Signed by the Baltic Sea States in 1974 and extend in 1992, the Helsinki Convention was the first

international agreement worldwide to take into account all aspects of marine environment
protection. The Convention regulates the co-operation to respond to marine pollution by oil and
other harmful substance and has the objective to prevent pollution from ships, pollution from
land-based sources and pollution resulting from the exploration and exploitation of the seabed
and its subsoil to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea area.
(Clean Seas Guide The Baltic Sea Area, 2012, The Helsinki Convention)

Yes, but respecting some rules. The Baltic Sea has been designated as the world’s first MARPOL
Annex IV sewage special area for passenger ships engaged in international voyages in the baltic
sea area (400 GT and above or which are certified to carry more than 15 persons). The
discharge of sewage from passenger ships in the Baltic Sea will be allowed only for sewage
processed through an on-board sewage treatment plant which reduces nitrogen and
phosphorous concentration to specified levels.
Before June of 2021 for existing IMO-registered passenger ships, June of 2019 for new
passenger ships and June of 2023 for direct passages between St. Petersburg and the North Sea,
the general provisions of MARPOL Annex IV was applied in the Baltic Sea.
(Baltic Sea Clean Shipping Guide 2017, II: Sewage)