Experts look at how region can navigate to ‘green port’ compliance

The responsible and eco-friendly disposal of maritime waste is an agenda-topping issue for port authorities everywhere – and it’s a matter of particular concern in the Caribbean region, which has been struggling to comply with the requirements of the international marine pollution (MARPOL) convention. In the following two articles, some ideas on how the Caribbean can negotiate its way through to regional compliance are put forward by experts in this field. 

Implementation of MARPOL in the Caribbean

By Alejandro Trillo*

The Caribbean has been designated a MARPOL Special Area since 1991, with garbage discharge requirements coming into force in May 2011. Yet only about a quarter of countries in the region have introduced the minimum legislation to enforce MARPOL. A region-wide enforcement plan is clearly needed.

In 2010 the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization adopted IMO Resolution MEPC.191(60). This resolution established 1 May 2011 as the date for entry into force of the garbage discharge requirements for the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR) Special Area under MARPOL Annex V.

A Special Area is defined under MARPOL Annex V as an area for which stringent requirements apply to the discharge of garbage from ships. The WCR was designated as a Special Area under MARPOL Annex V in 1991 but the discharge requirements did not take effect immediately as adequate port reception facilities were not available in all ports within the WCR region.

Read more: MARPOL