The project stresses that 10-15 per cent of the world’s cargo sails on the Baltic Sea. The majority is oil transports from Russia and especially traffic to and from the St Petersburg region. Tanker accidents can be very costly, not the least from an environmental point of view. The recommended actions to minimize risks are route exchange and e-navigation services in general. The EU project, STM BALT SAFE, contributes by updating the electronic navigation systems on tankers and ferries, and by updating the systems for Vessel Traffic Services.
The STM BALT SAFE(R) project involves Russia in the EU project. Today, a national and separate e-navigation project is running in Russia, and the goal is to strengthen the cooperation between the parties. Through this project, Russia will for instance be able to participate in the meetings of the EU project.
One purpose is to match the e-solutions in Russia to the ones in the EU project. The benefits will be mutual for all parties and contribute to improved maritime safety in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. The EU partners will also get a deeper insight into the ongoing Russian project.