17 Jun 2007 - Stockholm,
Sweden – Thirteen shipping companies operating
in the Baltic Sea have pledged to stop the
disposal of untreated wastewater at sea.
The pledge follows the success of a recent
WWF campaign urging more than 50 passenger
and ferry companies in the Baltic Sea to
voluntarily dispose their wastewater at
onshore facilities or to treat them properly
on board.
“We hope that the leadership of the companies
that have committed to the wastewater discharge
ban will inspire other companies to do the
same,” said Dr Sampsa Vilhunen, Head of
WWF-Finland’s Marine Programme.
While encouraged by the results of the
campaign, a new WWF survey reveals that
most shipping companies operating in the
Baltic Sea continue the polluting practice
of wasterwater dumping.
It is estimated that about 1.6 billion
litres of “grey water” (from toilets, showers
and onboard cleaning) are produced by the
ships each year, with a considerable amount
discharged into the sea annually — this
contributes to large-scale toxic algal blooms
and a reduction of water quality. Waste
from ships also carries bacteria, viruses
and other pathogens, as well as detergents
and heavy metals.
“We are dismayed that up to now so few
companies seem to recognize the importance
of safeguarding the Baltic Sea,” Dr Vilhunen
added.
“Knowing how sensitive the Baltic is there
is simply no excuse for allowing the continued
untreated discharge of wastewater directly
into the sea.”
WWF is urging shipping companies to invest
in technical systems which could efficiently
remove nutrients from grey water onboard,
and to use phosphate-free detergents aboard
ships, which would dramatically reduce the
amount of phosphorus in their waste waters
— a major contributor of algae blooms.
At the same time, WWF is encouraging people
travelling by cruise or ferry in the Baltic
Sea this summer to make an effort to travel
with companies who have taken the pledge
not to pollute the Baltic Sea. International
cruise and ferry companies that are based
outside the Baltic Sea region — but frequently
visit Baltic Sea ports during the summer
season — should also make the pledge.
Those who have booked travel on a cruise
or ferry company which is not on WWF’s list
are encouraged to contact the company and
ask them to change their policy.
END NOTES:
• The 13 shipping companies that have committed
to the wastewater discharge ban include:
Birka Line (Finland); Bornholmstrafiken
(Denmark); Eckerö Line (Finland); Hurtigruten
(Germany); Lindaliini (Estonia); Molslinien
(Denmark); Nordic Jetline Finland (Finland);
Peter Deilmann Reederei (Germany); Rederi
AB Gotland and Destination Gotland (Sweden);
Seawind Line (Finland); Silja Line (Finland);
Tallink (Estonia); and Viking Line ABP (Finland).
• WWF’s Baltic Programme works to decrease
the amount of nutrients entering the Baltic
by promoting best practices for sustainable
agriculture, the reduction of harmful EU
subsidies and the restoration of wetlands.
Dr. Sampsa Vilhunen, Head, Marine Program
WWF-Finland
