Provision of Ship Generated Waste Reception Service (WRS)
Introduction
As a member country of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (1973/78), Sri Lanka, through Section 21 of the Marine Pollution Prevention Act No. 35 of 2008, has mandated the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) to provide a waste reception facility for ships. MEPA offers this facility through registered service providers who supply waste reception facilities to ships arriving at Sri Lankan ports. Sections 21 and 51 of the Marine Pollution Prevention Act No. 35 of 2008 entrust the Marine Environment Protection Authority with handling ship-generated waste issues. In line with these provisions, the Marine Environmental Protection (Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2016 were published in Gazette No. 1996/27 on December 6, 2016. As a result, the waste reception service for ship-generated waste is available at all commercial ports in Sri Lanka.
Objectives
The objectives of the Waste Reception Service are to:
- Prevent, minimize, or control the disposal of ship-generated waste into the marine environment.
- Fulfill the obligatory requirements of the international MARPOL 73/78 convention.
- Provide adequate waste reception services to ships without causing undue delays.
- Ensure Sri Lankan ports meet international standards and promote the sustainability of maritime industries.
- Ensure that ship waste disposal operations comply with national standards.
- Generate additional income for the government.
Validity Period of WRS Annual Registration
The registration is valid for one calendar year from the effective date of registration.
Terms and Conditions
All terms and conditions for the annual registration of service providers are published in Gazette No. 1996/27 on December 6, 2016, as the Marine Environmental Protection (Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2016.
Procedure for Annual Registration of Service Providers
To register, service providers must submit the following documents and fulfill certain conditions:
- A copy of the certificate of incorporation issued by the Registrar General of Companies under the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007.
- A copy of the license issued by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority under the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Act No. 51 of 1979, authorizing the operation within a port for the appropriate category.
- A copy of the clearance letter from the Sri Lanka Customs Department for collecting waste from ships.
- A copy of the Scheduled Waste Management License issued by the Central Environmental Authority under the National Environment Act No. 47 of 1980 for collecting, storing, transporting, and disposing of hazardous oily waste.
- A copy of the permit for solid waste disposal issued by the respective local government authority or any other agency approved by the Authority.
- A copy of the permit for sewage disposal issued by the respective local government authority or any other agency approved by the Authority.
- A copy of the hose testing certificate for oil-removal hoses issued by an ISO-certified hose testing company.
- Details of personnel involved in reception operations.
- Details of safety equipment available for personnel engaged in reception operations.
- Details of combating equipment available for mitigating accidental spillages.
- A copy of the report for the testing and inspection of metallic tanks for transporting hazardous material.
All companies wishing to remove ship-generated waste from ships calling at Sri Lankan ports must apply for the waste reception annual registration.
Waste Categories
An applicant must apply for one or more of the following waste categories:
- Oily waste – MARPOL Annex I
- Sewage – MARPOL Annex IV
- Garbage – MARPOL Annex V
Type of Port for Registry Application
An applicant may apply for one or more of the following ports:
- All ports
- Colombo Port
- Galle Port
- Hambantota Port
- Trincomalee Port
Applications must be submitted within the period notified in the paper advertisement.
Application Procedure
The service provider’s annual registration application is published in Schedule II of the Marine Environment Protection (Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2016. The application form is available at the MEPA headquarters or district offices in Galle, Hambantota, and Trincomalee, during the application period as advertised. The completed application, along with the required supporting documents, should be submitted to the MEPA headquarters or the relevant district office. The application fee is Rs. 1,500.00.
The inspection team will prepare a report. If there are regulatory requirements to be met, the applicant will be informed and must fulfill them before the process proceeds. Once all regulatory requirements are met, the registration will be approved and move to Step 5.
Once approved, the applicant will be informed of the registration fee for the waste category and ports selected. The fee is according to Schedule III of the Marine Environmental Protection (Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2016. Additionally, a deposit of Rs. 300,000.00 is required for waste oil categories, or Rs. 25,000.00 for other categories, to be maintained throughout the permit’s validity.
The permit is valid for one calendar year. Re-registration applications should be submitted after the relevant advertisement for the next year’s registration and follow the same procedure outlined above. All registered service providers will have access to the WRS e-service with unique usernames and passwords. Through this online system, service providers can check applications for ship waste removal permits, permit fees, charges for waste oil removal, and related details.
Procedure for Ship-Generated Waste Removal
Mandatory Advanced Notification for Waste Delivery to Port Reception Facilities
Mandatory Advanced Notification for Waste Delivery to Port Reception Facilities
All vessels entering Sri Lankan ports must notify MEPA at least 24 hours in advance of their arrival, specifying the amounts of waste they intend to discharge. This is done by completing the Marine Environment Protection Authority Advance Notification Form via the online system: MEPA Advance Notification.
Waste Delivery Request
Ships (or their agents) must submit the waste they intend to land to MEPA at least 24 hours before arrival by completing the online waste disposal request form: MEPA Waste Disposal Request.
Issuing a Permit for Ship-Generated Waste Removal
A registered service provider named in the waste delivery request will apply for a waste reception permit for the ship.
Removal of Ship Waste and Issuance of Waste Delivery Certificate
With approval from the relevant agencies, the service provider may remove the requested waste under MEPA supervision. MEPA will then issue a waste delivery certificate to the ship.
Waste Transport and Disposal
All waste oil and other waste vehicles must first be transported to the MEPA port office for sampling. After sampling, the service provider must transport the waste to final disposal locations approved by MEPA, following the necessary approvals from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and other relevant agencies.