MEPC.1-Circ.893？-？Provision？Of？Adequate？Facilities？At？Ports？And？Terminals？For？TheReception？Of？Plastic？Waste…？(Secretariat)

MEPC.1/Circ.8939 July 2021PROVISION OF ADEQUATE FACILITIES AT PORTS AND TERMINALS FOR THERECEPTION OF PLASTIC WASTE FROM SHIPS1 The Marine Environment Protection Committee (the Committee)at its seventy-thirdsession,having recognized that more needed to be done to address the environmental andhealth problems posed by marine plastic litter,adopted the Action plan to address marineplastic litter from ships(resolution MEPC.310(73))(Action Plan).2The Action Plan,which builds on existing policy and regulatory frameworks,identifiesopportunities to enhance these frameworks and introduce new supporting measures toaddress the issue of marine plastic litter from ships.The Action Plan includes,inter-alia,somemeasures to improve the effectiveness of port reception facilities and treatment in reducingmarine plastic litter.3To progress the Action Plan,the Committee reminds Parties to MARPOL Annex V oftheir obligation under regulation 8 of MARPOL Annex V to ensure the provision of adequatefacilities at ports and terminals for the reception of garbage,including plastic waste from shipsand fishing gear,without causing undue delay to ships,and according to the needs of the shipsusing these facilities.4Parties are also reminded that the Committee had,with a view to facilitating efficientand environmentally responsible disposal of MARPOL wastes/residues,adopted and/orapproved the following manual and guidelines relating to port reception facilities:.1Port Reception Facilities-How to do it(2016);.2Guidelines for ensuring the adequacy of port waste reception facilities(resolution MEPC.83(44));and.3Consolidated guidance for port reception facility providers and users(MEPC.1/Circ.834/Rev.1).5Parties are further reminded of their obligation to notify the Organization fortransmission to the Contracting Parties concerned of all cases where the facilities providedunder regulation 8 of MARPOL Annex V are alleged to be inadequate.Such notification shouldbe submitted through the Port Reception Facilities module in the Global Integrated ShippingInformation System(GISIS).6 In this regard,port States are also reminded to provide proper arrangements toconsider and respond appropriately and effectively to reports of inadequacies,informing theOrganization and the reporting flag State of the outcome of their investigation(MEPC.1/Circ.834/Rev.1,paragraph 41).