PRESS RELEASE

HELCOM launches online version of mariners' routeing guide for the
Baltic

For immediate release

Helsinki, 15 August (HELCOM Information Service) - The Helsinki Commission today launched an online version of the Transit Guide for the Baltic Sea, which is a single source of essential navigational information for shipmasters planning safe routes through the Baltic.

"The web version of the HELCOM Transit Guide is the first undertaking of its kind in the Baltic Sea area," said Anne Christine Brusendorff, HELCOM's Executive Secretary. "It has been developed to provide online access to systematic and updated guidance and information related to the safety of navigation in the Baltic Sea area."

The web-based Transit Guide includes the same kind of information and has the similar outline as the print version of the Guide, designed to supplement the existing nautical chart portfolio for the Baltic Sea. It includes information on ship routeing systems, including numerous traffic separation schemes and deep water routes, ship reporting systems, pilotage, ice conditions, maritime assistance services and special regulations.

The online Guide has been developed by the HELCOM Transit Route Expert Working Group under the lead of Denmark, using a chart designed and printed by the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH). The initial idea of the whole project, which included the development of both the print and online versions, was to provide mariners with an easy to use guide which allows users to instantly access necessary information. Germany has been keeping the Transit Guide print version up to date since the initial release in 2006. The latest 3rd edition was published in April 2008. The web-based Guide will be maintained by the Danish Maritime Safety Administration.

Follow-up:

The online version of the Transit Guide for the Baltic Sea is available at http://www.helcom.dk/map/.

To order your print copy of the Guide, please visit the BSH web site
at http://www.bsh.de/en/Products/Charts/Routeing_Guides/index.jsp

Note to Editors:

The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as the Helsinki Commission, or HELCOM, is an intergovernmental organisation of all the nine Baltic Sea countries and the EU which works to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation.

HELCOM is the governing body of the "Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area", known as the Helsinki Convention.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Monika Stankiewicz

Professional Secretary

HELCOM

Tel: +358 (0)207 412 643