The main means of avoiding, minimising and addressing the potential effects of port, harbour and ship generated wastes on the marine environment are provided by the following management practices:

• the continued education and motivation of port and harbour users,
• the production of waste management plans and provision of adequate reception facilities,
• the preparation and implementation of oil and chemical contingency plans, and
• the observation by ships of IMO guidelines to avoid introducing non-native species and contaminants in ships’ ballast waters.

Many of these management practices are regulated by other authorities and bodies, including the IMO, MCA, port state control, the environment agencies, MAFF, and local authorities, and not the port and harbour authorities themselves. The role of these bodies in waste management regulation and guidance is described in the following sections. The ports can, and should, support campaigns initiated by these bodies to ensure that measures to avoid, minimise and address environmental impacts are implemented effectively.

Port waste management planning for ship generated waste: Oil and garbage

Emergency response: Oil and chemical spill contingency planning

Ballast water management

Sewage wastes from recreational craft

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