Garbage guidance from ICS
(Posted on 11/10/18)
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has recently published a new edition of its ‘Guidance for the Preparation and Implementation of Garbage Management Plans as Required by MARPOL Annex V’. This second edition is intended to help shipping companies comply with the latest requirements of the IMO regulation regarding treatment and disposal of garbage from ships.
ICS Deputy Secretary General, Simon Bennett said: “Following the entry into force of some important amendments to MARPOL Annex V in 2017 and 2018 respectively, it is essential to provide updated advice to shipping companies on the latest requirements for ships to prepare and implement Garbage Management Plans.”
He added, “While the vast majority of garbage found at sea originates from land, it is no longer acceptable, with very limited exceptions, for any merchant ship to dispose of garbage at sea because of the seriously damaging effects on the marine environment.”
Garbage dumped at sea can be as harmful as oil or chemicals. Plastics in particular can take years to degrade, and fish and other marine life can easily confuse plastics with food.
“As well as doing great harm to marine life and threatening biodiversity, dangerous toxins can enter the food chain, ultimately being consumed by humans.”, Mr Bennett explained.
Some of the latest changes to the global regulation include amendments to make the environment-related provisions of the IMO Polar Code, which are applicable to Annex V, mandatory. A definition for the new ‘E-waste’ garbage category is also included, along with a new criteria to establish whether or not ‘cargo residues’ are harmful to the marine environment, and a new format of the Garbage Record Book which has been divided into two parts.
Latest News
Wallem Group reaches a century in Hong Kong
(Posted on 04/11/25)Wallem Group, a leading global maritime partner, is celebrating the centenary of moving its headquarters... Read more
INTERCARGO celebrates record membership ahead of 45th Anniversary
(Posted on 04/11/25)The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) is marking its 45th anniversary in... Read more
NORDEN reports net profit of US$26m in Q3 2025
(Posted on 04/11/25)Net profit for the Group amounted to USD 26 million (DKK 166 million) in the third quarter of 2025,... Read more
ClassNK releases 'Guidelines for Onboard CO2 Capture and Storage Systems (Edition 2.0)'
(Posted on 04/11/25)ClassNK has released 'Guidelines for Onboard CO2 Capture and Storage Systems (Edition 2.0)' first in... Read more
InterManager urges Seafarer participation in Enclosed-Space Safety Survey
(Posted on 27/10/25)Following the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO’s) newly tightened rules on enclosed... Read more
DNV: Nuclear propulsion is viable solution for maritime decarbonisation
(Posted on 27/10/25)According to a new paper by DNV, shifting environmental requirements are reigniting interest in nuclear... Read more
MoU on cooperation Between Zhejiang Seaport and Columbia
(Posted on 24/10/25)Zhejiang Seaport Group and Columbia Group Limited have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of... Read more
INTERCARGO statement on Extraordinary Meeting of MEPC
(Posted on 20/10/25)The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) has released a statement on the Extraordinary... Read more
Investigation into impact of technology on seafarers
(Posted on 20/10/25)The future of shipping is already here. From autonomous systems to artificial intelligence, maritime... Read more
ESL Shipping’s science-based net-zero targets validated by SBTi
(Posted on 17/10/25)The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved ESL Shipping’s near and long-term... Read more
