International Maritime Organisation (IMO) training on the international treaty covering waste dumping at sea has been provided for Algerian government officials and participants from shipping companies and port authorities.
The workshop on the London Protocol enabled cooperation between different organisations to facilitate effective implementation of measures aimed at protecting the marine environment from dumping of harmful wastes at sea, as set out in the London Protocol and the Dumping Protocol of the Barcelona Convention – the regional convention for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea.
Participants examined ways of effectively assessing the environmental impact of dumping of certain substances, including dredged material and effluents from desalination plants at sea. They also discussed the advantages of being part of the global network of experts and scientists linked to the London Protocol and their ongoing research on innovative sustainable techniques preventing marine pollution caused by dumping.
The event, held in Alger on 9-10 April, was organised by IMO’s Office of the London Convention & Protocol and Ocean Affairs with the Directorate of Merchant Navy and Ports of the Algerian Ministry of Public Works and Transport, with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Under the London Protocol all dumping is prohibited, except for possibly acceptable wastes on the so-called 'reverse list'. The Protocol entered into force on 24 March 2006 and there are currently 51 parties signed up to it.
