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Waste Reception Facilities in Australian and New Zealand Ports

The following web pages have been prepared by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Maritime New Zealand to assist ship operators comply with the MARPOL Convention by using shore based facilities to dispose of ship generated waste. Information contained in this booklet was initially compiled as part of the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) Maritime Accidents and Pollution Initiative 1995 Survey of Waste Reception Facilities in Ports, Boat Harbours and Marinas.

Link to Australian and New Zealand ports

Ships Agents

Wherever possible, arrangements for the use of reception facilities in Australian and New Zealand ports should be made through the ship's agent.

Noxious Liquid Substances

Australian and New Zealand port reception facilities for noxious liquid substances (NLS) will accept MARPOL categories X, Y and Z unless otherwise indicated.

Charges

Charges apply to the use of facilities unless otherwise indicated.

Inadequate Facilities

Should a ship's Master or agent find reception facilities in a port inadequate, for example as a result of insufficient capacity and/or undue delay, the Master should communicate all relevant details to the vessel's Flag State and if possible to the Authorities of the port State (see IMO reporting format MEPC/Circ.469/Rev.1). Notification should be made as soon as possible. These deficiencies are then in turn reported by the Flag State to the International Maritime Organization and addressed as part of the regular reporting process established under MARPOL.

Marine Notice 9/2005 contains further information and a link to PDF and electronic versions of the IMO reporting format.

Quarantine

Quarantine regulations are strictly enforced in Australia and New Zealand. Quarantine wastes with respect to shipping include:

Organic galley and accommodation refuse, including nonwashable items which may have been in contact with such wastes;
Dunnage (wood, straw, matting and other packing material) and floor sweeping in some instances;
Other organic wastes which may constitute a quarantine risk;
In Australia, all organic waste stored on decks of vessels must be secured in plastic bags, or metal or plastic bins with close fitting lids. In New Zealand, all organic waste must be secured within solid construction bins that are capable of being washed, eg metal or plastic.

It is essential that quarantine wastes are segregated from domestic wastes otherwise all wastes will need to be classified as quarantine waste and disposed of in a more controlled and potentially expensive manner. Quarantine waste must be removed by an authorised contractor to an approved quarantine waste disposal area.

For further information regarding Quarantine regulations, please contact:

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
Director Border Program
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: +61 (0) 2 6272 3566
Fax: +61 (0) 2 6272 3276

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand

PO Box 2526

Wellington

NEW ZEALAND

Phone: +64 4 894 0560

Fax: +64 4 894 0720

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) in Australia

Ships in Australian and New Zealand ports are subject to inspection by surveyors and inspectors appointed in most ports for the purposes of enforcing MARPOL. Ship's Masters should be aware that surveyors or inspectors may ask to see records of oily waste disposal, as required by the ship's Oil Record Book, or receipts for garbage disposal.

Changes and updates

The following webpages will be updated annually. AMSA and Maritime New Zeland encourages Masters, agents and port authorities to forward any corrections or additional information to:

General Manager
Maritime Safety and Environment Strategy
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181
Canberra City ACT 2601
or by facsimile on +61 (0) 2 6279 5026
or email to: Environment Protection Standards

General Manager
Strategy and Communications
Maritime New Zealand
PO Box 27006
Wellington NEW ZEALAND
or by facsimile on +64 (0) 4 494 1263

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last updated: 31 August 2007