Maritime environmental protection

The Baltic Sea has traffic volumes that are among the highest worldwide and the risk of a major vessel oil or chemical accident is constantly present. In case of an accident, the damage caused to the vulnerable ecosystems, the residents of the coastal areas and the business and trade within the Baltic Sea region would be disastrous with long-term consequences. Near miss situations that have occurred in the Baltic Sea have demonstrated the critical need for sufficient capabilities in terms of the prevention of environmental damage.

In addition to oil, a range of hazardous chemicals are transported over the Baltic Sea and it is crucial to prepare for the related risks also in ice conditions. Along with the growing volume of maritime traffic, the spectrum of risks also becomes broader. 

Environmental damage prevention

Since spring 2022, the Finnish Border Guard has closely monitored any changes in the maritime traffic within the Gulf of Finland as a result of the sanctions against Russia due to the war in Ukraine. An example of such changes is the fact that Russian oil is being transported with older vessels than before, which has increased the risk of accidents leading to environmental damage within the northern Baltic Sea. During winter 2023–2024, the ice conditions were harder than in recent years, which highlighted the importance of the tanker vessels’ capability to navigate in ice. Ice conditions increase the risks, especially in terms of older tankers and crews that are not accustomed to winter navigation.

The value of the Finnish Border Guard’s readiness for the prevention of environmental damages increased clearly from the year 2022, which is due to the rise in the volume of exercises related to the prevention of environmental damages. In 2023, there were more cases of oil spills from vessels than in 2022. The Finnish Border Guard was informed of 23 oil spills in Finnish waters. The observed spills occurred mostly in the vicinity of ports or the coastline and were minimal in volume.

The MERT (Marine Environment Response Tool) information system to support the operational command in the prevention of environmental damage was completed. The MERT system is an integral part of the command and exercise activities related to environmental damages. The system is also applied by other authorities and the Finnish Border Guard’s collaborative partners, such as the emergency and rescue services in the coastal regions and other actors under environmental governance.

In 2023, the Finnish Border Guard finalised the specifications of performance requirements for operations related to accidents at sea involving dangerous and harmful substances. The requirements take into account both maritime SAR operations and the prevention of environmental damage.

Underwater expertise

The Finnish Border Guard maintains continual readiness for underwater operations in order to manage tasks related to border security, maritime search and rescue, as well as the prevention of maritime environmental damage. In addition, the Finnish Border Guard’s capabilities for underwater operations can be used in connection with other authorities’ tasks in accordance with collaboration agreements and mutual assistance legislation. Divers are also employed in diving tasks that serve the activities of the Finnish Border Guard.

In 2023, the Finnish Border Guard’s underwater capacity (offshore patrol vessels, technical equipment, divers) was used, for example, to locate and investigate the leak in the undersea Balticconnector gas pipeline, in ensuring safety and security during state visits and in safeguarding the operational functioning of the Finnish Border Guard’s fleet. Moreover, the Finnish Border Guard supported other authorities, such as the Police in investigations related to underwater locations and the Finnish Environment Institute SYKE in the examination of environmentally hazardous wrecks.