The role of ships and ports in protecting the marine environment



Ships and ports must do all they can to protect the marine environment. There are international laws that ships and ports must obey. No pollution, such as rubbish, oil or chemicals from ships, must ever get into the waters of a port or harbour. If this happens there are severe penalties for the ship and the ship’s Captain and/or crew.
International laws for ships are made at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, England. For more information see www.imo.org

AUSMEPA’s Ships and the Marine Environment education program is also on the AUSMEPA website. It provides more information on the international laws that are made for the safety of ships and the protection of the marine environment.