Dumping garbage from ships will become illegal ... on 1st May 2009
10 April 2008

The Marine Environment Protection Committee of IMO (International Maritime Organization) at its 57th Session adopted, a few days ago, a resolution establishing May 1st, 2009, as the date on which the MARPOL Annex V (Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships) special area regulations shall take effect in the Mediterranean Sea.

From that date, and for all ships, disposal into the Mediterranean Sea of the following is prohibited:  all plastics (including synthetic ropes, synthetic fishing nets and plastic garbage bags) plus all other garbage, including paper products, rags, glass metal, bottles, crockery, dunnage, lining and packing materials.

The adoption of the resolution follows the notification at the same MEPC session by Albania, Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey, representing States bordering the Mediterranean Sea special area, that adequate reception facilities for garbage are provided in all the relevant ports within the region.  This condition was required in view of the special area status of the Mediterranean Sea.