Some German aspects on the transport of oil and oil products in the Baltic Sea and possible consequences in the case of casualties

Abstract

The Baltic Sea is a highly sensitive marginal sea with only a narrow entrance and subsea glacial barriers which prohibit regular exchange of oxygen-rich seawater with the Atlantic. A number of larger rivers discharge their waters into this basin, transporting and depositing the residues of industrialised and agricultural developed regions. Nine riparian countries utilise the mostly sandy coastlines and the sea as living areas, tourist centres and as fishing grounds, which make a considerable contribution to the GNP of those states. Sea traffic has played a dominating role ever since in this region and most of the foreign im- and export goes that way, including the transport of hazardous goods, especially oil and oil products. There exist corridors for the safe navigation across the Baltic Sea which are crossed by a relatively high number of ferry lines between these countries. Since 1980 approximately one accident has occurred per year with a discharge of more than 100 t oil. In the case of such casualties even smaller oil slicks will reach one of the many coastlines, causing ecological and economical damage. Some relevant prevention and countermeasures have been and are discussed in the frame of the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), where all riparian countries are represented, resulting in a number of recommendations. There remain open questions, however, connected to the safe transport of oil and oil products, to the environmental consequences in the case of casualties and to the control of oil spills. This paper will address some of these problems from the German point of view, based on recent German developments and the results of German research programs.