Brazil’s Port of Maceió and Jamaica’s Kingston Wharves Port have taken significant steps toward protecting the marine environment from ship-generated pollution by drafting comprehensive port waste management plans.
Workshops and Development of Plans
- Representatives of national maritime and port authorities met at workshops held in Maceió, Brazil (2-3 December), and Kingston, Jamaica (9-10 December).
- Supported by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) under the GloLitter Partnerships Project, these sessions focused on reducing plastic litter from ships.
- The draft plans aim to handle ship and port operation waste safely, efficiently, and in compliance with MARPOL Annex V regulations addressing ship-source pollution.
Key Features of Waste Management Plans
- Safe and Efficient Handling: Practical procedures for waste reception and processing.
- Environmental Protection: Strategies for minimizing plastic pollution and marine litter.
- Regulatory Compliance: Alignment with MARPOL Annex V and international standards.
The finalized plans will be submitted to national authorities for approval. Brazil and Jamaica also plan to share their experience with other GloLitter partner countries to expand global knowledge on effective port waste management.
Port State Control Training
Regional Training in Brazil (4-6 December)
- Participants included representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru.
- Focus areas:
- Compliance with MARPOL Annex V on plastic waste management.
- Monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
- Application of the London Convention and Protocol for preventing marine pollution by dumping.
The sessions included a live port inspection demonstration at the Port of Maceió, showcasing best practices in port reception and waste management.
National Training in Jamaica (11-13 December)
- Addressed the same themes with a focus on local implementation.
- Included a virtual demonstration of port State control applications.
Impact and Future Steps
- These initiatives strengthen compliance with global marine pollution standards and advance the GloLitter Partnerships Project’s goal of reducing sea-based plastic litter.
- Both countries will use their experience to guide other nations in implementing effective waste management and port control measures.
- The collaborative effort reflects a growing commitment to sustainable maritime operations and marine environmental protection.
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Source: IMO
