BPO supports reception of sewage from passenger ships, however, there are still concerns about deployment process

Feb 11 2015

BPO supports reception of sewage from passenger ships, however, there are still concerns about deployment process

Baltic Ports are preparing for the new regulation regarding the availability of port reception facilities for sewage (PRFs). However, ports are still facing major challenges to overcome when planning and investing in PRFs. The introduction date of new regulation is unclear due to ongoing negotiations amongst Baltic countries.

 

HELCOM published a report on PRFs for cruise ships

 

HELCOM recently published the report on PRFs for cruise ships and their use by international cruise ships in the Baltic Sea area during 2014. Cruise ships operating in the Baltic Sea, their length of sea voyages as well as frequency and duration of port visits are described in details. In addition, port’ visits by cruise ships and sewage facilities are covered in terms of infrastructure and traffic trends.

 

According to the report around 77 different cruise ships owned by 37 operators sailed in the Baltic Sea during the cruising season 2014. Five main destinations - St. Petersburg, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Helsinki and Stockholm – account for 67 % of the cruise ship traffic in terms of calls. In total, cruise ships visited 31 Baltic ports during 2014. Voyages between two ports lasted commonly between 8 and 20 hours at sea, and the cruise ships stayed usually in port between 8-10 hours. The international cruise ship voyages involved in total 6,55 million person days, comparable to year-around habitation of 18 000 people. Moreover, 80 % of the international cruise ship calls were intra-Baltic travels, or calls where both the previous port visited and the current port are in the Baltic Sea. There were 2,252 international cruise ship calls in total.

 

Furthermore, the report shows that one third of cruise ships use PRFs while in ports. There are 33 Baltic ports listed in the report with detailed information on cruise ships movements, what PRFs are available and what is planned concerning PRFs.

 

Bogdan Ołdakowski, BPO Secretary General, commenting the report said: “HELCOM report is a very good source of information about cruise industry, what Baltic ports have done in last 4 years and what they plan in area of port reception facilities for sewage. However, to avoid misunderstanding is worth to remember that the report covers cruise industry only and it excludes port reception facilities for ferries.”

 

The date of mandatory delivery of sewage at ports still unclear

 

Baltic countries still discussing the date of so called notification submission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on PRFs. Such notification should be made at the meeting of IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC), which is scheduled in mid May 2015. The notification is needed in order to enforce the status of the Baltic Sea as a special area in terms of sewage from passenger ships, as agreed at IMO in 2011.

 

Final agreement between Baltic countries is yet to be reached when a submission to the IMO MEPC meeting is to take place, as some countries still wish to clarify uncertainties regarding the quality of sewage, implications for small ferries or deployment process of the reception capacities in specific ports. According to the previous plans the mandatory delivery of sewage from ship at ports should start at 2016 for new ships and two years later for older ships. It is clear now that these dates are to be postponed.

 

BPO supports deployment of PRFs and calls for constructive dialogue with stakeholders 

 

BPO supports the mandatory delivery of sewage from passenger ships as it will lead to cleaner Baltic Sea by reducing discharge of nutrients to the marine environment. Many Baltic ports have already installed adequate facilities and many others are on the process of planning or construction of such facilities. BPO has organized series of seminars and meetings where ports are exchanging their experience and plans when it comes to meeting the future requirements.

 

When planning the PRFs, Baltic ports are looking for effective technology solution for receiving the sewage from passenger ships. However, in many cases port authorities are facing real challenge with finding an effective and economic solution. In some countries, sewage from passenger ships is considered to be an industry waste and thus cannot be discharged directly to the municipal sewage system. In such cases, ports are “pushing” for construction of waste water treatment plants in port territory dedicated to treat the sewage from passenger ships. Such investments are very expensive and for sure are not sustainable.

 

BPO encourages local sewage companies for an open dialogue with ports in order to find a sustainable solution.  During the planning phase for PRFs also national administrations have some role to play in facilitating the open dialogue between ports and other local players. Moreover, legislation framework must be realistic in order to smooth the process of deployment of adequate facilities at ports.
 
Bogdan Ołdakowski, BPO Secretary General said: “Port around the Baltic Sea are preparing for future mandatory reception of sewage from passenger ships. The status of the process differs from port to port. In some ports there are reception facilities already in place. However, some ports are struggling to agree with local sewage companies, which should finally, via ports, collect the wastewaters from ships. There are legal and technological challenges associated with this process. In a worst scenario some of the ports would be forced to build its own treatment plants, which is very difficult to accept due to the very high investment costs”.

 

Mr. Ołdakowski  added: “There is a very good co-operation spirit between Baltic ports when it comes to planning of PRFs deployment. BPO will continue to support all ports in this process by organizing seminars, study visits, etc… Moreover by initiating a multi-ports application for EU funding.”     

More information can be found HERE