Sten-Bergen Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On January 2, 2025, multiple beaches in Hanko found themselves blanketed in unusual white solidified clumps of cooking and animal fats, alongside vegetable oil. Authorities suspect these remnants originated from the tanker 'Sten Bergen', which was docked at Porvoo from January 24 to 26 and reportedly conducted tank washing while at sea. This incident raises serious concerns regarding compliance with international maritime regulations set by the MARPOL Convention and its Annex II, which govern the discharge of hazardous substances into the Baltic Sea. The Finnish Coast Guard is currently examining whether an environmental crime has occurred due to the vessel's actions. The 'Sten Bergen' is believed to have pre-washed its tanks at the Sköldvik port in Porvoo before proceeding to wash its tanks at sea. For vessels transporting certain types of cargo, regulations permit the release of wash water into the Baltic Sea under specific conditions, such as performing a second rinse after meeting certain criteria. Marine specialist Vanessa Ryan from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has voiced concerns regarding the need for stricter regulations on the discharge of such washing waters, given the potential environmental consequences. Liquid substances transported in bulk are classified into four categories based on their threat to human health and the environment, per MARPOL guidelines. Ships carrying substances labeled as X-cargo must conduct mandatory pre-washing in port after unloading. Y-cargo vessels face slightly more lenient rules, though they are also required to pre-wash under certain circumstances while ensuring wash water disposal occurs in port. Still, a subsequent at-sea rinse may be allowed under specific conditions if the ship has previously pre-washed its tanks within legal parameters. For example, a tank from a ship built post-2007 is permitted to contain no more than 75 liters of harmful residue after emptying, alongside varied limitations for different substances. For at-sea rinsing, vessels must maintain a distance of at least 12 nautical miles from the shore, encounter a water depth of no less than 25 meters, and travel at a minimum speed of seven knots. The Coast Guard's investigation seeks to determine if the fat deposits along Hanko's beaches can be traced back to unlawful practices by the 'Sten Bergen'. Should the inquiry yield sufficient evidence of wrongdoing, the case may escalate into an environmental protection offense within maritime law. As of now, the city of Hanko has no immediate plans to report the incident to authorities, while Neste has stepped in to manage the cleanup efforts and has committed to covering associated costs. For further details and photos, visit Yle’s reports: https://yle.fi/a/74-20140453, https://yle.fi/a/7-10072004.