Intercargo welcomes new IMO ruling on Port Reception Facilities

Amended MARPOL Annex V regulations on disposal of such residues had entered force on January 1, but many ports still lack the reception facilities stipulated, Intercargo and other shipowner bodies had pointed out to the IMO.

IMO will now send an official Circular to Industry providing shipowners / operators with some flexibility and clear guidance on procedures to be adopted when encountering a lack of adequate port reception facilities for HWW.

The Circular will state that, until 31 December 2015, HWW from holds previously containing solid bulk cargoes classified as HME may be discharged at sea (outside Special Areas) providing certain conditions are met, including that the ship is more than 12nm offshore, solid cargo residues are removed from holds to be washed, filters are used in bilge wells, and there is proper recording of the discharge.

Intercargo’s technical manager Ian Harrison commented: “The decision reached is good for IMO and Industry in that it defines clear responsibilities, provides clarity for ships so that they will not fall foul of inadvertent MARPOL transgressions and otherwise creates an internationally appropriate, environmentally responsible and pragmatic solution to a very real problem.”

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