Stringent discharge requirements to take effect in Gulf area

STRINGENT requirements for the discharge of ship-generated waste, new rules backed by the UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO), will take effect in less than a year following the completion of adequate shore-side handling facilities.

This comes as Gulf states handling and treatment facilities have come to meet standards set under new rules called MARPOL Annex I for oil and Annex V for garbage and for other ship wastes in ports, terminals and ship repair ports in the area.

Countries bordering the Mediterranean and Caribbean are making stronger efforts to provide adequate handling facilities for ship wastes, according to the IMO communique.