Cooperation Agreement between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea Protection (IMELS)

    Introduction

    In accordance with the Cooperation Agreement between UNEP and IMELS and relevant mandate, REMPEC has been actively working to contribute to the Enhancement of Marine Litter Management, with a specific focus on improving the management of sea-based marine litter, especially those generated by ships by means of putting into effect incentives, such as the No-Special-Fee system for the use of port reception facility (PRF),  for the waste to be discharged at port, rather than at sea, and exploring ways for marinas to ensure adequate provision of PRF and efficient delivery of waste. To achieve the objectives of the mandate, REMPEC has been coordinating and organizing targeted pilots and holding national meetings in the relevant beneficiary countries under the Cooperation agreement.

    As of 31 January 2020, 6 pilots and 3 national meetings have been carried out in the following countries:

    • Albania (pilots, national meeting)
    • Montenegro (pilots, national meeting)
    • Slovenia (pilots, national meeting)
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina (national meeting)

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    Pilots

    REMPEC undertakes the assignment of selecting, in consultation with the relevant national authorities, major ports and marinas in the beneficiary countries of the Cooperation Agreement between IMELS and UNEP and implementing pilots therein, aiming to better manage sea-based marine litter, with  a specific focus put on the choice and application of cost recovery systems (pilots in ports) and the provision of reception facilities, and the delivery of ship generated wastes (pilots in marinas).

    The chief expected outcomes of the pilots are:

    • A targeted diagnosis on the application of the CRS used in the related ports;
    • The proposal on the development of specific waste reception and handling plan for the related ports and marinas;
    • The possible revisions to the existing specific waste reception and handling plans of the related port and marina; and
    • Expert advice to be provided on the choice and application of suitable CRS, especially the No-Special-Fee system, and on the provision of reception facilities and the delivery of ship-generated wastes.

    As of 31 January, 6 pilots have been implemented in the following countries:

    • Albania
    • Montenegro
    • Slovenia

    National Meetings

    REMPEC has been facilitating the organisation of national meetings on the management of sea-based marine litter in the beneficiary countries of the Cooperation Agreement between IMELS and UNEP, which involve:

    • The national authorities
    • Port and marina operators
    • Shipping companies
    • Other relevant stakeholders, such as research institutes and NGOs

    The topics of the national meetings include:

    • Application of charges at reasonable costs for the use of port reception facilities or, when applicable, application of No-Special-Fee system
    • The provision of port reception facilities and the delivery of ship generated wastes
    • Updated information relevant to the obligations arising from MARPOL Annex V
    • The national legislation concerning the management of marine litter NGOs

    As of 31 January 2020, the said meetings have been conducted in the following countries:

    • Albania
    • Montenegro
    • Slovenia
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina