Amendments to Government Decree improve efficiency of waste management in ports

Amendsments to maritime environmental legislation will tighten the rules governing waste treatment in ports. The Government issued a Decree on 29 June amending the Government Decree on Environmental Protection in Maritime Transport. The amended Decree will take effect on 1 July 2021.

Amendments to the Act on Environmental Protection in Maritime Transport entering into force on 1 July will also prevent littering of marine and inland waters and discharges of hazardous substances into waters. The aim is to improve waste management in ports to ensure that boaters and seafarers deliver waste to port on a regular basis. The Decree specifies the requirements for ports. These legislative changes are related to implementation of the updated Directive (EU) 2019/883 on port reception facilities for the delivery of waste from ships.

The Decree specifies the reception of waste, waste charges and precautionary measures

The Decree permits reception of waste at a port either with a fixed reception device, or with an on-demand reception service if necessary. All ports must draw up a waste management plan. The Decree specifies the details that must be included in a port waste management plan.

The Decree stipulates that waste charges will vary according to the hazardous nature of the waste and the costs incurred in handling the waste. Short sea shipping is also defined as a criterion under the Directive for reducing waste charges.

The Decree also prescribes required precautionary measures when harmful cargoes or fuel are transferred between vessels outside port areas. For example, a vessel must arrange for an auxiliary vessel with adequate damage prevention equipment to attend when transferring dangerous goods or delivering fuel. The Decree also prescribes the details that a vessel must notify to the authorities in advance when transferring cargo or delivering fuel.

Some technical amendments have also been made to the Decree.

What next?

The President of the Republic ratified the Act Amending the Act on Environmental Protection in Maritime Transport on 29 June. The Act and the Decree will enter into force on 1 July 2021. It is estimated that hundreds of additional ports will now fall within the scope of regulation.

Inquiries:

Laura Sarlin, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 50 447 7597, laura.sarlin(at)lvm.fi, Twitter @SarlinLaura