1 The Marine Environment Protection Committee,
at its fifty-ninth session (13 to 17 July 2009), having held
a discussion on the threat of eutrophication to semi-closed and closed
sea areas caused by nutrients contained in the discharge of sewage
from passenger ships (MEPC 59/24, paragraphs 14.1 to 14.6):
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.1 noted the announcement by Finland that
the Baltic States, working through the Helsinki Commission,
would submit proposed amendments to MARPOL
Annex IV to a future session of the Committee to address that
issue; and
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.2 agreed to encourage all passenger vessels navigating
in semi-closed and closed sea areas which are threatened by eutrophication,
to refrain from discharging their waste water into the sea, and to
dispose of it only in port reception facilities, if available.
The Committee requested the Secretariat to disseminate
the above agreement as an MEPC circular.
2 Member Governments are invited to bring
this circular to the attention of all interested parties, including
shipowners and operators of passenger and cruise ships.