ARTICLE · 31 MARCH 2012

Marine pollution law in NSW is brought into line with MARPOL

Clayton Utz

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The Marine Pollution Bill 2011 (NSW) was passed by the Legislative Assembly on 7 March 2012 and implements the MARPOL convention.

AustraliaEnvironment

Dean Gerakiteys

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Key Points:

Ship masters and owners will have to implement more comprehensive waste management and emergency planning and reporting procedures, or risk being liable for heavy penalties under the new Marine Pollution Act.

There are now new offences prohibiting the discharge of harmful substances in packaged form and discharges of sewage and garbage into State waters, with penalties of up to a maximum of $1.1 million for corporations.

The Marine Pollution Bill 2011 (NSW) was passed by the Legislative Assembly without amendment on 7 March 2012 and will commence on a date to be proclaimed.

The Bill implements the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 (more commonly referred to as the MARPOL convention) in NSW.

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