COMPLETE & COMPLETE PLUS

Completing management options in the Baltic Sea Region to reduce risk of invasive species introduction by shipping
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Invasive alien species (IAS) pose a grave threat to the biodiversity of ecosystems, potentially causing both ecological and financial damage. Given that invasive alien species are primarily transported between maritime regions by global shipping traffic, the growth in cargo transport and tourism has resulted in an increased risk of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogen spreading. The maritime traffic sector must thus do more to prevent the spread of introduced species.

Implementing the Ballast Water Management Convention in the Baltic Sea Region requires more accurate data

The International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC), which entered into force in 2017, constitutes a significant step towards better invasive alien species management also in the Baltic Sea. The member states of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) have agreed on common rules, including as regards the exemptions contained in the Convention. However, the selection of so-called target species as well as species mapping and identification in ports requires expertise, and the spread of a species into new regions due to human activities is likely to be both irreversible and unpredictable. The derogations and waivers allowed for by the Convention necessitate more rigorous definitions for target  species as well as updated risk assessments.

Stowaways on ship hulls

In addition to ballast water, invasive alien species may also hitch a ride on ships’ hulls. Such fouling species can be combatted by cleaning the bottoms of ships or using anti-fouling agents.

The control of fouling species is currently carried out on a voluntary basis, with the substantial fuel savings enabled by cleaning the bottoms of vessels constituting a powerful incentive. Cleaning processes may, however, release harmful substances such as copper, or introduced species into the water. What is more, the regulations and practices governing in-water cleaning vary across the Baltic Sea Region, thus increasing the risk of introduced species spreading into the port where the cleaning takes place.

Risk assessments regarding fouling species are currently insufficient, and more information is required e.g. on the number of species, cleaning methods suitable for Baltic Sea conditions, anti-fouling systems, the cost-effectiveness of different methods, the quantities and processing of generated waste, and the role of small vessels and trailers as possible carriers of invasive alien species.

Wide-ranging cooperation on introduced species among Baltic Sea Region countries

The number of introduced species is also an indicator of the state of the sea in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). In order to implement assessment and monitoring activities, practices must be harmonised and data resources shared. Increasing the availability of data and implementing an early-warning system (EWS) for introduced species in the Baltic Sea helps control introduced species and allows for timely action in their prevention.

EUSBSR flagship project COMPLETE (Completing management options in the Baltic Sea Region to reduce risk of invasive species introduction by shipping) aims to improve introduced species control in the Baltic Sea region, in response to the above challenges. The project provides fertile ground for international cooperation, as its developers and partners represent all Baltic Sea countries. Improved methods of combatting and controlling invasive alien species can only be developed by cooperating and harmonising practices across the entire Baltic Sea Region.

Project funding

Funding is provided by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme, and its total budget is 3.23 million euros.

Read more: Complete official homepage and twitter feed.

Extension stage project COMPLETE PLUS

COMPLETE project is followed by an extension stage project COMPLETE PLUS “Practical implementation of the COMPLETE project outputs and tools”, receiving co-financing from the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme. The project started in April 2021 and will end in December 2021, and is implemented by 11 COMPLETE project partners.

The project aims to ensure that COMPLETE project outputs will be operationalized to ensure their sustainable use by all relevant actors and stakeholders. Further information about the COMPLETE PLUS will be shared at the COMPLETE web page in due time.

Project partners

 

 

 

 

Main photo: Sergej Olenin, Klaipeda University

New publication on management of harmful organisms in the Baltic Sea

A new research article based on the work carried out within the now concluded COMPLETE and COMPLETE PLUS project entity has been published in the scientific journal Marine Policy. The article, titled “Early warning system on harmful aquatic organisms at a regional sea scale: Components and mechanisms“, presents the design and implementation process of an early warning system developed during the projects and implemented in the Baltic Sea since 2022. The knowledge and insights gathered during the development work are expected to be beneficial in other sea areas as well.

The issue of non-indigenous species (NIS) is a significant global concern in the context of shipping. Part of the species transported to new locations via ships’ ballast waters and biofouling can threaten biodiversity, disrupt ecosystems, and lead to considerable economic losses. The Baltic Sea, due to its brackish water, naturally low biodiversity, and lively ship traffic, is particularly vulnerable to NIS introductions. Therefore, effectively preventing the introductions and spreading of such harmful organisms in the Baltic Sea is critical.

Led by the Kotka Maritime Research Centre, the COMPLETE project entity was highly impactful, producing numerous scientific publications, policy recommendations, and practical tools for stakeholders for improving ballast water and biofouling management in the Baltic Sea region. The results have contributed to international efforts, influencing work under both HELCOM (the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The project’s recommendations are helping to shape policies aimed at preventing the spread of invasive species through biofouling and ballast water management.

Text: Annukka Lehikoinen

Doctoral dissertation: Systems modelling can support the sustainable development of maritime traffic

The examination of MSc Emilia Luoma’s doctoral thesis in environmental sciences was organized at the University of Helsinki on October 28, 2022. Professor Nina Tynkkynen from Åbo Akademi’s Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Economics acted as the opponent. The research behind the dissertation has been conducted as part of the projects 30MILES and COMPLETE, led by Kotka Maritime Research Centre (Merikotka). Merikotka’s research director, Associate Professor (Docent) Annukka Lehikoinen was the main supervisor of Luoma’s work.

The thesis, “Developing sustainability through systems thinking – Perspectives to maritime traffic” consists of four scientific articles and a summary section. The entity aims to increase the systemic understanding related to sustainability and sustainable development by applying causal network modeling methods. The case study topics through which the subject is approached in the articles are the management of the biofouling on ships and the sustainable development of marinas. In the summary section Luoma concludes on how causal network modeling methods can help identify factors and measures that prevent or promote sustainability and sustainable development.

“Based on the results, I would say that both qualitative and numerical causal network models support the conceptualization and structuring of sustainability issues in a versatile way,” Luoma states and continues: “My statement is that such a systemic review can increase the understanding of who should be involved in the discussion, what information is needed and what aspects should be considered in order to make decisions that promote sustainable development. The visual representation of the models can also promote the participation of stakeholders and open communication”.

At the dissertation event, Opponent Tynkkynen praised Luoma’s cross-disciplinary thesis as containing information useful for planning and policymaking purposes and offering fresh perspectives on the topic of maritime traffic, which is usually considered from a rather technical perspective. Tynkkynen also hoped that corresponding, non-traditional, and cross-disciplinary approaches could be included in the coming update of the national strategy for maritime research in Finland.

The thesis summary can be downloaded from the University of Helsinki’s publication archive Helda.

 

Written by: Annukka Lehikoinen

Research article: a decision analysis model to compare biofouling management strategies

Researchers of the Merikotka-driven COMPLETE and COMPLETE PLUS projects published a scientific article where they present a multi-criteria decision analysis model to compare alternative biofouling management strategies in the Baltic Sea. The article is a joint effort of the KMRC researchers from the groups of the University of Helsinki, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Science, and the Kotka Maritime Research Association, in collaboration with Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), Chalmers University of Technology, and University of Klaipeda.

Biofouling management helps to prevent the spread of potentially harmful non-native species but is important also in terms of ships’ fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The main biofouling management methods in use are regular cleaning of the underwater parts of vessels, and diverse biocidal or non-biocidal hull coatings. The ecological and environmental risks associated with different solutions and their combinations should be acknowledged when selecting case-specifically sustainable management strategies. In addition, the special characteristics of the Baltic Sea, such as the partial ice coverage in winter, restrict the applicability of some solutions in the area.

The researchers developed a model that enables case-specific comparison of the biofouling control strategies in relation to the risk of new non-indigenous species introductions in different parts of the Baltic Sea, the eco-toxicological risk due to biocidal hull coatings, and the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that increase along the growing friction caused by the organisms attaching the ship’s hull. In addition, for each analyzed scenario, the model estimates the monetary costs for the shipping company, arising from the fuel consumption and the evaluated control options.

In the article, the researchers demonstrate how, with the careful consideration of the hull fouling management strategy, both money and environment can be saved. Biocidal-free coating combined with regular in-water cleaning, using a device to collect the detached organic material, provides a sustainable alternative. However, the optimal biocidal-free coating type and in-water cleaning interval should be evaluated case-specifically.  In some cases, biocidal coating with less regular in-water cleaning appears to be a justifiable solution but even then, the copper concentration and release rate from the coating should be adjusted to the low-salinity conditions of the Baltic Sea.

The article is published in the journal Science of the total environment and is freely available. It is part of the KMRC-researcher Emilia Luoma’s PhD study she conducts as part of the research group of the University of Helsinki. In her thesis Luoma applies participatory system modeling methods to examine environmental and sustainability issues related to marine traffic in the Baltic Sea.

 

Written by: Emilia Luoma and Annukka Lehikoinen

A recent scientific article explores biofouling management in shipping

Researchers in the COMPLETE project have published an article that explores the management question related to the biofouling of ships’ underwater structures through qualitative decision analysis. The article recently came out in Marine Pollution Bulletin.

Biofouling management is important to prevent the spread of harmful non-indigenous species, but also from the viewpoint of the fuel economy and CO2 emissions of ships. The attachment and growth of organisms can be prevented by regular cleaning of the underwater parts of vessels and by applying various antifouling or foul-release coatings. However, there are risks associated with the methods and their combinations, that should be considered when making choices.

In their recent article, the researchers clarify the multifaceted and cross-disciplinary nature of the biofouling management decisions. To support readers’ thinking, the problem is visualized as a causal conceptual map (qualitative influence diagram). The article explains how ship- and route-specific factors, as well as the physico-chemical conditions in the Baltic Sea, affect the case-specifically optimal choices. The control options are viewed in a multi-objective manner, from the perspectives of shipping companies’ fuel and biofouling management costs, CO2 emissions and the risks to the Baltic Sea ecosystem.

The article is part of KMRC-researcher Emilia Luoma’s PhD study in the research group of the University of Helsinki. In her thesis, Luoma applies participatory system modeling methods to examine environmental and sustainability issues related to marine traffic in the Baltic Sea.

Read the original article

 

Written by: Annukka Lehikoinen

COMPLETE project will be followed by an extension stage project COMPLETE PLUS

COMPLETE project will be followed by an extension stage project COMPLETE PLUS “Practical implementation of the COMPLETE project outputs and tools”, receiving co-financing from the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme. The project will start in April 2021 and end in December 2021, and it will be implemented by 11 COMPLETE project partners. The project aims to ensure that COMPLETE project outputs will be operationalized to ensure their sustainable use by all relevant actors and stakeholders. Further information about the COMPLETE PLUS will be shared at the COMPLETE web page in due time (www.balticcomplete.com).

COMPLETE Final Conference materials available

 

9-10 February 2021

The Final Conference of the COMPLETE project “Completing management options in the Baltic Sea Region to reduce the risk of invasive species introduction by shipping” was held on 9-10 February 2021 as an online conference. Over 160 participants from 18 countries attended this event, representing policy makers, authorities, shipping companies, ports/port authorities, boating associations, companies providing hull cleaning services and antifouling systems, scientists and non-governmental organizations, among others. The first day was dedicated to the work that has been carried out in the COMPLETE project to support the harmonized implementation of the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). On the second day, the presentations focused on the biofouling management issues in the BSR, and showcased the results on harmonized monitoring of non-indigenous species in the region.

The recorded conference presentations can be viewed, and the presentations as PDFs can be downloaded at the conference web page: https://balticcomplete.com/news/final-conference.

Final Conference of the COMPLETE project coming up on 9-10 February 2021

 

 

The Final Conference of the COMPLETE project will be organized on 9-10 February 2021 as an online event.

The aim of the conference is to present potential solutions and sustainable management options for reducing the risk of invasive species introductions caused by shipping and boating in the Baltic Sea Region from the COMPLETE project. The aim of the project has been to develop consistent and adaptive management tools and recommendations for the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) by addressing both major vectors of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens: ballast water and biofouling, as well as taking into account the needs for non-indigenous species monitoring.

More information about the event on the conference web page.

Register by 5 February with this form.  See you at the conference!

 

Sailing boat hull with a patchwork of anti-fouling paints for studying biofouling growth

The role of leisure boats in the spreading of alien species in the Baltic Sea Region is largely unknown. The number of leisure boats operating in the Baltic Sea Region is growing, and the risk of potential new introductions is also increasing. It is essential to be aware of this risk and its magnitude in order to address the issue with the most cost-effective measures. As a part of COMPLETE activities, a study will be carried out in summer 2020 together with Kari “Ruffe” Nurmi and his sailing boat, which will be literally used as an experimental vessel.

The aim of the experiments is to test with a single sailing boat, how different kinds of anti-fouling paints common in the market can affect the growth of biofouling organisms during a normal sailing season in the Baltic Sea Region. In addition, some strips in the hull will be left unpainted, to act as reference areas. In this way a comparison can be made, how different antifouling paints work in practice in similar ‘real life’ conditions and verify if there are any alien species present in the potential fouling communities.

During the sailing season, the biofouling growth will be checked with an underwater video camera. The boat will be lifted after the sailing season and samples will be collected from the different strips on the boat hull and the hull will be photographed. From these samples a detailed analysis will be made by the COMPLETE project partner Finnish Environment Institute about the coverage of biofouling, the species composition and especially the presence of alien species. This kind of experimental study is first of its kind in the Baltic Sea Region, and the results will give an insight to the potential transfer of alien species with leisure boats. The results will also be taken into account when giving recommendations from the COMPLETE project on how to mitigate potential risks related to biofouling of leisure boats in the Baltic Sea area.

More information: COMPLETE project.

 

COMPLETE Stakeholder Conference materials now downloadable at the web

COMPLETE Stakeholder Conference ‘Towards solutions for sustainable boating and shipping: better biofouling and ballast water management’ was organized on 4-5 December in Jurmala, Latvia. Over seventy participants from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the HELCOM Secretariat joined the stakeholder conference, representing different stakeholders from policy makers at international, regional, and national level, (e.g. maritime and environmental administrations) as well as local administrations, ports/port authorities, chemical safety authorities, shipping companies, boating associations, marinas, environmental NGOs, and companies providing hull cleaning services. At plenary sessions, stakeholders presented their views on the problems of biofouling and ballast water management, and project partners described how the results of the project can help solve problems.

Conference materials can now be downloaded at the official conference web pages.

 

SAVE THE DATE: COMPLETE Stakeholder Conference on 4-5 December 2019

Stakeholder conference

Towards solutions for sustainable shipping and boating: better biofouling and ballast water management

will be organized by COMPLETE project in Jurmala (Latvia), on 4–5 December 2019.

The aim of the conference is to discuss potential solutions and sustainable management options to reducing the risk of invasive species introductions caused by shipping and boating in the Baltic Sea Region. The latest findings on the magnitude of the biofouling issue, and the current practices for biofouling management will be presented, and cost-effective solutions to harmonizing management actions across the region will be sought. Biofouling management will be discussed from the viewpoints of both the commercial shipping sector as well as the leisure boating sector. Moreover, the need for an early warning system for harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens in the region, and the scientific support for harmonized implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention will be clarified.

More information of the event at conference web page.

COMPLETE project at IMO GloFouling Partnerships Project Kick Off

The work of the COMPLETE project (www.balticcomplete.com) was represented by Dr. Annika Krutwa/Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (Germany), among other recent initiatives at the regional and global level, at the IMO GloFouling Partnerships Project kick-off meeting in London on 18-20 March. COMPLETE activities for filling knowledge gaps constitute the basis for the development of a regional harmonized Baltic Sea management strategy on biofouling to minimize species introduction and spread and provide the knowledge basis for a Baltic Sea wide harmonization of processes. Global co-operation in required for facing the challenges in the management of biofouling and invasive alien species.

Follow the link to the briefing about the meeting here.

COMPLETE at ICES WGBOSV and ICES/IOC/IMO WGITMO meetings

4-8 March 2019, Weymouth, England: COMPLETE partners participated in the ICES Working Group on Ballast and Other Ship Vectors (WGBOSV) and ICES/IOC/IMO Working Group on Introduction and Transfer of Marine Organisms (WGITMO) meetings. They presented and discussed the project progress at the international expert level, and received up-to-date information of the latest findings in the field of invasive alien species transported by maritime traffic.

COMPLETE at the Joint HELCOM/OSPAR TG BALLAST meeting

Gothenburg, Sweden, 13-14 December 2018. The status report of the COMPLETE project was presented at the 9th meeting of the Joint HELCOM/OSPAR Task Group on Ballast Water Management Convention Exemptions (HELCOM/OSPAR TG BALLAST). The COMPLETE project also presented the project output 3.1 “Advanced target species selection criteria”. The  proposed  selection  of  TS  is  based  on  all  pertinent prioritized and ranked values (potential to pose threat to human health, impact on economy, and environment)  and  on  the  IMO Guidelines on  risk  assessment  under  regulation  A-4 (G7).

The meeting documents and outcome can be found at the HELCOM meeting portal.

COMPLETE at the PA Ship Steering Committee Meeting

COMPLETE project attended the 11th Steering Committee meeting of EUSBSR PA Ship, hosted by the Finnish Transport Safety Agency on 27-28 November in Helsinki. Project presented its progress and plans as a flagship project to the Steering Committee. Meeting documents can be found at PA Ship homepage.

Flagship project developing management strategies for ships’ ballast water and hull fouling

The EU project COMPLETE (Completing management options in the Baltic Sea Region to reduce risk of invasive alien species introduction by shipping) gained flagship project status from the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) on 26th of September 2018. This demonstrates the high political relevance of ships’ ballast water and hull fouling management to reduce the risk of introduction of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens. The project’s aim to minimize this risk by the development of user-friendly tools and management options is recognized as essential. The flagship status supports conveying the relevant results and recommendations of the COMPLETE project to the policy level and contributes to ensuring that the project results are used in practice.

Aim to minimize the introduction of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens

The COMPLETE project develops consistent and adaptive management options for the Baltic Sea Region addressing both major vectors for invasive species introductions: ballast water and biofouling. The project is tackling several gaps in current knowledge and proposing both operational frameworks and user-friendly tools for the management of these two vectors. The COMPLETE project aims at developing a roadmap for a regionally harmonized biofouling management strategy by involving all relevant stakeholders in all phases of this process.

Co-operation between all Baltic Sea Region countries

COMPLETE partners from Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden are working together with 23 associated organizations from all Baltic Sea states. These organizations include research organizations, maritime and environmental ministries, their agencies, relevant private companies (e.g. shipping companies, shipowners, port authorities) and NGOs.

 

Project web page: www.balticcomplete.com

Project can also be followed in twitter and ResearchGate.

 

Drawing competition for kids organized in summer 2018

The Baltic Sea Village, together with the COMPLETE project, organized a drawing competition for kids aged 6 to 10 years old in spring 2018. The theme of the competition was ‘alien species’, and the drawings could present either real or imaginary creatures. A winner was drawn among all contestants, and given a family ticket to the Aquarium House Maretarium in Kotka.

All the works sent to the competition were displayed at the Baltic Sea Village event in Kotka on 25-28/07/2018. The gallery of the drawings can also be found below. We wish to thank all the participants for their artistic insight about alien species!

Joanna Lankila, Mermaid (Merenneito)

Veera Ropa, A Star (Tähti)

Aarni Kotilainen, Seafloor (Merenpohja)

Viljo Heiskanen, Light (Valo)

Veeti Alppirinne, Spiny fish (Piikkikala)

Minea Lankila, Rockpool shrimp (Silokatkarapu)

Lenny Korhonen, Ender portal (Enderportaali)

Aatu Kiiski, Monsterfish (Hirviökala)

Eino Hasko, Mosasaurus

Erin Hännikäinen, Bigfish (Iso-Kala)

 

 

COMPLETE project presented at the 8th Meeting of the Joint HELCOM/OSPAR TG Ballast

16-17 November 2017, Helsinki, Finland: Tasks and activities of COMPLETE were discussed in the light of the information needed by TG Ballast for the ongoing amendment of the HELCOM/OSPAR Joint Harmonized procedure on granting exemptions from ballast water treatment provisions of the 2004 International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). (https://bit.ly/2Mnq1Xn; https://bit.ly/2l7Pdos).

COMPLETE at the HELCOM MARITIME 17-2017

10-12 October 2017, St. Petersburg, Russia: Tasks and planned activities of the newly started COMPLETE project were presented at the 17th Meeting of the HELCOM Maritime Working Group (MARITIME 17-2017).

File

Meriliikenteen päästövähennystavoitteet

Halonen, Justiina ja Piispa, Marko 2018. In: Halonen & Potinkara (toim.), Liikkeellä: Toimintaa ja tuloksia logistiikan ja merenkulun tutkimus-ja kehitystoiminnasta. Xamk Kehittää 60, Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulu 2018. s. 61-72.

Implementation time

1.10.2017 - 31.12.2021