MS Notice 10 of 2020, dated 27.05.2020, addresses the issue of garbage collection from ships calling at ports during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Directorate received reports that some ports were not permitting garbage landing due to the pandemic. The notice refers to Annex V Regulation 7(1) of MARPOL 1973/78, which mandates that governments ensure facilities for garbage reception at ports and terminals without causing undue delay to ships. Section 7(1) of the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Garbage from Ships) Rules 2009 also mandates adequate reception facilities. The issue of landing garbage ashore during the pandemic was considered, and para 5.2 DGS Order No. 02 of 2020 dated 16.03.2020 addresses it, stating that garbage should be properly disinfected to prevent COVID-19 transmission. All concerned must comply with para 5.2 of DGS Order No. 02 of 2020 dated 16.03.2020. The notice was approved by the Director General of Shipping & Additional Secretary to the Govt. of India. Contact [Capt. (Dr.) A. Daniel J Joseph], Nautical Surveyor - cum - Dy. DG (Tech. / Piracy) at danieljohn-dgs@gov.in.
Key Entities Referenced
DGS Order No. 02 of 2020: Order by the Directorate General of Shipping regarding handling garbage ashore during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MARPOL 1973/78: International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, specifying requirements for the provision of garbage reception facilities.
Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Garbage from Ships) Rules 2009: Rules mandating adequate reception facilities at ports and terminals for garbage.
Directorate General of Shipping: The Directorate that issued the notice regarding garbage collection from ships during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mumbai: Location of the Directorate General of Shipping.
F. No. 7-NT(72)/2014 Date: 27.05.2020
MS Notice 10 of 2020
Subject: Garbage collection from ships calling at ports and reception facility to all the ships
calling their ports on dealing with COVID - 19 pandemic - reg.
1. The Directorate has received representations from shipping industry that certain ports are not
providing permission for landing the garbage to shore reception facility in view of the COVID-19
pandemic.
2. It may be noted that the Annex V Regulation 7(1) of International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) 1973 / 78 mandates the Government of each Party to
the Convention undertakes to ensure the provision of facilities at ports and terminals for the reception
of garbage, without causing undue delay to ships, and according to the needs of the ships using them.
Also, section 7(1) of the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Garbage from Ships) Rules 2009
mandates that Central Government shall ensure that adequate reception facilities are provided at ports
and terminals for the reception of garbage, without causing undue delay to ships.
3. It may also be noted that this matter of landing garbage ashore due to the COVID-19 pandemic
was considered and para 5.2 DGS Order No. 02 of 2020 dated 16.03.2020 addresses the issue. The
said para 5.2 DGS Order No. 02 of 2020 dated 16.03.2020 is as follows:
“Garbage required to be landed ashore from vessels may need to be properly disinfected to ensure
that there is no possibility of transmission of the COVID-I9 disease from the landed garbage.”
4. In view of the foregoing paras, all concerned shall comply after taking adequate precautions
with the aforesaid para 5.2 of DGS Order No. 02 of 2020 dated 16.03.2020.
5. This issues with the approval of the Director General of Shipping & Additional Secretary to
the Govt. of India.
[Capt. (Dr.) A. Daniel J Joseph]
Nautical Surveyor - cum - Dy. DG (Tech. / Piracy)
Email: danieljohn-dgs@gov.in