MARPOL Annex V

Summary

This script addresses the critical issue of marine pollution from ship waste, emphasizing the environmental damage and economic costs. It outlines the evolution of MARPOL Annex V, detailing regulations on garbage disposal at sea, and the shift towards minimizing waste production. The script highlights the importance of proper garbage management, including separation, storage, and disposal procedures, and the need for training to ensure compliance. It also touches on the unique challenges and restrictions faced by ships operating in polar waters.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Oceans are vast, but discarding waste into them is harmful, affecting marine life and ecosystems.
• 🚢 Historically, seafarers wrongly believed that disposing of garbage at sea was harmless.
• 🗑️ Marine debris, including plastic, takes a long time to degrade, with some plastics never fully breaking down.
• 🐟 Almost 5 million tons of plastic enter the oceans annually, with microscopic particles being absorbed by marine organisms and potentially contaminating the food chain.
• 💸 Marine waste is costly, impacting tourism, agriculture, aquaculture, and causing damage to harbors, with the Asia-Pacific region alone facing over a billion dollars in losses each year.
• 📜 MARPOL Annex V, which came into force in 1988, regulates the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships and has been revised over time to tighten waste management practices.
• 🚫 Since January 1, 2013, the disposal of all forms of garbage at sea has been prohibited, except under certain conditions and with exceptions for specific waste types.
• 📝 Ship owners and operators are required to have a garbage management plan, which includes procedures for handling, processing, storage, and discharge of waste.
• 🔄 The emphasis is on garbage minimization, processing to reduce volume, and promoting reuse or recycling of materials.
• 🌍 Special areas like the Mediterranean, Baltic, and Antarctic have stricter regulations, and the Polar Code adds extra restrictions for ships operating in polar waters.

Q & A

Why did seafarers in the past think that throwing rubbish overboard caused no harm?

Seafarers thought that due to the vastness of the oceans, the impact of their garbage would be negligible and not cause any harm.

What are the consequences of garbage from ships on the marine environment?

Garbage from ships contaminates the seas, kills wildlife and plants, litters beaches, and some substances take years to biodegrade, affecting the food chain.

How long does it take for certain materials to biodegrade in the ocean?

Painted wood takes 13 years, a tin can 50 years, an aluminum can 80 to 200 years, and plastic an estimated 450 years, with some types of plastic potentially never breaking down completely.

How much plastic enters the oceans every year?

Almost 5 million tons of plastic enter our oceans every year.

What is the economic impact of marine debris on various industries?

Marine debris harms tourism, agriculture, and aquaculture, and damages harbors, marinas, and power stations, with the cost in the Asia-Pacific region estimated at more than a billion dollars each year.

What is MARPOL Annex V and when did it enter into force?

MARPOL Annex V is an international regulation that entered into force in 1988, aimed at preventing pollution by garbage from ships and banning the disposal of plastic at sea.

What changes were made to MARPOL Annex V in 2011?

In 2011, MARPOL Annex V was revised to place a greater emphasis on the sustainable management of waste and on record-keeping, and it changed the rules regarding the disposal of garbage at sea.

What are the exceptions for garbage disposal at sea under MARPOL Annex V?

The exceptions under certain restrictions are food waste, animal carcasses, non-harmful cargo residues, and non-harmful cleaning agents.

What is required for ships under MARPOL Annex V to manage their garbage effectively?

Ships must have a garbage management plan based on the guidelines developed by the IMO, which includes procedures for the collection, processing, storage, and discharge of garbage.

How does MARPOL Annex V address the issue of garbage processing on ships?

Garbage processing on ships is addressed by requiring the reduction of volume through compaction, grinding, or incineration, and ensuring that all waste is securely stored until it can be discharged ashore.

What are the responsibilities of ship owners and operators under MARPOL Annex V?

Ship owners and operators are required to plan their garbage management strategy thoroughly, procure the necessary equipment, and ensure that crew members are trained in completing their ship-specific plans.

What are the restrictions on garbage disposal for ships operating in special areas or polar waters under MARPOL Annex V?

In special areas and polar waters, ships are restricted from discharging most types of garbage into the sea, with exceptions for certain non-harmful substances under specific conditions and distances from land or ice.

What is the importance of the garbage record book under MARPOL Annex V?

The garbage record book is essential for documenting all garbage-related activities on the ship, including discharges, incineration, and accidental losses, and must be kept on board for at least two years after the last entry.

What additional restrictions does the Polar Code impose on garbage disposal for ships operating in polar waters?

The Polar Code imposes additional restrictions, such as specific distances from ice for discharging certain types of waste and prohibitions on discharging harmful substances, ensuring that ships operating in polar waters have a minimal environmental impact.