Upcoming MARPOL Seminar in Curacao

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Regional Coordinating Unit for the Caribbean Environment Program (UNEP CAR/RCU) and RAC/REMPEITC-Carib will be hosting a seminar on the ratification and implementation of MARPOL Annex V aboard the M/V FREEWINDS during its port visit in Curacao. The seminar will be held in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles and will convene on Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 at 08:00 hours. The seminar will be hosted by the M/V FREEWINDS. The objective of the seminar is to facilitate the exchange of information between participants on legislative and administrative procedures regarding MARPOL Annex V, specifically calling attention to the issue of waste reception facilities in the Wider Caribbean Region with a goal to placing the Special Area provisions of MARPOL Annex V into effect. It is expected that this seminar will have a significant impact on the achievement of international regulations for the protection of the marine environment in the region.

Background

The Wider Caribbean Island States and Territories have expressed concern over the continuing degradation of the Marine Environment in the Region and the need to restore and maintain this environment. Of particular concern to Governments and civil society is the growing unsustainable use of coastal and oceanic marine resources which, if not reversed, could undermine the very basis of social and economic development in these Small Island and low-lying coastal states.

 
In the last decennia several activities were internationally developed for the protection of the marine environment, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 or commonly referred to as the MARPOL 73/78.  This Convention applies to all ships, including small pleasure craft and has six annexes relating to minimizing pollution from vessels from all sources.

 

Taking also into concern that the Wider Caribbean became a “Special Area” under MARPOL 73/78 Annex V (Garbage), States and Territories were encouraged to implement and enforce these regulations. In the early 1990’s the World Bank, IMO and GEF undertook two initiatives to address Ship-Generated Waste.  While these initiatives and the 24 million US dollar OECS Ship-Generated Waste Management and Solid Waste Management Project were successful in addressing the Solid Waste Management issues on many islands, they did not achieve the outcome of developing adequate port waste reception facilities to put the Special Area provision of MARPOL V into effect for the Caribbean Sea. The Special Area provision effectively makes the Caribbean Sea a no dumping area for garbage.

 
Although a majority of States and Territories are a party to the MARPOL 73/78 and have ratified or assessed to a number of Annexes (in particular Annex I-II-III and V) and implemented the regulations in the country’s legislation, attention should be paid to the development and reporting of the status of port reception facilities and ascension to Annex IV – regulations for the prevention of pollution by Sewage from ships and Annex VI - regulations for the prevention of Air pollution from ships.

 

During the MARPOL & Marine litter workshop held in early 2007 in Aruba, the M/V FREEWINDS offered to host a MARPOL V seminar during her itinerary in the eastern Caribbean.  The seminar will educate policy makers, environmental officials, maritime administrators and waste management authorities on the ratification and implementation of MARPOL 73/78 Annex V with an emphasis on the reporting and status of port waste reception facilities in the Wider Caribbean Region.

 
Since then, RAC/REMPEITC-Carib with support of the IMO, and the U.N. Environment Program, Regional Coordinating Unit for the Caribbean Environment Program (UNEP CAR/RCU) and the M/V FREEWINDS have conducted seminars in Antigua, Dominica, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia and Barbados.  A sixth seminar will be held on board the M/V FREEWINDS on May 20^th, 2008 in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. 

 

 
OBJECTIVE: 
The seminar is designed to facilitate the exchange of information between participants on legislative and administrative procedures regarding MARPOL Annex V, specifically calling attention to the issue of waste reception facilities in the Wider Caribbean Region with a goal of placing the Special Area provisions of MARPOL V into effect.  It is expected that this seminar will have a significant impact on the county’s obligation to meet with international regulations for the protection of the marine environment in the region.

 

Additionally, the seminar will educate the general public on the subject of marine pollution and provide an overview of IMO’s and UNEP’s role in preventing these occurrences.

 

DURATION AND LOCATION:

Duration of the seminar is approximately nine hours.  The seminar will be held aboard of the M/V FREEWINDS during its port visit in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles on Tuesday, May 20^th, 2008.

 

ORGANIZATION:

The seminar is being organized by the RAC / REMPEITC-Carib, with support of the IMO, the UNEP CAR/RCU, the government of the Netherlands Antilles, and the M/V FREEEWINDS.

All correspondence relating to arrangements for this seminar should be addressed to:

 
            RAC / REMPEITC-Carib
            Carla Bikker
            Seru Mahuma z/n, Aviation and Meteorology Building
            Willemstad, Curacao
            Netherlands Antilles
            Tel:      +599 9 868 4612 / 868 3409
            Fax:     +599 9 868 4996
            Email:  carlada@attglobal.net or imoctr@attglobal.net

 

 
COUNTRY STATUS REPORT:

During the seminar, the governments of Curacao, Bonaire, Aruba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, and Saba will be asked give a presentation on their island’s status of waste reception facilities.  These governments should assign a representative to prepare and present the following:

• Current handling of waste and in particular of ship generated garbage waste
• Waste and garbage processing facilities, capabilities and quantities processed
•  List of agencies and stakeholders involved
•  Legislation and policies
•  Future plans related to processing of ship generated garbage
•  Status ratification of MARPOL, especially Annex V
•  Coastal and reef cleanup activities
• Data needs
• Challenges and future plans