Garbage handling remains a significant challenge for the maritime industry, impacting both the oceans and the shores, and can be deadly for fish and marine mammals. The requirements of MARPOL Annex V provide a solid framework and approach to help minimize this problem.
A garbage management plan on board is essential to ensure that waste is properly handled, stored, and disposed of in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner. As per MARPOL ANNEX V:
- Every ship of 100 gross tons and above and every ship certified to carry 15 persons or more and fixed or floating platforms shall carry a Garbage Management Plan which will consist of procedures and instructions to be followed for proper garbage management always in line regulatory requirements.
- Every ship of 400 gross tons and above and every ship certified to carry 15 persons or more, shall carry a Garbage Record Book in order to record each discharge operation or completed incineration. This includes discharges at sea, to reception facilities, or to other ships.
- Every ship of 12 meters or more in length overall, shall display placards to notify the crew and passengers of the ship’s discharges requirements.
As a typical cargo ship is subject to all the aforementioned requirements, an effective Garbage Management Plan (including a Garbage Record Book and Garbage Placards) must be maintained on board.
The Garbage Management Plan is not subject to approval by the Flag Administration, unlike other plans. However, some classification societies, in order to issue specific notations (mainly related to environmental standards), may require reviewing and approving the Garbage Management Plan to ensure compliance with these environmental standard
The Garage management plan should include as minimum the following:
1. General information about MARPOL Annex V
2. Instructions and guidance for MARPOL Annex V categories:
a. Part I
A. Plastics
B. Food wastes
C. Domestic wastes (e.g. paper products, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery, etc.)
D. Cooking Oil
E. Incinerator ashes
F. Operational wastes
G. Animal Carcasses
H. Fishing Gear
I. E-Waste
b. Part II
J. Cargo Residues (non-HME)
K. Cargo Residues (HME)
3. Ship Specific information (Garbage storing Areas, Color code followed on board for segregation etc)
4. Ship Specific handling procedures on different Garbage Categories
5. Sample Placards for Garbage handling on board
6. Garbage Record Book section with appropriate documentation and record keeping procedures.
An Officer should be specified as responsible for Garbage Management plan implementation. The designated officer is responsible for:
a. Displaying placards in the appropriate language, positioned to notify the crew and passengers of the disposal requirements prescribed in regulations 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Annex V for garbage disposal within and outside special areas.
b. Ensuring that prescribed entries for each discharge operation or completed incineration are made in the Garbage Record Book.
c. Arranging for the Training and Familiarization of crew onboard regarding Garbage Management procedures in line with developed Garbage Management Plan
d. Reviewing the Garbage Management Plan procedures and reports to Managing Company revisions and updates if any
The Officer responsible for Garbage Management plan implementation may be assisted by other officers or personnel of Deck/Galley or Engine department.
IMO Resolution MEPC.220(63) provides the Guidelines for the development of garbage management plans.
Training requirements
The Garbage Management Plan should be included in the familiarization process for seafarers, as it is a ship-specific document. Crew members must be familiar with the segregation of garbage, based on the shipboard-defined color code. All crew should know the designated garbage storage areas, segregation procedures, and disposal methods. Refresher or additional training may be necessary in cases of significant crew changes.
Key Considerations
In general, the purpose of MARPOL Annex V regulations is to provide guidance on the handling, segregation, and disposal of generated waste. However, minimizing waste quantities is a company-specific procedure and policy that should also be considered.
Disposing of waste to shore facilities is another important aspect. Reception facilities, as per local regulations, should be used as much as possible for discharging waste. Ports may have special discharge requirements for food waste and related garbage, which may carry diseases or pest organisms, as well as for items like dunnage, batteries, medicines, outdated pyrotechnics, or unusually large, heavy, or odorous derelict fishing gear. In cases where countries or ports lack adequate reception facilities for waste disposal, the Garbage Management Plan should provide guidance on the emergency actions required.
Overall, an effective Garbage Management Plan is essential for both environmental protection and the welfare of the ship’s crew. Operators should be flexible when creating the plans, ensuring they are ship-specific and include the applicable types of garbage. Proper handling, segregation, and storage contribute to effective housekeeping on board, minimizing both environmental and health risks associated with generated waste.
