Govt mulls reform to maritime transport law
Published : 13 Nov 2019, 01:52
Updated : 13 Nov 2019, 09:49
The Ministry of Transport and Communications is preparing legislation that will bring into force the amendments required by the Directive in Finland, said an official press release.
During the project, consultation events will be arranged for the key stakeholders.
The aim is to submit a draft government proposal for comments in spring 2020.
The legislative amendments will enter into force no later than June 2021. The progress of the project can be monitored through the Gateway to Information on Government Projects.
The legislation on the delivery of waste from ships to ports will be updated. The aim is to improve the treatment and reception of waste in ports, which will reduce the generation of marine litter and, in particular, the discharge of plastic into the seas.
The payment of waste fees will be reformed. A fee will be introduced across the EU that will entitle ships to deliver all garbage on board to a port regardless of the amount of waste left in the port by the ship. Such a system is already in place in the Baltic Sea countries, including Finland. In Finland, the payment of fees based on the recommendation of the Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea (HELCOM) covers not only garbage but also oily waste and sewage.
Fishing and recreational craft are also included in the payment system defined in the Directive. In future, the port charges must also cover the reception of waste from these vessels, irrespective of the quantity involved. The payment system also covers waste collected in nets during fishing operations. In addition, according to the Directive, fishing and recreational vessels of more than 45 metres in length will be required to submit an advance waste notification.
Separate collection of different types of waste from ships will have to be arranged in ports. For example, garbage will be separated on board ships in accordance with international rules. The separate collection can be used to ensure that the waste will be recycled or reused. In the future, ports will have to grant discounts on waste fees to vessels that manage their waste in an environmentally friendly manner.