Oil spills under control on the Baltic Sea
Lamor Lamor focuses on oil spill prevention in the vulnerable Baltic Sea region.The Sales Director of Lamor Juha Muhonen considers the constant increase in the level of marine traffic and oil shipping as the biggest risks for the Baltic Sea. An additional risk is inter-time, when the sea becomes crowded with ships with crews that aren’t necessarily sufficiently experienced in winter shipping.
Minor oil spills happen all the time. According to the statistics of the Finnish Environment Institute SYKE in 2009 a total of 68 oil spills were recorded on the Baltic Sea.
– We will probably never be able to eliminate all the spills. But they are monitored constantly, and their supervision has been increased. Fortunately significant oil spills have not happened in a couple of years now, says Muhonen.
But the risk is always there.
– Oil spills resulting from collisions are a major risk. With marine traffic increasing beyond all predictions it is only a matter of time when a significant oil spill on the Baltic Sea becomes reality.
Collaborating internationally
According to Muhonen Finland is reasonably well prepared for oil spills on the open sea, but there are still shortcomings in the coastal regions, which means that in the coming years some major investments must be made. Lamor works actively in improving oil spill prevention readiness also internationally, together with the Baltic States and the European Union.
The EU, international oil companies, ship owners, financial institutions and local authorities have received the concept of Lamor Environmental Action Center with enthusiasm. The company is in the process of establishing oil spill prevention centers in Denmark, Portugal, Oman, Russia and the Near East.
The European Maritime Safety Agency established by the EU considers Lamor’s concept as a functional, progressive and cost-efficient solution in European marine regions.
– We collaborate closely with local authorities in promoting and increasing the readiness for oil spill prevention. As an expert organization we supply both, equipment and our knowhow, Muhonen tells.
– Our cooperation with EMSA has been on-going for years and it will continue on. EMSA is a strong extra resource in the oil spill prevention work on the Baltic Sea. It supports national preparedness and offers also EU-level readiness, which is not limited to authorities.
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