BIMCO calls for plan to minimize plastic waste entering the ocean

Overview

BIMCO is calling for an action plan to ensure that adequate facilities for plastic waste disposal and processing for recycling are available ashore, as such facilities are a prerequisite for preventing plastic from entering the ocean when delivered to port reception facilities by the ships.

The proposal has been submitted by BIMCO in co-operation with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), INTERTANKO and the World Shipping Council (WSC) to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London.

Dumping plastic into the ocean from ships has been banned since 1 January 1989 and to keep the ban effective, port reception and treatment facilities ashore should be equipped to handle plastic waste in an environmentally sound manner.

“The responsibility to avoid ship generated plastic waste ending up in the sea is a responsibility that we must all share. Therefore, BIMCO is seeking engagement from all stakeholders to address the entire process of handling plastic waste from ship to shore,”says BIMCO Deputy Secretary General, Lars Robert Pedersen.

Garbage management and collection onboard ships should be followed by subsequent destruction or recycling after being delivered to port reception facilities. 

Following up on the fact that many shipping companies already have implemented procurement procedures to minimize plastic coming aboard, the co-sponsors also propose that the IMO should consider the minimization of non-biodegradable plastic packaging and dunnage used onboard ships and review best management practices associated with this process.

 

Mette Kronholm Frænde
in Copenhagen, DK

Coronavirus

Access BIMCO's COVID-19 related articles and advice.

Read more

VPS Bunker Alerts

Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) publish regular Bunker Alerts based entirely on fuel samples and have kindly permitted BIMCO’s Members to access this information.

The Bunker Alerts are not intended to be an evaluation of overall bunker quality in the port or area concerned, but usually highlight a specific parameter within the fuel which has raised a quality issue.

Latest piracy reports

 

Latest industry releasable threats

 
 

ELSEWHERE ON BIMCO

Contracts & Clauses

All of BIMCO's most widely used contracts and clauses as well as advice on managing charters and business partners.

Learn about your cargo

For general guidance and information on cargo-related queries.

More about cargo

BIMCO Publications

Want to buy or download a BIMCO publication? Use the link to get access to the ballast water management guide, the ship master’s security manual and many other publications.

About a new business partner

We can help members check new business partners. We also help to recover millions of USD (undisputed) funds every year.