Ways of improving competitiveness in the maritime sector was the main focus of the fifth session of the BSPC Working Group on Integrated Maritime Policy, held in the Parliament of Sweden, Stockholm, on 24th March 2011.
Expert presentations were given by Dr Gernot Tesch, Scandlines, and Dr Martin Kruse, Northern German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (Economic impact of the classification of the Baltic Sea as a sulphur emission control area (SECA)), by Mr Måns Jacobsson, former Director of IOPC funds (Oil spill liability and the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds), by Mr Bernt Stedt, Chairman of HELCOM Response Group (Response capacities to combat oil spills), by Ms Riita Pöntynen, Shortsea Promotion Centre Finland (Measures to improve co-modality), by Mr Pierre Schellekens, European Commission (EC communication on Maritime Spatial Planning), and by Mr Sten Jerdenius, VASAB (Baltic sea cooperation on maritime spatial planning). The meeting was also attended by Mr Lars Almklov, Chairman of CBSS Expert Group on Maritime Policy.
The next and final meeting of the WG will take place in Schwerin on 20th June. On that occassion, the WG will finalize its political recommendations.