FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 28 May 2026
ESBJERG, Denmark
A broad coalition of public authorities, coastal municipalities, environmental organisations, shipping and port representatives, insurers, and technical experts today issued a united call to enhance shipping safety in one of Europe’s most sensitive marine areas. The appeal was made at an official side event of the 15th Trilateral Governmental Conference on the Protection of the Wadden Sea.
The Wadden Sea is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a designated Particularly Sensitive Sea Area, yet it borders some of the busiest and most weather-exposed shipping lanes in Europe. Recent years have underscored the risks that container losses, groundings, and severe weather pose to this shallow, ecologically fragile coastline
Fourteen organisations formally endorsed a set of stakeholder-driven Recommendations for Action, which will be submitted to the incoming Dutch Presidency of the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation. The recommendations are intended to reinforce ministerial commitments, strengthen trilateral cooperation, and highlight areas where further action is needed to advance global safety standards at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The side event, “Enhancing Shipping Safety in the Wadden Sea and North Sea,” was organised by Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation (KIMO), the Wadden Sea Society, and the Dutch Association of Wadden Sea Municipalities. It brought together interested participants for a policy-oriented dialogue focused on prevention, risk management, and emergency preparedness.
Key recommendations endorsed include:
Within the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation:
- Reinforcing structured follow-up on existing commitments, including the 2014 Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) Operational Plan and the Sustainable Shipping and Ports Initiative (SustSPI).
- Accelerating a trilateral evaluation of existing safety measures.
- Moving toward a harmonised approach to routing advice under hazardous weather conditions.
- Strengthening emergency preparedness, including adequate provision of Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs).
For joint influence at IMO level:
- Supporting harmonised and strengthened cargo lashing and stowage requirements.
- Promoting mandatory or standardised training on navigation in severe North Sea weather conditions.
- Advocating improved vessel design and fire-safety standards.
“Shipping safety is a shared responsibility. With these recommendations, stakeholders are not just asking for action – they are offering a constructive, actionable roadmap. We look forward to working with the incoming Dutch Presidency to turn these proposals into tangible progress,” said Lisa Bugge Nør Larsen, Executive Secretary of KIMO International, who moderated the event.
“The Wadden Sea is a globally unique ecosystem. The strong endorsement from 14 diverse organisations sends a clear signal that business-as-usual is not enough. We need trilateral leadership and international cooperation to reduce risks and protect these waters,” added Arjen Bosch, Strategic Advisor at the Dutch Association of Wadden Sea Municipalities, who delivered the opening remarks.
The recommendations will be formally conveyed to ministers shortly after the conference and are expected to guide trilateral action under the upcoming Dutch Presidency. Organisers encourage all relevant stakeholders – including those unable to attend the conference – to review the recommendations and join future implementation efforts.
For more information or to request a copy of the final Recommendations for Action paper, please contact:
Lisa Bugge Nør Larsen
Executive Secretary
KIMO International
+45 23359457
Notes to editors:
- Event: Official side event of the 15th Trilateral Governmental Conference on the Protection of the Wadden Sea
- Title: Enhancing Shipping Safety in the Wadden Sea and North Sea
- Date & time: 28 May 2026, 14:00–16:00 CET
- Location: Meeting Hall, Musikhuset Esbjerg, Havnegade 18, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
- Organisers: Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation (KIMO), the Wadden Sea Society, the Dutch Association of Wadden Sea Municipalities
- Number of endorsing organisations: 14 (list available upon request)
- Background documents: PSSA Wadden Sea Operational Plans (2014), Sustainable Shipping and Ports Initiative (SustSPI)
About the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation:
The Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation is the joint body of Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands responsible for the protection and sustainable management of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site.
About KIMO:
KIMO is a network of 75+ coastal municipalities in nine countries working together to protect, preserve, and enhance the marine environment. Founded in 1990, KIMO represents over 7 million people across Europe, advocating for sustainable practices and policies to ensure the health of our oceans for future generations. Since January 2025 KIMO’s International Secretariat has been hosted by one of its members, Aalborg Municipality.