Aquatic Pollution

Prevention of pollution from ships covers a number of different areas. The purpose of the regulations is to minimise the risk that ships will cause marine pollution through normal operation, the cargo they carry, the waste generated onboard or in connection with bunkering or loading/unloading of noxious liquid products (such as oil).

Regarding negative environmental impact from antifouling systems onboard ships there is, thus far, a ban against one environmentally hazardous substance - organotin compounds (TBT/tributylitin). Handling of ballast water to prevent foreign organism from causing problems in waters where they do not belong is another area where regulations are in place but not yet in force internationally.