Oil Spills and the Baltic Environment Olof Linden

Oil Spills and the Baltic Environment Olof Linden World Maritime University (former Chair CCB) 3/3/2021 May 2004 1

Content n n 3/3/2021 Oil Spills Globally - trends Oil Spills in the Baltic The fate of the oil Environmental impacts May 2004 2

The Issues n n n 3/3/2021 What makes the Baltic different? What environmental impacts can we expect? What will the clean-up of a spill cost? May 2004 3

Baltic Spills n n n 3/3/2021 Antonio Gramski Tsesis José Marti Sefir Volgoneft Fu Shang Hai May 2004 4

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Risk for spills increase n n n 3/3/2021 2000 ships at all times Doubling of annual cargo transport by 2017 Soon doubling of oil transport compared to 1995 May 2004 7

Baltic characteristics n n n 3/3/2021 Low temperature Limited water exchange Extensive archipelagos May 2004 8

Figure 15: Fate of oil spilled at sea showing the eight main processes that cause oil to weather (ITOPF, 2002). 3/3/2021 May 2004 9

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Fate of spilt oil in the Baltic n n n 3/3/2021 Weathering is slow Degradation minimal Emulsification limited May 2004 13

The result n n 3/3/2021 More oil on the surface of the sea More oil on the shores More damage to seabirds/waders Less damage to sub-surface life May 2004 14

A spill in the Baltic: n n 3/3/2021 May threaten endangered species (guillemot, razorbill, long-tailed duck, greater scaups, smew) and ecosystems (e. g. saltmarshes with waders) May contaminate large distances of shoreline (hundreds of km) May cause long-term contamination (several years) May affect the ecosystem over extended periods (several years) May 2004 15

What This Means n n n 3/3/2021 The Baltic is particularly sensitive to oil spills Spills here cause more damage to shorelines, animals and ecosystem Spilt oil will remain a threat for longer periods time May 2004 16

A spill of 25, 000 tons n n n 3/3/2021 Will affect several thousand km of shoreline Will affect several thousand seabirds Will cause impact on the littoral ecosystem May 2004 n n n Will affect toursim Will affect fisheries Will affect quality of life Infrastructues Employment 17

A spill of 25, 000 tons n n 3/3/2021 15 vessels 100, 000 E/day Air surveillance 800 E/day Equipment, booms Total 10 million E May 2004 n n 80, 000 man-days for shore clean-up = 25 million E Waste handeling 150, 000 ton = 10 million E 18

Total Cost n n n n 3/3/2021 Tourism Fishing Jobs Property values Quality of life Accidents Cost for the state May 2004 160 milj E 17 milj E + 50 milj E 19

Action n n 3/3/2021 Minimize risks for spills by separating traffic, monitoring vessels, ensure highest standard of ships and manpower (EU Directive and IMO PSSA) Identify and develop “Places of Refuge” (EU Directive and IMO Guidelines) May 2004 20