The Indian Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has issued a Draft Addendum to its previous directive banning single-use plastics in Indian waters. As a consequence, all ships are permitted to continue operating in Indian waters and ports and, discharge plastic waste to port reception facilities in accordance with MARPOL Annex V.
In the meantime, the International Chamber of Shipping will continue to assess the prohibition orders and work through appropriate mechanisms to seek pragmatic solutions that respect the realities of shipboard operations and the requirements of MARPOL. Members are requested to provide any reports or information concerning refusals of plastic waste discharges to port reception facilities to the ICS secretariat at the earliest opportunity.
