Risks

The threats to national defence, national security, and public order are discussed in more detail below, as well as events that could lead to civil crises – epidemics, natural disasters, and technological accidents.

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    Large-scale marine pollution

    tumesinine ikoon, pudel merel hulpimas

    Threat assessment: The risk of marine pollution occurring in Estonian waters is considered likely, taking into account the intensity of international shipping traffic. Increasing cargo transport, the region’s complex navigational conditions, and vessels belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet all raise the probability of this risk materialising.

    Marine pollution is a significant threat in Estonian waters and may arise from multiple sources: the transport of oil products and chemicals, ship collisions, leaking wrecks, port activities, and the development of offshore wind farms. Pollution can damage marine ecosystems and wildlife and threaten human health as well as economic activity.

    Several minor pollution incidents have occurred in Estonian waters in previous years, some linked to port activities and others to fuel leaks from vessels. Officially recorded large-scale incidents have been few, but the environmental impact of earlier cases has been considerable. In recent years, however, the risk of potential tanker accidents has increased.

    Threats
    • Large, busy, and unregulated anchorage areas have formed near Naissaar and Vaindloo islands for cargo ships waiting for access to loading facilities, mainly in Russian ports.
    • An increasing number of tankers sail in Estonian waters, not all of which comply with international maritime safety conventions.
    • More than 600 shipwrecks have been identified in Estonian waters. Of these, around 60 are considered to pose a significant environmental hazard due to the quantity and danger of oil products in their tanks. A large share of these wrecks date back to the First and Second World Wars.
    Actions
    • National and international exercises have simulated pollution scenarios, which have demonstrated that pollution response preparedness and coordination require continuous improvement.
    • Within the framework of the international AISRISK II project, work is under way to adapt a dynamic risk assessment tool to Estonian conditions, enabling more precise monitoring and evaluation of pollution risk dynamics. Plans also exist to use the
    • EcoSensitivity Tool for scenario-based impact analysis in cooperation with the University of Tartu’s Estonian Marine Institute.
    • A national marine pollution response concept is under development. This will define responsibilities and develop cooperation mechanisms.

    Guidelines

    If you notice oil-contaminated birds, environmental pollution, or the threat of pollution, report this by calling the national information hotline 1247. Reports can also be sent by email to [email protected]

    If you discover or cause marine pollution, notify the following contacts as soon as possible:

    Aeronautical and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC Tallinn): +372 619 1224

    Radio Frequencies:

    • VHF-DSC Channel 70
    • VHF Channel 16
    • VHF Channel 69
    • MF-DSC 2187.5 kHz
    • 2182 kHz

    Radio Call Signs:

    • On VHF Channels 16 and 69, call TALLINN MEREVALVEKESKUS (in English: Tallinn RESCUE).

    Last updated on 20.11.2025

    national risk assessment