OREANDA-NEWS. May 4, 2009. In 2007 European Regional Champion Awards considered Baltic Master as best European maritime project. The success of the first edition of this project resulted in its continuation - Baltic Master II, in which Port of Gdynia Authority S.A. also participates.

The Baltic Sea region is an area that stands out in terms of social, political and economic stability. Such fine conditions cause the need of using the sea to economic purposes to increase. However, it's important to remember that Baltic Sea, being the waters almost completely closed is very vulnerable to all human interference.

One of project's main assumptions is to present both local and regional perspectives and views on the case of maritime safety. Topic range of the project includes measures related to improvement of prevention and readiness in case of marine incidents.

In further stage of the project the sea safety will also be considered in wider perspective including such topics as regional development and spacial planning. In this matter a special attention will be paid to the occurence of risks associated with conflicts of interests between coastal countries caused by increased use of sea and coastal areas.

Port of Gdynia Authority S.A. (with main involvement of Environmental Protection Department) will be actively participating in two working groups of the project: "WP 3 - Improved on land response capacity to oil spills" and "WP 4 - Enhanced prevention of pollution from maritime transport" Port of Gdynia Authority S.A. is going to be a leading port in the matter of preparations to implementing the International Convention of control and dealing with ships' ballast waters and sediments (BWM Convention).