Regulations
International regulations
General
Most regulations aimed at protecting the environment applicable to shipping are of international origin. The most comprehensive international convention is MARPOL 73/78 (The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships), adopted by the IMO. Detailed provisions on prevention of pollution from ships are also found in other resolutions and codes issued by the IMO, recommendations from HELCOM as well as EC directives and regulations. The provisions have been incorporated into Swedish laws, ordinances and regulations so that they are applicable in Sweden.
International organisations
IMO
IMO, the International Maritime Organization, whose headquarters are in London, is the UN body for matters related to international shipping. Representatives from many countries (including Sweden) all over the world are involved in the work of the IMO and in negotiating common rules for shipping. Environmental issues are mainly dealt with in the MEPC, Marine Environment Protection Committee. Proposals for regulations and regulatory amendments are prepared in various sub-committees and then submitted to the MEPC for decision. Proposed amendments to conventions and resolutions issued by the IMO come from individual countries or the official international organisations represented in the IMO.
HELCOM
The Helsinki Commission, HELCOM, works to protect the marine Baltic Sea environment from all types of pollution. Regional agreements among Denmark, Estonia, the EU, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden are made within the framework of HELCOM. The first Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area (the “Helsinki Convention”) was signed in 1974 and a new Convention was signed in 1992 and entered into force in January 2000.
EU
So far, the EU does not have extensive regulations protecting the marine environment because IMO regulations shall also apply in Europe. There are some areas in which the EU has introduced stricter regulations or preceded the IMO in order to put pressure on countries to ratify a particular convention issued by the IMO.
Rules and regulations
MARPOL
MARPOL 73/78 (The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) consists of six annexes containing regulations on prevention of pollution from oil, noxious liquid substances in bulk, harmful substances in packaged form, sewage and garbage. The last annex contains regulations on prevention of air pollution. MARPOL also includes codes (the IMDG Code, the IBC Code and the BCH Code) with more detailed provisions. IMO has also drafted resolutions and circulars pertaining to environmental protection.
HELCOM recommendations
HELCOM has issued a number of recommendations that countries have committed to incorporating into their national laws. The recommendations, like the current convention, are found on the HELCOM website. One example of an important effort being pursued by HELCOM is the “Baltic Strategy,” according to which ships should deposit waste on land instead of “dumping” it at sea.
EU directives and regulations
The EU has issued a number of directives and regulations pertaining to marine environment protection. There is a regulation banning the use of TBT in antifouling systems on ships, for instance, as well as directives regulating what are referred to as inland waterways.
National regulations
General
Most regulations aimed at protecting the environment applicable to shipping are of international origin. The provisions are made applicable in Sweden by incorporating them into Swedish laws, ordinances and regulations. Certain regulations apply only in Sweden, such as regulations on special actions to prevent pollution from ships operating in Lake Mälaren, the Trollhättan Canal and Lake Vänern.
Acts, ordinances and regulations
The act and ordinance upon which regulations pertaining to environmental protection issued by the Swedish Maritime Administration are the Act (1980:424) on Prevention of Pollution from Ships and the Ordinance (1980:789) on Prevention of Pollution from Ships. The regulations are found in the regulations of the Swedish Maritime Administration (TSFS 2010:96) and General Advice on prevention of pollution from ships.
Other regulations pertaining to environmental pollution include the regulations of the Swedish Maritime Administration (SJÖFS 2001:12) and General Advice on reception of waste from ships and the regulations of the Swedish Maritime Administration (SJÖFS 2001:13) on reception of waste from recreational craft.