Number of ship accidents in the Baltic doubles

Helsinki, 9 February (HELCOM) – The number of ship accidents has almost doubled in the Baltic Sea marine area since 2003, according to a new study by the Helsinki Commission. Analysis of the data contained in the latest annual reports provided by the Baltic Sea countries to HELCOM reveals that there were 121 accidents in 2004, compared to 71 in 2003, 63 in 2002, 57 in 2001, and 62 in 2000.

The Commissions study shows that grounding (41%), collision (27%) and machinery damage (11%) were the most common types of accidents observed in 2004. And cargo vessels (38%), ferries (15%), tankers (13%), container ships (10%) and bulk carriers (10%) were the main groups of vessels involved in accidents. The main reason for accidents was human factor (39%), followed by technical failure (20%).

"Shipping safety in 2004 took a step backwards in terms of the number of accidents,” said HELCOM Executive Secretary, Ms Anne Christine Brusendorff. “The dramatic increase in the number of accidents is obviously a result of a steadily growing maritime traffic, especially oil transportation. We hope that the new HELCOM ship traffic monitoring system (AIS), which was launched in July 2005 to improve safety of navigation in the Baltic Sea, will help change the situation for the better,” she said.

According to the HELCOM AIS system, during a three month period in July-September 2005 around 13,500 ships passed the Skaw at the northernmost tip of Denmark on their way into or out of the Baltic. Approximately 60-70% of these ships were cargo vessels and 17-25% were tankers. About 14,000 vessels passed the Swedish island of Gotland and around 10,000 entered or left the Gulf of Finland. There are about 1,800 ships in the Baltic marine area at any given moment. Although growing traffic is a sign of intensified co-operation in the Baltic Sea region and a prospering economy, it also means that ship accidents causing marine pollution have become more probable. 

Fortunately, most of the accidents in the Baltic do not cause notable pollution, but even one large-scale accident would seriously threaten the marine environment. In 2000-2004, an average of 8-9% of accidents resulted in some kind of pollution. Two of the five most serious accidents in the Baltic marine area have occurred since 2001 – “Baltic Carrier” in 2001 (2,700 tonnes of oil spilt); and “Fu Shan Hai” in 2003 (1,200 tonnes of oil spilt).

The full report on ship accidents for 2004 will be published shortly on the Commissions web site at http://www.helcom.fi/shipping/accidents/en_GB/accidents/ .

Follow-up:

HELCOM statistics on ship accidents (1989-2003)

http://www.helcom.fi/shipping/accidents/en_GB/accidents/

HELCOM press release on the launch of the AIS system

http://www.helcom.fi/press_office/news_helcom/en_GB/AISlaunch07012005/

HELCOM Conference  on  maritime safety in the Baltic Sea, March 2005 (HELCOM newsletter, issue 2/2005)

http://helcom.navigo.fi/stc/files/Publications/Newsletters/newsletter_02_2005.pdf

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Tadas Navickas
Professional Secretary
Tel: +358 9 62202242
Fax: +358 9 62202239

E-mail:  tadas.navickas@helcom.fi

Mr. Nikolay Vlasov
Information Secretary
Tel: +358 9 62202235
Fax: +358 9 6220 2239

E-mail: nikolay.vlasov@helcom.fi