Strengthening Ship Sewage Management: Moving Beyond Guidelines in the 'Technical Policy for Ship Water Pollution Prevention and Control'

While the 'Technical Policy for Ship Water Pollution Prevention and Control' emphasizes the importance of managing both black water and grey water discharge from ships, its status as a guiding document without legal enforcement mechanisms raises concerns about its effectiveness. The policy advocates for a phased approach to grey water control, including the collection and storage of sewage in designated onboard devices. Furthermore, it recommends closing drainage valves when navigating water areas where sewage discharge is prohibited, such as drinking water source protection zones. These measures are crucial to prevent sewage from contaminating the marine environment. While the policy underscores the necessity of record-keeping for all control measures, its lack of legal enforceability may hinder its impact. Transforming these guidelines into enforceable regulations is essential to ensure the effective prevention of ship-based sewage pollution.