Sixth Meeting of the Mediterranean Network of Law Enforcement Officials relating to MARPOL within the framework of the Barcelona Convention (MENELAS) - Press Release – Dec 04, 2024

    Sixth Meeting of the Mediterranean Network of Law Enforcement Officials relating to MARPOL within the framework of the Barcelona Convention (MENELAS) - Press Release

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    Mediterranean sees encouraging progress in tackling illicit ship pollution discharges

    The Sixth Meeting of the Mediterranean Network of Law Enforcement Officials relating to MARPOL within the framework of the Barcelona Convention (MENELAS), organised by REMPEC, gathered 18 participants representing 15 Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (14 Mediterranean coastal States and the European Union) as well as 2 regional and international organisations, in Lija, Malta from 4 to 5 December 2024.

    The Meeting, which was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Mediterranean Trust Fund (MTF) and the in-kind contribution of the Government of Malta, fostered cooperation between the participating members of MENELAS to improve the enforcement of the international regulations covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships.

    Based on the work of the Working Group within MENELAS undertaken by correspondence ahead of the Meeting, the participants actively contributed to the discussions by sharing their opinions as well as experiences on the various topics of the Meeting, notably:

    • a consolidated draft decision to apply criteria for a common minimum level of fines for each offense provided for under the Annexes to MARPOL, within the framework of the Barcelona Convention; and
    • a draft Legal Analysis to assess the implications of the possible creation and operation of a regional “Blue Fund”, including in terms of governance and financing, in the Mediterranean region.

    The Meeting agreed to include the following items in the MENELAS Programme of Activities for the period 2026-2027, subject to the outcome of relevant discussions at the Sixteenth Meeting of the Focal Points of REMPEC to be held in Malta on 13-15 May 2025:

    • the further work on the consolidated draft decision, as adjusted, together with the development of draft guidelines in order to ensure the uniform and effective implementation of the said decision, in the Mediterranean region;
    • the carrying out of a detailed study on the possible criteria and possible minimum level of fines for each offense provided for under the Annexes to MARPOL; and
    • the further development of modalities of possible creation and operation of a regional “Blue Fund”, including in terms of governance and financing.

    The Secretariat will inform the Sixteenth Meeting of the Focal Points of REMPEC on the outcome of the discussions and the progress achieved with a view to seeking guidance on the further work.