What is Garbage Management Plan (GMP) on a Ship?

Factors adding to Marine pollution comprise of not only the effects of oil and harmful gas emissions but also garbage generated on the ship during normal operation. Such garbage matter includes plastic, synthetics, oil rags, cardboard boxes etc., which are equally harmful for marine organisms and environment as is oil to the sea.

What is the Definition of “Garbage” on Ship?

Garbage on ship means all kind of victual domestic and operational waste excluding fish and parts thereof, food waste, generated during the normal operations of the ship and liable to be disposed of continuously or periodically except those substances which are listed in other Annexes of MARPOL convention.

Garbage Management Plan
Credits: Videotel/YouTube

What is Garbage Management Plan (GMP)?

The Garbage Management Plan is a complete guideline which comprises of a written procedure for collecting, storing, processing, and disposing of garbage generated onboard ship as per regulations provided in Annex V of MARPOL.

Training must be given to ship’s staff for proper garbage disposal onboard ship and for knowledge on garbage disposal regulations at sea and in special areas.

Where is GMP Applicable?

A GMP is mandatory for all ships above 100GT and on ships certified to carry 15 persons or more and it is written in the working language of the crew as per the guidelines developed by the organisation.

GMP to be retained onboard as a record for a period of two years from the date of last entry.

A Responsible officer is to be in charge for maintaining garbage management plan on ship. Normally chief officer is responsible along with 2nd engineer (engine department).

Brief about GMP

An approved garbage management plan must consist of the following-

  • Ships details.
  • List of equipments for handling garbage on ship.
  • Placards to be posted for disposal criteria.
  • Possible local recycling arrangements.
  • Written procedures for Collecting Garbage.
  • Garbage segregation description to avoid intermixing of garbage which includes Identification of suitable receptacles for collection & separation.
  • Garbage processing methods available on the ship.
  • Garbage storing methods and garbage station.
  • Garbage disposal methods.
  • Entry to be made in garbage record book.
  • Emergency and accidental discharge criteria.
  • Needs of the reception facilities.
  • Identify the available operating & maintenance procedures of collecting equipment on board.
  • Describe the training or education programs to facilitate the processing of garbage.
  • Identify the location of each collection point.

You may also like to read-What is Marine Debris ? &  What is Green Ship Recycling?

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5 Comments

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