [Article 20 (1), paragraph (b)]
Industrial connections and point sources other than household connected to municipal sewerage systems
Limitations of emissions into atmosphere and discharges into water from incineration of household waste (Recommendation 27/1) [Article 20, paragraph 1b]
Limitations of emissions to the atmosphere and discharges into water from the glass industry (Recommendation 14/3) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Managing wetlands and freshwater ecosystems for retention of nutrients (Recommendation 18/4) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Marine sediment extraction in the Baltic Sea (Recommendation 19/1) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Measures aimed at reduction of discharges from fresh water and marine fish farming (Recommendation 25/4) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Measures aimed at reduction of mercury pollution resulting from light sources and electrical equipment (Recommendation 23/4) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Measures aimed at the reduction of emissions and discharges from agriculture (Recommendation 24/3) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Measures to abate pollution by oil and other harmful substances in cases of grounding, collision, sinking of a ship or other maratime casualty (Recommendation 17/12) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Monas report for biological data and harmful substances (Recommendation 19/3) [Article 13, paragraph b]
MONAS report for hydrographic and hydrochemical data (Recommendation 19/3) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Monitoring of airborne pollution load (Recommendation 24/1) [Article13, paragraph (b)]
Monitoring of radioactive substances (Recommendation 26/3) [Article13, paragraph (b)]
Nitrogen removal at municipal sewage water treatment plants Recommendation 16/9 [Article 13, paragraph b]
Offshore Activities (Recommendation 18/2) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Proper Handling of waste/landfilling (Recommendation 24/5) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Protection and improvement of the wild salmon populations in the Baltic Sea area (Salmo salar L.) (Recommendation 19/2) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Protection of Harbour Porpoise in the Baltic Sea Area (Recommendation 17/2) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Protection of harbour porpoise in the Baltic Sea Area (Recommendation 17/2)
Protection of heavily endangered or immediately threatened marine and coastal biotopes in the Baltic Sea Area (Recommendation 21/4) [Article 20 (1), paragraph (b)]
Protection of Seals in the Baltic Sea Area (Recommendation 9/1)
Protection of the Coastal Strip (Recommendation 15/1) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Recommendation concerning measures aimed at the reduction of discharges from urban areas by the development of sewerage systems Recommendation 7/3 [Article 13 paragraph b]
Recommendation concerning measures aimed at the reduction of discharges from urban areas by the use of effective methods in wastewater treatment [Article 13 paragraph b]
Reduction of discharges and emissions from production and formulation of pesticides (Recommendation 23/10) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Reduction of discharges and emissions from production of textiles (Recommendation 23/12) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Reduction of discharges from Kraft Pulp industry Recommendation 17/8 [Article 13 paragragh b]
Reduction of discharges from metal surface treatment industry (Recommendation 23/7) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Reduction of discharges from oil refineries (Recommendation 23/8) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Reduction of discharges from the sulphite pulp industry Recommendation 17/9 [Article 13 paragraph b]
Reduction of discharges from Urban areas by the proper management of storm water systems (Recommendation 23/5) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Reduction of emissions and discharges from industry by effective use of BAT (Recommendation 25/2) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Reduction of emissions and discharges from the iron and steel industry (Recommendation 24/4) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Reduction of emissions and discharges from the pulp and paper industry (Recommendations 16/4) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Reduction of emissions and discharges of mercury from chloroalkali industry (Recommendation 23/6) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Reduction of emissions from transport sector affecting the Baltic Sea (Recommendation 17/1) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Reduction of nutrients and other pollutants leaching from forestry land (Recommendation 25/3) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Reduction of pollution from discharges into water, emissions into the atmosphere and phosphogypsum out of the production of fertilisers (Recommendation 17/6) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Reduction of the Discharges from the Kraft Pulp industry Recommendation 17/8 [Article 13 paragraph b]
Report on Information and Consultation with Regard to Constructions of New Installations Affecting the Baltic Sea Recommendation 17/3
Report on Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Tourism in Coastal Zones Recommendation 21/3
Report on the Preservation of Natural Coastal Dynamics Recommendation 16/3
Requirements for discharging wastewater from the chemical industry (Recommendation 23/11) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Restriction of atmospheric emissions and waste water discharges from hard coal cokeries (Recommendation 23/9) [Article 20 paragraph 1 b]
Safety of winter navigation in the Baltic Sea Area Recommendation 25/7 [Article 20 paragragh 1b]
System of Coastal and Marine Baltic Sea Protected Areas (BSPA) (Recommendation 15/5) [Article 13, paragraph b]
Waterborne pollution load compilation (quantified point and non-point sources) (Recommendtion 19/4) [terminated] [Article13, paragraph (b)]

Participating countries/territories

Denmark , Estonia , Finland , Germany , Latvia , Lithuania , Poland , Russian Federation , Sweden

General comments

Involves an evaluation on the need for escort towing services for laden oil and chemical tankers on voyages to and from oil and chemical ports, terminals and off-shore loading places where a failure of propulsion or steering of a tanker is likely to cause a severe pollution incident due to narrow straits, shallow depths, archipelago areas and/or ice conditions during winter period.
Under the new HELCOM reporting strategy there will be more focus on establishing links between driving forces, pressures, state and impacts in the Baltic environment. The intension is to collate all relevant data reported by contracting parties under current European legislative drivers and to request additional data only where it is deemed to be necessary. This will reduce the burden on Contracting Parties and imprive efficiency of overall assessment process.

Legislation for: Assessment of the need for escort towing in tanker transport routes to prevent accidents in the Baltic Sea area (Recommendation 25/5)