Memorandum Circular No. 3 Series 2019 on the Prohibition of Unloading of Food Wastes from Ships.

This Memorandum Circular approves Resolution MEPC.219(63) of the Marine Environment Protection Committee which came into force on 1 August 2013 generally prohibiting the discharge of any garbage in the ocean, with the exception of food wastes, cargo residues, wash-water, and animal carcasses. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex V, which contain regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships, provides that comminuted or ground food wastes must be able to pass through a screen with mesh openings no larger than 25 millimeters and must be discharged at not less than 3 nautical miles from the nearest land while other food wastes not comminuted or ground must be discharged not less than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land. Food wastes from seaports are currently unloaded to the port of destination and collected and disposed by waste management facilities. Such food wastes can be prepared for swill feeding of animals.