A growing concern for marine, coastal and land-based ecosystems is the abundance of microplastics in the world’s oceans. If plastic pellets are accidentally released during transport – such as in the event of a shipping container being lost overboard – these small granules, also known as nurdles, cause pollution in the oceans, rivers and along coastlines and impact fishing, aquaculture and tourism. They can also pose a threat to wildlife, as they can be mistaken for food by birds, fish and other marine species.
MSC is committed to addressing this issue. As a signatory of the Sustainable Ocean Principles and in line with its commitments to protect marine ecosystems, the company seeks to secure the health of our oceans by taking proactive steps to minimize the pollution risk posed by plastic pellets.
MSC supports the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Strategy to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships, which aims for zero plastic waste discharges by 2025.
At last week’s meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) marine litter from ships was on the agenda, with discussions focusing on the development of mandatory requirements aimed at reducing the environmental risks associated with the carriage of plastic pellets in freight containers, which MSC supports. During the meeting, guidelines on good practice relating to the clean-up of plastic pellets from ships were also approved by the IMO – a step forward in the global fight against plastic pollution.
MSC has adopted voluntary measures to ensure the proper stowage and transport of plastic pellets in accordance with the IMO-approved Recommendations for the Carriage of Plastic Pellets by Sea in Freight Containers.
The company properly stows and secures containers loaded with plastic pellets on MSC vessels to prevent any incidents potentially impacting marine and coastal environments, while minimizing risks associated with difficult weather conditions that could cause container loss. Specifically, containers loaded with plastic pellets are stowed under the deck wherever reasonably practicable, or inboard in sheltered areas of exposed decks.
Additionally, MSC is proud to partner with initiatives such as TopTier, a multi-stakeholder effort aimed at improving the transport, stowing and securing of containers. MSC was the first shipping company in the world to implement DNV’s Anti-Roll Assist System for Containerships (ARCS) across 100 of its vessels. This allows MSC captains to predict and reduce the risk of container loss due to challenging weather conditions.
As a member of the World Shipping Council, the company works closely with industry peers on collective positions and practical measures for adoption by carriers, such as the classification of plastic pellets as hazardous substances.
Source: MSC
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