With the support of the GloLitter Partnerships project maritime authorities from five Pacific countries (Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu) convened in Port Vila, Vanuatu, to enhance their capacity to address marine plastic litter from ships, a growing challenge across the region.
1-3 December: Regional training and demonstration on MARPOL Annex V Port State Control (PSC)
Eight Port State Control Officers participated in the training on Port State Control (PSC) to improve compliance and enforcement of MARPOL Annex V which regulates the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships.
Through theoretical and practical training and demonstrations, participants strengthened their capacity to conduct effective inspections of ships calling at national ports. This is essential to verify compliance with international regulations, including requirements on managing plastic litter on board, such as garbage record books and garbage management plans. The training also covered the impacts of marine plastic litter and international response measures.
Mr. Noah Patrick Kouback, Acting Director General, Ministry of Fisheries, Oceans and Maritime Affairs, said:
“For Vanuatu, the Pacific Ocean is more than a resource: it is our heritage, our economy and our future. Yet this future is increasingly threatened by marine plastic litter, including waste originating from maritime activities. The GloLitter Partnerships project plays a vital role in strengthening our regional capacity to address this challenge.”
4-5 December: Vanuatu national workshop on the development of a Port Waste Management Plan
The workshop brought together 20 Vanuatu nationals from maritime, fisheries, health and environmental administrations to strengthen their knowledge of best practices for developing Port Waste Management Plans (PWMPs).
As a result, a PWMP for Port Vila was developed, outlining safe, efficient and environmentally sound handling of waste from ships and port operations. The plan sets out practical procedures to ensure compliance with MARPOL Annex V, including adequate port reception facilities for garbage and waste management. It will be officially adopted, published and replicated across all ports in Vanuatu for uniform national implementation.
