Stronger regulations needed to protect our oceans

Substandard systems put oceans at risk

The MARPOL Convention, which governs ship pollution, is simply not enough. The regulations allow ships to meet minimal standards, enabling them to operate with wastewater treatment systems that fail to properly handle harmful substances. These ships continue to release pollutants such as black, grey and
oily water into the oceans for decades, contributing to long-term environmental degradation.

Although there are fewer detentions related to MARPOL Annex I violations today than in the past this does not mean that the equipment being used is any better than it was 20 years ago. The reality is that even Port State Control seems to have lost focus in addressing the issue.

They no longer prioritise these inspections or hold ships accountable for failing wastewater systems. A quick look at SkyTruth’s satellite images reveals just how serious the problem still is.

The issue lies in the weakness of the current regulations. MARPOL sets the bar too low. Shipowners comply with the bare minimum instead of investing in advanced technologies that were already available 30 years ago and remain so today.

Newer systems are capable of reducing pollutants far beyond current regulatory standards, but there is no incentive to adopt these technologies. Instead, loopholes allow ships to legally pollute, with no accountability for the damage they cause. Every vessel equipped with outdated systems continues to discharge waste into our seas, while we turn a blind eye to the real environmental cost.

The solution is simple

We need to close the gaps and enforce stricter requirements that mandate the use of advanced water treatment technologies from day one. The shipping industry must be held accountable for its environmental footprint, and wastewater treatment must become a priority in maritime regulations.

By Peter Lanzén, co-founder of Marinfloc

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