MARINE – ENVIRONMENTAL
Great Yarmouth Port Company operates an Environmental Policy under ISO 14001, designed to minimise, as far as reasonably practicable, any detrimental impact on the environment. The information contained on these pages is intended as a guide for Vessel Masters and Ships’ Agents.
Port Waste Management
On Port Company operated berths, waste bins are available for the disposal of ships' domestic refuse at the locations indicated on the Environmental Information Sheet. The quayside waste bins are for ships' domestic waste and must NOT be used for the disposal of oily waste (including rags, batteries, paint tins and filters).
Domestic waste that has either originated from non-European Union (EU) countries or is on a vessel which has called at a non-EU port in the last two years will be treated as International Catering Waste (ICW) which is a Category 1 Waste. This waste must be separately declared and the Port Company will provide a special container.
Large quantities of domestic refuse (in excess of 1000 litres) and other wastes including oily waste, cargo residues and cargo-associated waste must be collected separately and this should be arranged through the Ship's Agent.
All ships are required to notify their Agents, prior to arrival, of the quantities of waste to be landed at the Port. This should be done using the form available in MGN253. All waste must be declared and landed unless the declaration includes estimates of retained waste and there is sufficient capacity on board for this.
Berth operators and private berth owners operate waste reception facilities provided under their own Waste Management Plans. Contact the berth operator for details.
Oil Pollution Plan
The Port maintains an Oil Spill Contingency Plan as required under the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention) Regulations 1998. The document is approved by the MCA following consultation with the appropriate statutory bodies and Authorities:
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
- Environment Agency (EA)
- Natural England (NE)
- Norfolk County Council
- Great Yarmouth Borough Council
- Port Users
The plan is specifically for the use of operations, either maritime or onshore, within the area of jurisdiction of Great Yarmouth Port Company. The plan is designed to initiate an appropriate oil spill response in the event of an incident. It details a tiered response strategy that is in accordance with UK legislative requirements and takes into account the spill risk associated with the operation, the nature of the hydrocarbons that could be spilt, the prevailing meteorological and hydrographic conditions and the environmental sensitivity of the surrounding areas.
Vessels intending to transfer oil or pollutant liquids in bulk must comply with the terminal or operator's requirements and complete a safety checklist prior to transfer. Vessels must notify Port Operations, prior to commencement and upon completion, of bunkering or liquid transfers, giving the type of liquid involved and the quantity. Port Operations must also be advised immediately of any spillage, from any source and all reasonable measures must be taken to minimise pollution and prevent any pollutants from entering the river. [Use of chemical dispersants that could enter the river is not permitted].
Noise
By co-operation with Ships’ Masters and shore operators, G.Y.P.C. attempts, as far as is reasonably practicable, to limit excessive noise from port-related activities. However, the normal activities of the port will inevitably involve some noise as a result of normal shipboard and shore operations.
Ships should take all appropriate measures to limit noise from generators, particularly close to residential housing. This may involve switching to a harbour generator or to an offshore generator, which exhausts away from residential areas.
As the port operates on a 24-hour basis, cargo and ship operations may continue overnight and it should be appreciated that excessive noise caused at night may need to be controlled and in these cases consultation with the local Environmental Health Department may be beneficial. If in any doubt, please contact your Agent or the Harbour Office.
Dust
Dusty cargoes can cause a general nuisance in the port environment. Risk Assessments for cargo operations should address the possibility of dust pollution and if necessary appropriate measures should be taken to reduce the problem.