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Interreg makes
a difference!
Explore how people in the Baltic Sea region have been benefitting
from our projects.
#MadeWithInterreg solutions for
Safety at sea
From jointly developed and trained operation procedures, through risk assessment tools to more reliable navigation systems: this is what matters when people’s safety is at stake!
What are we doing?
In shared waters of the Baltic Sea, one can only increase the overall maritime safety if all hands are onboard. Indeed, with roughly 2,000 commercial vessels operating in the Baltic Sea at any given minute, the risk for accidents remains high. Interreg projects have pioneered cooperation in joint response to accidents as well as search and rescue operations at sea. They set up a system for joint planning and training proving that Baltic Sea waters know no borders. Safe and reliable navigation tackled by Interreg projects is another factor, which reduces the potential risks of collisions.
Examples of #MadeWithInterreg solutions:
- formalised cooperation in emergency preparedness and rescue diving in the region
- community of divers in Baltic Sea region trained in joint procedures
- standard operational procedures for search and rescue operations applicable to hazardous and noxious substances incidents
- inventory of human diving resources and competences for search and rescue operations
- action plans for search and rescue missions in an underwater environment
- R-Mode navigation systems tested for the first time in the world
- improved speed and accuracy of ship-shore information and navigation
- risk assessment and risk management tools for maritime authorities
What we’ve achieved so far
To manage high-intensity maritime traffic, reliable navigation, and emergency preparedness are crucial. From 2005-2008, Interreg projects helped develop local and regional contingency plans for shipping accidents and oil spills. In 2009-2012, projects strengthened bilateral and multilateral prevention and response agreements between Baltic Sea region countries. Based on the first overall risk assessment, ministries of environment and maritime administrations evaluated oil spill response capacity and prepared investments to fill the gaps. Seaports conducted oil spill exercises together with contingencies agencies and produced their own oil contingency plans. Maritime administrations started developing e-navigation services, contributing to the global standard within the International Maritime Organisation. The Baltic Sea served as a test bed for e-navigation.
Between 2016 and 2021, projects helped maritime rescue authorities, coast guards, fire and police departments, and NGOs validate available resources, coordinate and standardise response measures across institutions within and between Baltic Sea region countries. Measures covered search and rescue operations in case of incidents by hazardous and noxious substances, responding to oil spills in shallow and coastal waters, diving missions as well as crisis management in seaports. All procedures were tested in multiple joint live exercises. Projects helped develop new digital services onboard and onshore, including the world’s first Ranging-Mode test area for maritime terrestrial navigation. These e-navigation services improve the speed and accuracy of ship-shore information exchange and allow a safe and more accurate positioning.
Ongoing projects
The ongoing projects continue enhancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability of maritime navigation across the Baltic Sea region. In practice, they help harmonise existing navigational data and invest into developing alternative navigation systems. Increased reliability and precision of navigational data ultimately contributes to safer and more efficient sea traffic management. Moreover, the projects help maritime authorities mitigate potential risks at sea and prepare suitable response strategies by providing them with advanced risk assessment tools and advanced digitalised services.
Supporting the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
Our projects play a vital role in achieving the ambitious goals of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) to save the Baltic Sea and connect the region. In collaboration with the coordinators of the EUSBSR policy areas Safe and Ship, our projects advance the Baltic Sea region toward becoming a model for sustainable shipping. Our projects develop cutting-edge services and products for safe and accurate navigation and equip maritime administrations and rescue professionals with new tools to coordinate response measures more efficiently.
Explore project solutions in more detail:
Results stay with the people: listen to our #InterregVoices:
©Sven Tupits
The project ChemSAR proves how the Programme can influence national procedures. The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board confirmed that several national internal procedures and regulations have been changed thanks to the agreements made during the project. In my view, it was one of the best result-oriented projects we have had.
Margarita Golovko
Monitoring Committee member, Estonia
