Jamaica gets tough on ship waste
The MAJ is getting tougher on ship waste
Protection of the Caribbean Sea and the MARPOL Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships took centre stage in Jamaica this week.
The Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) joined the National Solid Waste Management Authority to present a training course on the Collection & Disposal of Ship Generated Garbage and Commercial Solid Waste.
The course was designed to build awareness of the provisions of the MARPOL Convention and to standardise procedures relating to the collection and disposal of ship generated garbage.
Bertrand Smith, MAJ Director of Legal Affairs, explained: "The obligations of Port States to give full and complete effect to the provisions of Annex V extends beyond the presence of reception facilities to ensuring that those who receive and manage the garbage are appropriately qualified”.
Jamaica, along with the other Caribbean countries, is enforcing stricter standards on ships calling at its ports of entry and marinas or when they are transiting territorial waters. This includes ships now having to advise on the volumes and types of garbage for discharge at least 24 hours before arrival at a Jamaican port.
This is an important measure to protect the fragile marine resources on which most of the Caribbean countries depend for tourism and fishing.
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