Oil disaster the greatest threat to the Gulf of Finland
The greatest threat to the Gulf of Finland is a large-scale oil catastrophe. The oil would quickly reach shores in the archipelago of the Gulf of Finland and cause severe environmental damage in the area. The coldness of the water would slow down the disintegration of the oil, and the archipelago itself and any ice would further complicate any countermeasures to the oil spill.
Apart from Russian territorial waters, the entire Baltic Sea has been given PSSA status (Particularly Sensitive Sea Area) by the IMO (International Maritime Organization). Consequently, some of the guidelines concerning navigation are stricter than normal. In spite of this, the risk of an oil disaster in the Gulf of Finland remains very real.
Traffic in the Gulf of Finland has been increasing for years, and it is in fact one of the most traffic-laden sea areas in the world. In the summer, over 500 merchant vessels travel there every day; of this number, 20 were tankers in 2009. By 2013, it is estimated that the number will increase to 25 tankers per day. The amount of oil in transit is also increasing constantly: in 2009, about 150 million tonnes of oil were carried in the Gulf of Finland, and the amount is expected to increase to 200 million tonnes by 2015.
“When it comes to environment, we Finns together with the neighbouring countries feel and share a special concern and a strong sense of responsibility about the future of the Baltic Sea. For my own part, I will do my very best to progress international co-operation to protect the Baltic Sea.”
