Using Port State Control to combat plastic pollution

Strengthening PSC regimes

MADAGASCAR: African nations united to strengthen Port State control (PSC) and combat plastic pollution at sea with the support of the GloLitter Partnerships Project in Madagascar earlier this month.

Hosted at the Port of Ehoala, a training brought together 10 African nations to strengthen their capacity in ensuring the enforcement, through Port State Control of MARPOL Annex V regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships. IMO's GloLitter Project supports maritime administrations to tackle this global issue.

Eleven PSC Officers (PSCOs) were given the tools to sharpen their skills by practical demonstration on ship-based litter control in compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex V.

Authorised PSCOs are empowered to inspect vessels and to verify that proper waste management procedures are being followed. By enforcing these standards, PSCO plays a key role in helping reduce sea-based plastic litter and protecting the marine environment.

“This workshop is a strong testament to the growing commitment of our States to combat marine pollution from ship-generated waste, particularly plastic litter. The issue that brings us together today is of vital importance, as it directly concerns the preservation of our marine ecosystems and the sustainability of maritime activities,” said Redida Valisoa Erick, Regional Director of Transports and Meteorology of Madagascar

The training gathered national stakeholders, including port, environmental and fisheries authorities. It was hosted by Ministry of Transports and Meteorology, the Maritime, Port and Waterways Agency (APMF) of Madagascar, and the Port of Ehoala. Ten countries attended the event: Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, the Gambia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, and the United Republic of Tanzania.

MARPOL Annex V in action

On any voyage, ships generate all kinds of waste, from food scraps and cargo residues to lost fishing gear and plastic litter. MARPOL Annex V plays a central role in minimizing the amount of garbage entering the ocean from ships.

More than 150 countries have voluntarily committed to Annex V, which sets out a comprehensive framework to tackle ship-generated waste. Key provisions include mandatory garbage record-keeping, stricter controls in designated "special areas", and specific regulations for the disposal of cargo residues.

“The focus of this workshop, MARPOL Annex V, remains one of the core legal instruments governing the protection of the marine environment. However, the full effectiveness of this instrument relies heavily on its implementation – and particularly on your role, PSC Officers, as enforcers of international compliance,” said Mr Erick.

GloLitter Partnerships project 

The GloLitter Partnerships project, one of the projects under the OceanLitter Programme at IMO, is supporting Small Islands Developing States and Least Developed Countries in identifying opportunities for the prevention and reduction of marine plastic litter from sea-based sources.  

Jointly implemented by the IMO and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and funded by the Government of Norway, the Programme supports the objectives of the IMO's Strategy and Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships in line with MARPOL Annex V and London Convention and London Protocol, as well as FAO's Voluntary Guidelines on the Marking of Fishing Gear.

GloLitter empowers partner countries with the knowledge and tools needed to drive legal, policy, and institutional reforms in the shipping and fisheries sectors, promoting the engagement of women in efforts to combat marine plastic pollution. 

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