Tackling marine litter: Council agrees its stance on port reception facilities | WPN World People News

Ships should not gain any financial advantage by dumping waste at sea. To combat dumping, on June 7, the Council adopted a general approach on updated rules on port reception facilities which will provide incentives for ships to dispose of their waste on land.

"This is an important tool for making maritime transport more environmentally friendly," said Ivaylo Moskovski, Bulgarian Minister for Transport, Information Technology and Communications. "It will help us protect our seas from plastic waste, derelict fishing gear and other rubbish that currently ends up harming our marine environment."

Under the reform, ships will have to pay an indirect fee, which will give them the right to deliver their waste to a port and which will have to be paid regardless of whether or not they deliver any waste. This fee will also apply to fishing vessels and recreational craft, which means that it will also tackle the disposal of end-of-life fishing nets and passively fished waste in the sea. The fee will be based on the principle of cost recovery.

Under the 'green ship' concept, a reduced waste fee will be applied for ships that can demonstrate sustainable on-board waste management.

In addition, this revision of the current directive on port reception facilities from 2000 will improve the efficiency of maritime operations in port by reducing the administrative burden for industry and other stakeholders. It will make the directive consistent with EU waste legislation, for example by stipulating that ports must have waste reception and handling plans. Finally, it will align EU legislation with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), which has been amended since the adoption of the current directive.

Landlocked member states which do not have ports or ships flying their flag will not be obliged to transpose the directive or certain parts of it. The text agreed is the Council's position for negotiations with the European Parliament, on June 7. The final text must be approved by both the Council and the European Parliament before it can enter into force.

Source: European Council Council of the European Union