The Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 9) met from 19-23 February 2024. The PPR Sub-Committee deals with pollution prevention and response within the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) remit. This ranges from all annexes of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) through to the control and management of harmful aquatic organisms in ships' ballast water and sediments; biofouling; antifouling systems; pollution preparedness, response and cooperation for oil and hazardous and noxious substances; and the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships. One of the key issues discussed at PPR 10 was marine litter.
Action Plan to address marine plastic litter from ships
PPR 11 finalised the draft MEPC circular on recommendations for the carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers. The recommendations include the requirement for plastic pellets to be packed in good quality packaging which should be sufficient to endure the handling and conditions encountered during transport. Packaging should be constructed in a manner that prevents any loss of contents. Transport information should clearly identify freight containers containing plastic pellets. The shipper should supplement the cargo information with a special request requiring proper stowage. Freight containers containing plastic pellets should be properly stowed and secured to minimise the hazards to the marine environment. Whenever possible containers with plastic pellets should be stowed under deck or inboard in sheltered areas.
The draft circular on recommendations for the carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers will be sent to MEPC 81 in March 2024 for approval. The development of amendments to appropriate mandatory instruments in MARPOL Annex III will be considered at the next PPR session.
The draft IMO Guidelines on good practice relating to clean-up of plastic pellets from ship-source releases which serve as practical guidance to Member States when responding to ship-source releases of plastic pellets were finalised and will be submitted to MEPC 81 for approval. These guidelines highlight how the response to spills of plastic pellets might differ from oil spill responses. The document provides broad guidance on the development of strategies relevant to national contingency plans and also practical guidance relevant to developing smaller-scale site specific response plans.
As plastic pellet response is still at an early stage with many techniques still being developed, the guidance is based on recent cases. It is as a living document that will be updated as research evolves and more experience is gained. The guidelines make reference to possible interactions with other substances but the document does not provide response strategies for plastic pellets mixed with oil. Guidance for responding to oil mixed with plastic debris should be taken from alternative guidelines which cover oil spill response.
PPR 11 re-established a correspondence group to further consider draft amendments to MARPOL Annex V with regard to reporting the loss or discharge of fishing gear.
IUMI was represented in the Correspondence Group on Marine Litter, which preceded PPR 11, by Jens Jaeger, Head of Marine & Aviation at the German Insurance Association (GDV) and a member of IUMI’s Policy Forum.