ISO 16304

Description / Abstract: Parties to MARPOL are obligated as Port States to ensure that port reception facilities (PRFs) adequate to meet the needs of the ships using them without causing undue delay are provided at their ports and terminals. MARPOL does not seek to regulate the management of ship generated waste at ports and terminals beyond the reception facility requirement. However, ports and terminals must observe any national and regional regulations. While these regulations exceed the scope of MARPOL, the IMO recognizes the need to manage ship generated waste at ports and terminals as part of an environmentally sound management approach for avoiding, minimizing and eliminating pollution from ships.

This International Standard applies to the management of ship generated waste regulated by MARPOL that is discharged at ports and terminals. It also covers principles and issues that should be considered in the development of a port waste management plan (PWMP), its implementation and PRF operations. The operation of any PRF is governed by the principles and procedures included in the PWMP. The procedures to operate the PRF and the development of a PWMP are closely linked and therefore are integrated into this International Standard.

This International Standard addresses the principles and issues that should be considered in:

• The development of a port waste management strategy;

• The design and operation of PRFs;

• PWMP development, implementation and compliance; and

• PRF management and accountability.

This International Standard has been designed to be used by ports of any size and capability. It does not give specifics on the size or location of PRFs in each port, but provides a list of principles to be considered and applied to any size or type of port or terminal (e.g. marina, fishing port, container terminal, oil terminal, roll on/roll off terminal, cruise terminal, ferry terminal, bulk or general cargo terminal, ship repair or recycling facility, and offshore terminal). This International Standard can also be used by those ports that have entered into regional arrangements for the provision of their PRF, or inland ports and marinas, providing that the definition of waste and its management in the national legislation of the facility are referenced accordingly. Many ports already have systems in place that work efficiently; therefore this International Standard can be used by ports with existing PRFs as well as new ports or existing ports developing new PRFs.