What are the waste management regulations UK maritime companies must comply with?

UK waste management legislation includes various regulations that aim to minimise the environmental impact of the wastewater generated by ships and their operations.

MARPOL Annexes

MARPOL regulations are an international agreement administered by the International Maritime Organization, aimed at reducing the risk to environmental health from pollution caused by maritime operations, Annex V of MARPOL sets out the rules for the disposal of ship-generated waste, while Annex I covers the control and management of oil pollution.

These regulations apply to the handling, treatment, and discharge of all wastewater produced on board, including grey water, black water, bilge water, and oily residues. Specific rules are outlined based on the type of wastewater, with clear discharge criteria and treatment requirements to ensure compliance and protect the marine environment.

Grey water and black water

Grey water and black water are two distinct types of wastewater produced onboard ships that are considered hazardous to human health. Grey water originates from non-toilet sources such as sinks, showers, and galley drains, and typically includes water used for washing and cleaning. In contrast, black water refers specifically to sewage – the waste generated from toilets and urinals. Both types must be managed appropriately to comply with maritime regulations and to reduce the risk of environmental contamination.

Ships of 400 gross tonnage and above, or those certified to carry more than 15 persons, must comply with specific sewage management standards for disposing of grey and black water. These vessels must be equipped with one of the following:

• An approved sewage treatment plant.
• An approved sewage comminuting and disinfecting system.
• A sewage holding tank.

To prevent waste contamination with water bodies and aquatic life, sewage that has not been comminuted or disinfected may only be discharged under the following conditions:

• The vessel is more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land.
• The vessel is en route.
• The vessel is travelling at a speed of at least 4 knots.

Discharge rate calculations do not include any dilution with water or greywater. As a result:

• The rate is conservative and helps protect the marine environment.
• The mixing action before discharge and the ship’s wake support further dispersion.

When discharging sewage from a holding tank using a pump calibrated at a fixed rate:

• The pump must be calibrated to the rate permitted at 4 knots; or
• Calibrated for a specific minimum ship’s speed greater than 4 knots.

If the intended discharge rate exceeds the permitted rate at 4 knots, the vessel must either reduce the discharge rate or increase speed to remain compliant.

Bilgewater

Bilgewater is a mixture of water, oil, grease, sludge, and other chemicals that accumulate in the bilge spaces of a vessel as a result of shipboard operations and external sea conditions. Such waste requires controlled handling to prevent marine pollution.

Before disposal, bilgewater must undergo treatment to remove oil and other contaminants to ensure that any discharge meets the environmental standards set out in international regulations.

Bilgewater that has been treated using an oil-water separator and meets the 15 parts per million (ppm) oil content threshold may be discharged at sea. However, this is only permitted when the ship is en route and at least 12 nautical miles from the nearest land. Untreated bilgewater must be retained on board and disposed of at an authorised shore-based facility.

Grease

The disposal of grease produced through cooking activities on board ships is regulated under Annex V of MARPOL, as enforced by UK law.

The discharge of plastic into the sea has been prohibited for over 30 years, following the entry into force of Annex V. To remove ambiguity surrounding the discharge of plastic and cooking oil, regulations 3.2 and 3.3 were introduced. These state that such discharges are only permitted in specific situations set out in regulation 7.

Regulation 7 outlines the limited circumstances in which discharge of plastic or cooking oil is allowed:

• Safety of the ship and crew: Where discharge is necessary to protect the safety of the vessel or the lives of those on board, or for life-saving purposes at sea.
• Accidental loss: Where rubbish is accidentally lost due to damage to the vessel or equipment, and all reasonable precautions were taken to prevent or limit that loss.
• Fishing gear: Where fishing gear is lost accidentally, or is discharged to protect the marine environment or to safeguard the ship or crew, provided reasonable steps were taken to avoid such loss.

Environmental Protection Act 1990

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, maritime businesses operating within the UK are required to meet specific waste management responsibilities designed to minimise pollution and protect the environment. These obligations apply to any business that produces, handles, transports, treats, or disposes of controlled waste.

As outlined in Section 34, all operators have the following duty of care:

• Take reasonable steps to prevent the unauthorised or harmful disposal of waste.
• Transfer waste only to registered or authorised carriers and waste management providers.
• Provide a written description of the waste during transfer.
• Store, transport, and process waste safely.
• Keep all documentation, such as waste transfer notes, for a minimum of two years to support traceability and compliance.

According to Section 33, maritime businesses are legally obliged to not do the following:

• Deposit, store, treat, or dispose of controlled waste without holding the correct environmental permit.
• Cause or knowingly permit waste to be managed in a way that risks harm to human health or the environment.

Waste management licences

Any operation that involves the handling, treatment, or disposal of controlled waste – such as bilge water, sludge, or grey water – requires a valid waste management licence or environmental permit. This includes onshore storage facilities and waste treatment sites.

Proper storage and containment

All waste must be stored securely to prevent escape or leakage. This typically involves the use of sealed, well-maintained containers in designated areas that minimise the risk of environmental contamination.

Record-keeping and documentation

Accurate and complete records must be kept for all waste-related activities. This includes information on the type and volume of waste, dates of waste collection and transfer, and the names of all parties involved in its movement or disposal.

The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Garbage and Sewage) Regulations 2020

In addition to complying with MARPOL, UK maritime businesses must also meet the requirements set out in The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Garbage and Sewage) Regulations 2020. These domestic regulations give legal effect to MARPOL Annex V within UK territorial waters and apply to UK vessels.

The regulations are enforced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and include provisions for inspection, certification, and enforcement. UK ports and territorial waters are required to provide port reception facilities for the disposal of ship-generated waste, and vessels must make use of these waste disposal areas where applicable.

How can using a specialist help your maritime business?

Universal Tankers provides a comprehensive range of waste management services for maritime operations, covering the collection, treatment, and disposal of grey water, black water, bilge water, fuel oil sludge, liquid food waste, and other waste streams that require drain jetting. Delivered in line with all UK waste regulations, and with more than 20 years in the waste management industry, we understand how to support businesses in the maritime sector and help them to comply with both domestic and international waste disposal regulations.

We offer scheduled waste operations as well as emergency or one-off services, with rapid mobilisation across ports, harbours, and waste disposal areas throughout the UK. Our team works directly with marine operators to maintain operational continuity while meeting all regulatory requirements and following comprehensive waste management policies, including those set by the Environment Agency and local authorities.

In addition to core maritime services, we also manage the removal of general waste, non-hazardous waste, and organic matter such as liquid food waste. We employ sustainable practices within all of our operations. We carry out septic tank emptying, grease trap emptying, and leachate collection using specialist vehicles and trained operatives. As a licensed waste carrier, we are authorised to handle waste in accordance with hazardous waste regulations where applicable.

All waste transportation, collection, and disposal is undertaken with full documentation, including waste transfer notes, to meet the required duty of care obligations under UK waste regulations. From initial uplift to final disposal, every element is managed efficiently and with minimal disruption thanks to our modern fleet, backed by our experienced team across England and Scotland.