The International Maritime Organization and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have published a new guide to support countries to put in place port reception facilities to receive marine plastic litter from ships. The guide, which can be downloaded here, has been developed under the GloLitter project. The document outlines the costs of operating a port reception facility and the revenue that such facilities can generate. It provides tools and guidance on conducting economic assessments and techno-feasibility studies concerning port reception facilities for plastic waste generated on board ships, including fishing gear. Case studies of waste reception facilities in different ports around the world are used to illustrate the relevant income and expenditure flows, including the setting of direct and/or indirect fees.

The guide follows the adoption in 2021 of the IMO strategy to address marine plastic litter from ships. It aims to achieve zero plastic waste discharges to sea from ships by 2025. GloLitter is an IMO partnership project with FAO funded by Norway, Saudi Arabia and Australia. It assists developing countries to prevent and reduce marine litter from maritime transport and fisheries and identifies opportunities for the reduction of plastic uses in both industries.
Source: IAPH