The above regulations and existing waste management and operational practices operating within ports and harbours, effectively reduce the amounts of port and ship waste that reaches the marine environment, particularly with regard to MARPOL wastes. However, no matter how carefully regulated and managed wastes are within a port or harbour, there will always be risks of accidental and illegal discharges from ships, port operations and other non-port related sources. The sections below discuss the potential for these wastes to cause contamination or pollution of the marine environment.

Oil

Garbage

Sewage

Ballast water

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