Minister Ranne: Making sustained effort to improve security in Baltic Sea

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom has completed the Port State Control (PSC) inspection of the Eagle S and detained the ship.

Traficom inspectors found 32 deficiencies in the Eagle S. Three of the deficiencies were so serious that they led to the ship being detained. These deficiencies affected the ship's fire safety, navigational equipment and pump room ventilation. The ship may not be operated before the serious deficiencies have been rectified.

"The administrative branch of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, in cooperation with other authorities and coastal states, is making a sustained effort to improve security in the Baltic Sea. The PSC inspection, which Traficom carried out, is a concrete example of this: if we notice problems, we will address them,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.

The PSC inspection ensures that ships comply with the requirements of the relevant international conventions. Traficom PSC Officers inspected the technical state, environmental aspects, certificates and documentation of the ship and the conditions of the crew on board. The inspection also included drills to ensure the correct operation of the crew and equipment. Before the ship can continue its voyage, Traficom must inspect it again to ensure that the deficiencies which led to its detention have been rectified.

Finland plays an active role globally to improve maritime safety

Since 11 December 2024, Finland has requested insurance information from tankers sailing in the Baltic Sea. All tankers transporting crude oil and petroleum products from Russia are requested to provide details of their insurance in Finland's exclusive economic zone.

Finland advocates maritime safety in several forums, such as the EU, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

"Finland is actively involved in international efforts to improve security in the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea is central for Finland's security of supply, and by working together we can ensure that it remains safe for shipping,” Minister Ranne says.

During the past year, Finland has brought to EMSA's attention issues affecting European preparedness to respond to oil spills in the Baltic Sea. Finland wants EMSA to open a call for tenders for a standby oil spill response vessel chartered with European funds and stationed in the northern part of the Baltic Sea. 

Finland signed a joint statement on the so-called shadow fleet on 16 December 2024. In addition to Finland, the statement was signed by Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The Government has also taken steps to renew Finland's ageing icebreaker fleet. The Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy supported the acquisition of a new icebreaker on 16 December 2024. This will be the first step in renewing the ageing fleet. A long-term renewal plan is expected to be published in 2025.

Inquiries:

Requests to interview Minister Lulu Ranne:

Tuomas Sorsa, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 012, [email protected]

insurance certificates:

Tiina Ranne, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 036, [email protected] 

EMSA oil spill response capacity:

Eero Hokkanen, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 021, [email protected] 

icebreaker acquisitions:

Matleena Kurki-Suutarinen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 043, [email protected]