Cooperation of Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Maritime Administrations
Every year maritime administrations of three Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – arrange annual meetings of their representatives. Such meetings became traditional as they provide an unique possibility for maritime experts from three Baltic States to share experience and discuss on various issues related to maritime safety. Issues related to the new initiatives of the European Union in the field of maritime safety, prevention of pollution from ships, as well as seafarers’ certification, port state control and flag state compliance, hydrographic facilities, ship and port security, problems related to the implementation of new international and European Union requirements are always on the agenda of the such meetings. Decisions taken during such meetings act as catalyst for the improvement of maritime safety in the region.
Cooperation in Pursuance of Maritime Safety Projects
From the year 2001 to 2003 in cooperation with Swedish and Finish maritime administrations has been exercised PHARE twinning project „Implementation of the Acquis in the Maritime Safety sector - development of a Port Information System”. The main objective of the Twinning Maritime Safety Project was to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania and particularly of the recently established Lithuanian Maritime Safety Administration in Klaipeda to meet the requirements of EU in the field of Maritime Safety. During nearly two years training on International Safety Management Code, maritime search and rescue, oil pollution response as well as implementation of electronic Ship Reporting System for registration of passengers and dangerous goods has been conducted in Lithuania.
In 2003 the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Maritime Safety Administration and the Lithuanian Ship Owner’s Association participated in joint project ”Development and implementation of a new shipping policy in Lithuania. This project was based on the agreement between Flanders government and the Republic of Lithuania. External consultant Policy Research Corporation N. V.” performed the study and Flanders government defrayed major part of its cost. The study examined possibilities for implementation of an integrated framework policy for the Lithuanian shipping sector in line with the EU state aid guidelines on maritime transport and which would be based on solid economic research. An important focus of the project was the transfer of knowledge to the Ministry of Transport of Lithuania and to the Maritime Administration.
From June to November of 2003, European Institute, operating in Denmark, together with the Lithuanian Maritime Safety Administration, Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania and Danish Maritime Administration implemented project „Strengthening Maritime Safety in Lithuania”. This project targeted the competence building of national specialists as well as assistance in capacity building in implementation of European Union legislation, performance of port state and flag state control activities, as well as hydrographical surveys.
In 2007 the Lithuanian Maritime Safety Administration jointly with Swedish Maritime Administration have successfully implemented Twinning light Project „Strengthening of administrative capacity of the Lithuanian Maritime Safety Administration in Application of European Union Maritime Safety Legislation". During this project exchange of experts and introduction of EU best practices in order to ensure efficient and effective Port State Control (PSC) were organized. In November 2007 a number of inspectors commenced on-the job training at the Swedish Maritime Safety Inspectorate’s offices in Stockholm, Göteborg and Malmö.
Last update: 2008-09-11
International Relations Division
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