Prosecutions for Ship Sourced Pollution
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 3276PO 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.
Guide to Best Practice for Port Reception Facility Providers and Users
IMO has published a Guide to Best Practice for Port Reception Facility Providers and Users MEPC.1/Circ.671 [
PDF: 224Kb]. The Guide is intended to be a practical users' guide for ships' crews who seek to deliver MARPOL residues/wastes ashore and for port reception facility providers who seek to provide timely and efficient port waste reception services to ships. Crews, agents, port authorities and waste service providers are encouraged to apply best practice as described within the Guide.
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:
Manager Environment Protection
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
General Manager
Strategy and Communications
Maritime New Zealand
PO Box 27006
Wellington NEW ZEALAND
or by facsimile on +64 (0) 4 494 1263