The Club’s correspondents for Ghana has highlighted the recent increase in MARPOL fines levied against vessels calling in Ghana's ports (Takoradi and Tema), particularly with relation to the discharge of sewage.
Members are advised that the government in Thailand is implementing strict measures to ensure that prohibited plastic waste is not permitted to be imported or entered into the country. This follows a recent national police investigation, with the discovery of smuggled & prohibited waste.
Since 24 types of solid waste were added on to the import ban list on August 10, 2017, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Commerce and two other Ministries of China jointly issued the announcement of the Amendment on Administrative Catalogue of Waste Importation on April 13, 2018. Read more from the UK Club correspondents in the attached Circular.
The amendments include revised guidelines and format for the Garbage Record Book (GRB) required to be maintained on board ships. The new revised GRB is divided into Parts I & II.
The introduction of invasive aquatic species (IAS) associated with global shipping has been identified as a significant threat to the world's oceans and coastal ecosystems. Research suggests that 70-80% of IAS introductions occur through biofouling, and new areas are constantly being invaded.
The Ministry of Transport ("MOT") of China has issued a formal notice on the revision of its Provisions on Prevention of Marine Environmental Pollution Caused by Ships and Their Related Operations.
