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Aerial surveillance reduces illegal discharges in the Baltic Sea

​HELCOM's international aerial surveillance operation over the Northern Baltic Sea ended on September 10, 2014, despite thick fog at night time, 27 hours after the start. This year's Coordinated Extended Pollution Control Operation (CEPCO North) was organized by the Estonian Police and Border Guard and no oil spills or other discharges from ships were detected. "The operation involved four specially equipped aircraft from four countries - Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Sweden. More support was provided by three participating vessels as well as through satellite surveillance from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). The weather conditions had a major effect to the operation due to unpredictable fog, but nevertheless the overall cooperation went smoothly", says Priit Pajusaar, CEPCO North 2014 coordinator and Police Captain from Estonian Police and Border Guard Board. Such high-intensity operations supplement the regular aerial control operations in the region which aim at creating a realistic picture of the level of compliance to the anti-pollution regulations in the Baltic area. The purpose is also to gather evidence of infringements and, if possible, to catch polluters red handed. "Pollution surveillance has a substantial preventive effect on the illegal oil discharges. All HELCOM states should ensure sufficient support and funds ...

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How CleanSeaNet deters marine pollution

EMSA operates CleanSeaNet, a satellite-based oil spill surveillance and vessel detection service. The service is available to all EU Member States, EFTA/EEA Member States and acceding and candidate countries. Territorial waters of coastal Member States, and overseas countries and territories may also be monitored. The CleanSeaNet service analyses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images from Earth Observation satellites to detect possible oil spills on the sea surface. When a spill is detected, a pollution alert is sent to national authorities. The alerts are available within 30 minutes of the satellite acquiring the image. The national authority then decides how to respond to the alert from CleanSeaNet. A patrol aircraft or vessel may be sent to survey the area and verify the oil spill detection. The vessels detected by satellite in the vicinity of the oil spill may be correlated with vessel traffic reports to increase the likelihood of identifying the probable source of the spill. CleanSeaNet can also provide access to some additional services including very high resolution optical satellite images, wind speed and direction at the time and place of the image acquisition, as well as meteorological and oceanographic data. Catching polluters Ships may produce oily waste from leaks and ...

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EMSA launches TRACECA II programme

On 16 June EMSA began a two-year project on maritime safety, security and marine environmental protection for the TRACECA coastal states, at the request of the European Commission's development and cooperation directorate-general. This ambitious programme aims to support political and economic development in the Black Sea Region, Caucasus and Central Asia as well as to facilitate integration into the international economy through improved trade and transport. The project was originally launched in 1993 and is financed through the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument. EMSA's assistance will contribute towards raising the level of maritime safety and marine pollution prevention, preparedness and response standards in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. The beneficiary countries will receive technical assistance on specific topics in the area of Flag State Implementation, PSC and environmental protection. Additionally, the beneficiary countries will have access to certain operational tools, such as the CleanSeaNet service and the network of stand-by oil spill recovery vessels. Source: EMSAIn the beginning, I was outspoken with you propecia before and after has changed my life. It has become much more fun, and now I have to run. Just as it is fabulous to sit.

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Dorian probes green energy logistics

Dorian LPG announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU"), with HNA Logistics Group Co. (HNA Logistics) to explore opportunities in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) logistics market. John Hadjipateras, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, "We are very pleased to form a strategic relationship with HNA Logistics. Their unique presence in the Chinese market creates opportunities to develop energy related transportation, finance, infrastructure and distribution. We will focus our efforts in this important market to forge relationships with Chinese LPG ship charterers and LPG end users." "The MOU with Dorian LPG presents a significant opportunity for our company to collaborate with a leader in the LPG industry." Director and Vice President of HNA Logistics, Mr. Ximen "Steve" Chen, commented, "We will jointly engage in the development of green energy logistics which includes LPG vessel investment, gas supply chain solutions and infrastructure in the Chinese market, with the ultimate goal of together building an LPG distribution business in China to take advantage of the significant opportunities for growth in the global LPG industry." Separately, Dorian LPG announced that it has taken delivery of the eco VLGC "Comet" from Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd in Ulsan, South ...

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Updated BWTS list accepted by the USCG

The U.S. Coast Guard has updated the list of the Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS) accepted for use in US water as Alternate Management Systems (AMS) on July 23rd, 2014 The ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) listed in the table below have been accepted for use in U.S. waters as Alternate Management Systems (AMS). Use of a BWTS as an AMS is subject to the general and specific conditions and requirements listed in the AMS acceptance letter issued to the system's manufacturer.   (Click image below to enlarge) In the outbreak, I was open with you propecia before and after has changed my existence. It has become much more fun, and now I have to run. Just as it is improbable to sit.

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Updated BWTS list accepted by the USCG

Last Update on 23 July 2014 The U.S. Coast Guard has updated the list of the Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS) accepted for use in US water as Alternate Management Systems (AMS) on July 23rd, 2014The ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) listed in the table below have been accepted for use in U.S. waters as Alternate Management Systems (AMS). Use of a BWTS as an AMS is subject to the general and specific conditions and requirements listed in the AMS acceptance letter issued to the system's manufacturer.(Click image below to enlarge)

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Methods for spotting alien species in Baltic ports

HELCOM has released a report on alien species transported via ships' ballast water that threaten the sensitive Baltic ecosystem and may also have negative impacts to the economy and human health. The report is the final outcome of HELCOM ALIENS 3 project (2012-2013) which further tested and proposed improvements to the joint HELCOM-OSPAR sampling protocol, specifying methods and means for spotting marine alien species in ports. The project has also updated the related online port survey database and risk assessment tool, shared with the North-East Atlantic marine environment protection commission OSPAR, which went live last week. The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM convention) specifies a number of measures in order to prevent, minimize and ultimately eliminate the transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens through the control and management of ships‘ Ballast Water and Sediments. However, under certain low risk conditions, the BWM convention Regulation A-4 enables a party to grant exemptions to any requirements to apply ballast water management for ships (regulation B-3) or additional measures (regulation C-1). Whether or not a specific case can be defined as falling under such low risk conditions requires a risk assessment. The overall ...

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Methods for spotting alien species in Baltic ports

HELCOM issues report on alien species transported via ships HELCOM has released a report on alien species transported via ships' ballast water that threaten the sensitive Baltic ecosystem and may also have negative impacts to the economy and human health.The report is the final outcome of HELCOM ALIENS 3 project (2012-2013) which further tested and proposed improvements to the joint HELCOM-OSPAR sampling protocol, specifying methods and means for spotting marine alien species in ports. The project has also updated the related online port survey database and risk assessment tool, shared with the North-East Atlantic marine environment protection commission OSPAR, which went live last week.The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM convention) specifies a number of measures in order to prevent, minimize and ultimately eliminate the transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens through the control and management of ships Ballast Water and Sediments.However, under certain low risk conditions, the BWM convention Regulation A-4 enables a party to grant exemptions to any requirements to apply ballast water management for ships (regulation B-3) or additional measures (regulation C-1). Whether or not a specific case can be defined as falling under such low risk conditions ...

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Online ballast water management tool goes live

An online risk assessment tool for alien species transfers via the ballast water of commercial ships has been released jointly by OSPAR and HELCOM. The online tool was adopted by the coastal countries of the North-East Atlantic and Baltic Sea regions as part of the joint harmonised procedure on granting exemptions from ballast water treatment provisions of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The tool comprises a database on observations of alien species and physical features in ports, a list of target alien species, a list of all marine and alien species observed in port surveys in the region and an agreed risk assessment model. This will allow administrations and ship owners to quickly identify routes that may qualify for exemptions to the application of ballast water management for ships (regulation B-3) and those that are unlikely to. Not only will the tool help protect the environment by identifying routes that could present a high risk for the transfer of alien species, it will ultimately save both the shipping industry and maritime authorities time and money by supporting the decision making process. The online ...

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