Port waste reception facilities

The government has an obligation to ensure that New Zealand ports provide adequate facilities for the disposal of the various waste products generated onboard ships.

This obligation arises under MARPOL 73/78; the International Convention on Prevention of Pollution from Ships.

Port facilities can be fixed or mobile. Fixed waste facilities include those normally found at oil terminals to receive tank wash from oil tankers. Mobile facilities include road tankers operated by private waste removal contractors.

Port waste facilities in New Zealand and Australia

 To assist ship operators to comply with the MARPOL 73/78 Convention, Maritime New Zealand and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) publish biannually a list of shore-based facilities that are available to dispose of ship-generated waste.

Wherever possible, arrangements for the use of port reception facilities in New Zealand and Australian ports should be made through the ship's agent. Charges usually apply for the use of port waste facilities.

Waste facilities available at New Zealand and Australian ports [Australian Maritime Safety Authority]

Waste facilities available at New Zealand and Australian ports - November 2009 [PDF Booklet: 440Kb, 80 pages]

This list of shore-based waste facilities was initially compiled as part of the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) maritime accidents and pollution initiative 1995 survey of waste reception facilities in ports, boat harbours and marinas.