Port Reception Facilities in the spotlight in Kiel

Jul 04 2016

Port Reception Facilities in the spotlight in Kiel

Around 50 experts gathered at an international workshop in Kiel, Germany, on June 30th and July 1st of 2016, to discuss the topic of port reception facilities (PRFs) for the Baltic Sea as Special Area according to MARPOL Annex IV.

The participants assembled at the Wissenschaftszentrum in Kiel to discuss political, technical and legal aspects and questions related to the environmental impact of sewage from cruise and ferry ships in the Baltic Sea. The event aimed to intensify the international and interdisciplinary cooperation and coordination of the development of PRF’s in Baltic ports. The participants analyzed the integration of smaller ports and individual berths into the PRF infrastructure network.

Emil Arolski, the Baltic Ports Organization’s (BPO) Project manager, presented the Green InfraPort project – a BPO led initiative, focused on solutions directed at increasing the sustainability of Baltic ports. Planning and development of PRFs is an important part of Green InfraPort’s agenda.
Among the participants were representatives from some of the Baltic ports, including officials from the ports of Klaipeda, Copenhagen Malmö and Szczecin/ Swinoujście.

Two main conclusions were met. A smooth implementation of the strict restrictions imposed by the Annex IV of the International Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Ships, signed in 1973, is only possible under close and continuous cooperation between policymakers, port authorities, ship owners and the municipal sewage disposal companies. This collaboration needs to occur on international level. Additionally, practical and viable technical solutions in dealing with sewage from ships in ports as well as effective sewage management need to remain at the center of attention.

The new restrictions will come into force on June 1st 2019 – for new passenger vessels – and on June 1st 2021 – for existing passenger ships. Therefore it is crucial for the Baltic ports to be adequately prepared for the upcoming deadlines and costs linked to the development of necessary infrastructure. Many Baltic ports already feature berths connected to the municipal sewage disposal system and others are planning such installations or looking at alternative solutions for sewage reception from passenger ships.

The workshop has been organized by the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) in cooperation with the Port of Kiel and the Baltic Ports Organization. The event has been prepared on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB).