IMSML Web Article 20/2026: Resolution MEPC.404(83) - 2025 Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships

One of the MEPC resolutions issued on its 83rd Session, adopted on 11 April 2025. The Resolution was issued nationally  via Malaysian Shipping Notice (MSN) 06/2025 on 9 October 2025. The objective is to prevent pollution of garbage from ships undertaken by IMO since. the adoption of MARPOL Annex V.

What is IMO’s Objective?

To contribute to the global solution for preventing marine plastic litter from entering the oceans

through ship-based activities, see 2.0.

What are the Time Frames, Review and Evaluation?

The revised annex 1 to the Strategy to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships [PPR 12/16/Add.1, annex 8]. Paragraph 4.1 of the Strategy to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships (resolution MEPC.341(77)) provides the definitions for these time frames, see 3.2. The 2025 Action Plan will be reviewed after five years with a view to updating the actions based on information submitted by Member States and international organizations on the implementation of the 2025 Action Plan, see 3.3.

What are some of the Identified Measures?

These are designed with outcomes in mind, including but not limited to the following (see 4.0):

[1] Reduction of marine plastic litter generated from, and retrieved by, fishing vessels. Eg Consider making the IMO Ship identification Number Scheme mandatory for all fishing vessels over 24 metres in length through an amendment to the Cape Town Agreement once it enters into force;

[2] Reduction of shipping’s contribution to marine plastic litter. Eg Consider whether and how to address the responsibility, and if appropriate, liability for plastic consumer goods lost at sea from ships;

[3] Improvement of the effectiveness of port reception and facilities and treatment in reducing marine plastic litter, Eg Consider the requirement for port reception facilities to provide for separate garbage collection for plastic waste from ships, including fishing gear, if appropriate to facilitate recycling;

[4] Enhanced public awareness, education and seafarer training. Eg Consider ways to publically promote the work of IMO to address marine plastic litter generated from ships;

[5] Improved understanding of the contribution of ships to marine plastic litter. Eg Consider extending the reporting requirement in Regulation 10.6 of MARPOL Annex V to include reporting data on discharge or accidental loss of fishing gear by the flag State to IMO via GISIS or other measures, if appropriate;

[6] Strengthend international cooperation. Eg Make information available to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

The following actions are part of the 2025 Review of the Initial Action Plan:

[1] Reduction of marine plastics litter generated from, and retrieved by, fishing vessels. Eg Consider the development of best management practice to facilitate incentives for fishing Vessels to retrieve derelict fishing gear and deliver it to port reception facilities, including collaboration with FAO;

[2] Reduction of shipping’s contribution to marine plastics litter generated litter. Eg Review the application of placards, garbage management plans and garbage record-keeping (see Regulation 10 of MARPOL Annex V), ie by making the Garbage Record Book mandatory for all ships 100 GT and above;

[3] Improvement of the effectiveness of port reception and facilities and treatment in reducing marine plastics litter. Eg Consider the development of tools to support the implementation of cost frameworks associated with port reception facilities, taking into account the need to not create disincentives for the use of port reception facilities, the potential benefits of cost incentives that provide no additional fees based on volume and identifying waste types that can be reduced, reused or recycled through schemes that identify waste revenue;

[4] Enhanced public awareness, education and seafarer training. Eg Consider tasking the HTW Sub-Committee with reviewing chapter III of STCW-F (Basic safety training for all fishing vessel personnel) to ensure that all fishing vessel personnel, before being assigned any shipboard duties, receive basic training on marine environment awareness oriented on marine plastic litter including abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG);

[5] Improved understanding of the contribution of ships to marine plastic litter. Eg Invite Member States and international organisations to undertake studies to better understand microplastics from ships.;

[6] Improved understanding of the regulatory framework associated with marine plastic litter from ships. Eg Consider the development of a regulatory framework matrix for the purpose of a gap analysis;

[7] Targeted technical cooperation and capacity-building. Eg Consider the establishment of externally funded major projects under the auspices of IMO in support of the Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic litter from Ships.;

Thank you for reading IMSML Web Article 20/2026

Stay tuned for the next IMSML Web Article 21/2026: Resolution MEPC.405(83) - Amendments to the 2025 Guidelines for the Development of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials under Resolution MEPC.379(80)

Signing-off for today,

Dr Irwin Ooi Ui Joo, LL.B(Hons.)(Glamorgan); LL.M (Cardiff); Ph.D (Cardiff); CMILT

Professor of Maritime and Transport Law

Faculty of Law

Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam

Selangor, Malaysia

Tuesday,  19 May 2026

Note that I am the corresponding author for the IMSML Website Articles. My official email address is: uijoo310@uitm.edu.my