Malagasy stakeholders gathered in Fort-Dauphin this week for a national workshop led by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s GloLitter Partnerships Programme to develop a Port Waste Management Plan (PWMP) to protect the marine environment (7-8 July).
The plan will reflect the port’s strategic importance for the southeastern region of the country. The aim will be to align with national and local regulations as well as the diverse needs of the public and private sectors.
Mr. Armel Voavy, Director of Maritime Transport and Rivers at the Ministry of Transportation & Meteorology of Madagascar says:
“The management of ship-generated waste, particularly plastic waste, is a major challenge for the preservation of our marine ecosystems, but also for the safety and performance of our ports, which have an impact on the regional economy. It is up to each and every one of us, and in particular those of us involved in maritime transport, to take the lead in order to maintain the vision of transport as a provider of decent jobs, safe and secure, clean and a guarantor of a sustainable blue economy.”
This workshop brings together various Malagasy entities such as the Ministry of Transportation & Meteorology of Madagascar, the Port, Maritime and Waterways Agency (APMF), the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy (MEPB), the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable development, the Port Authorities, the Municipality of Fort-Dauphin (Commune Urbaine de Fort-Dauphin), as well as shipping agencies and other port users.
The event is supported on-site by IMO technical officers who are providing expert guidance to participants throughout the development of the PWMP.
This initiative marks a key step towards promoting cleaner and more sustainable maritime practices in the region.
Port Waste Management Plans as a cornerstone of marine conservation
For over 50 years, the IMO has been at the forefront of global efforts to regulate pollution from ships through international conventions and protocols.
Following the GloLitter Guidance Document on Developing Port Waste Management Plans, this workshop spurs global efforts to demonstrate and test best practices to deal with plastic waste. The plans play a key role in the environmentally sound and safe handling of waste from ships, while supporting the transition towards a more circular economy.
They set out key measures to reduce and eliminate ship-sourced pollution, along with practical procedures to ensure compliance with international regulations.
As part of Madagascar’s obligations as a State Party to the Annex V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Annex V), the PWMP will include measures to ensure that port reception facilities are adequate for collecting ship-generated waste at all ports.
This workshop reflects Madagascar's commitment through the adoption of the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Reduction of Sea-Based Marine Litter (2023–2026).
Photo credit: Hasina Ratsimbazafy
