1. INFORMATION EMPA Jan Magne Fosse Vice - president

2. EMPA EMPA is a non-profit organisation, established in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1968. It represents almost all maritime pilots from 25 European countries. The purposes of the association are : –to promote professional and safe pilotage, –to improve quality and safety standards for pilots, –to exchange experience and best practices regarding : education and training, continued proficiency, operations, accident prevention. The association is also involved in international research projects.

3. Perspectives for the Baltic region: Transporting oil – a growing opportunity During the last ten years, Russia's economic growth resulted mainly from the increased export of energy fuels According to the World Bank data, export of oil and gas amounts to more than 70% of the overall export revenues in Russia Russia the world leader in oil extraction In the end of 2009, its oil production level exceeded the one of the previous world leader in oil production - Saudi Arabia

4. Primorsk The Port of Primorsk, currently transshipping 75 mln tons of oil per annum, is constantly developing, and may soon increase its transshipment to 120 mln tons

5. The role of BPAC important The constantly increasing number of ship carrying oil makes BPAC more important than ever. BPAC Rules Model course – Maybe use ETCS as a template? Avoid conflict between the Baltic countries.

6. Conflict between good neighbours The European Maritime Pilots Association is very concerned about the lingering conflict between the Danish and Swedish pilots regarding pilotage in the Danish Straits. EMPA thinks it is not only in the interest of the countries directly involved, but also in the interest of pilotage in the Baltic region and in the rest of Europe that a solution is found without further delay. We therefore urge both the Danish and Swedish pilots administrations to come to an agreement Maybe someone can act as mediator

7. Next GM in Amsterdam 24. 27. mai 2010

8. Some of the topics for the GM E-navigation Pilots & VTM (presentation Ports of Rotterdam/Amsterdam) Round-table conference (Future of Pilotage) with politicians, ship-owners, agents, stakeholders, civil servants and leading members of port authorities from European ports/countries.

9. Criminalization of seafarers

10. The Nordic delegation in Antalya