An important step towards safer transportation of plastic pellets
It is a major problem if large amounts of tiny plastic beads, known as plastic pellets, end up in the sea. It is a form of plastic pollution that can be incredibly difficult to clean up.
Danish Shipping welcomes the adoption of the new global advisory guidelines for the transport of plastic pellets with the aim of reducing the risk of the material ending up in the sea.
"Plastic does not belong in our oceans, and we must do what we can to prevent it from ending up there. Therefore, it is a very positive development that IMO has now adopted guidelines on how to handle plastic pellets on board. I definitely hope that the next step will be to make the guidelines mandatory," said Nina Porst, Director of Climate, Environment, and Safety for Danish Shipping.
Therefore, it is a very positive development that IMO has now adopted guidelines on how to handle plastic pellets on board. I definitely hope that the next step will be to make the guidelines mandatory
The new advisory guidelines address, among other things, how plastic pellets should be packed and stowed on board.
"Shipping is by nature a global business. And moreover, plastic pellets that go overboard can end up very far from where it happened. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to adopt global guidelines that apply regardless of where you sail. I also hope that the EU, instead of implementing regional regulation, will join the work to ensure binding global regulation of the transport of plastic pellets at sea," said Nina Porst.
Facts:
Specifically, IMO recommends the following:
Plastic pellets should be packed in good quality packaging to withstand the shocks and stresses normally experienced during transport, and to prevent potential loss during transport.
Freight containers with plastic pellets should be stowed and secured correctly to minimize the risk of pollution of the marine environment. It is important to consider the safety of the ship and the well-being of the crew. Specifically, the plastic pellets should be stowed below deck, where possible, or in protected areas of exposed decks. In addition, the transport information should clearly identify the freight containers containing plastic pellets, and the sender should supplement the goods information with a special request for correct stowage placement.
Fortunately, very few containers end up in the sea. The World Shipping Council estimates that about 250 million containers are transported by ship each year. On average, 1,566 containers, or about 0.0006% of the total number, have been lost at sea per year from 2008 to 2022. Read more here.