BALTIC SEAENVIRONMENT PROCEEDINGS No. 59 - Helcom

4. Conclusions
Taking all in all the work of MC has been quite successful. This
does not only result in several amendments of the relevant Annex
IV of the Helsinki Convention, but also in a great number of
Helcom Recommendations aiming at an effective implementation of
anti-pollution regulations, at supplementary measures and at a
close co-operation in this respect. Joint actions within IMO
have given proof of the Baltic Sea States' capacity to act as a
"pressure groupI'. Noting from the regular national reports that
the MC recommendations have been implemented by the Contracting
Parties it may be stated that maritime shipping is not the big
environmental problem of the Baltic Sea.
In future the work in the maritime field should in particular
concentrate on
the development of further international regulations
to prevent pollution from ships,
the improvement of reception facilities in the Baltic
Sea ports as the cornerstone of maritime protection
measures,
the strengthening of enforcement measures such as port
state control, surveillance at sea, investigation and
prosecution of violations.
The progress and further success of MC depends on the willingness
of the Contracting Parties to make their contributions to
this work. Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are strongly invited
not only to implement the relevant Helcom arrangements but also
to participate with great activity in the MC work.
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