MARPOL Annex V provides for food garbage to be discharged at least 3 nm from territorial sea base
The London P&I Club has issued Alert News regarding penalties imposed on operators for waste discharged in Bohai Bay, Tianjin as discharge of any garbage in the area is prohibited. The penalties are equivalent of USD3,000 to USD 30,000.
The Club advises operators who proceed to the North East coast of China to note that there has recently been an increase in the numbers of cases involving vessels being fined by the local Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) for discharging garbage/sewage into Bohai Bay, China.
Club’s Correspondent, Huatai Insurance Agency & Consultant Service Limited, Tianjin, has issued a detailed Circular (see below) clarifying the regulations concerning discharges of waste into the ocean in Bohai Bay area.
|
Annex V of Marpol 73/78 provides for food garbage only to be discharged at least 3 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline, with stricter provisions for certain other types of waste. As, however, Bohai Bay is an area of nearly enclosed inland sea, the discharge ofany garbage in Bohai Bay is prohibited. MSA officers attending on board vessels during PSC inspections have simply picked up on discharges of garbage/sewage as stated in the vessel’s records. The penalties imposed on those in breach range from the equivalent of USD 3,000 to USD 30,000, in accordance with Article 73 of the PRC’s law on Protection of the Marine Environment. |
Please click below to read the related Circular
Source: The London P&I Club
