Prohibition on use of Single Use Plastics

Applicable to: Indian ships and foreign ships in Indian waters

Effective Date: 1st January 2020

Superseded Circulars: None

Key Changes and Requirements

The following single-use plastics are prohibited on board Indian and foreign ships in Indian waters from 1st January 2020:

Bags, trays, containers, food packaging film; Milk bottles, freezer bags, shampoo bottles, ice cream containers; Bottles for water and other drinks, dispensing containers for cleaning fluids, biscuit trays; Hot drink cups, insulated food packaging, protective packaging for fragile items; Microwave dishes, ice cream tubs, potato chip bags, bottle caps;
Cutlery, plates and cups; Up-to 10 litres bottles for water and other drinks; Garbage and shopping bags, Dispensing containers for cleaning fluids which are less than 10 litres volume.

Recognized Organizations and Administration Surveyors are directed to ensure and verify the following:

Indian Ships: No single-use plastics are used or stored on board. Deficiency raised under Code 99103 (Other MARPOL Operational). Repeated deficiency may lead to detention under ISM Code.
Foreign Ships: Single-use plastics are not in use and are kept locked in a store during their stay in Indian ports and passage through territorial waters. Log entry of single-use plastic items on board is required before entering Indian territorial waters. No discharge of single-use plastic items to port reception facility.

II/4 MARPOL Annex V Regulation 4 - Prohibition on discharge of plastic into the sea.

Important Note

Non-compliance may result in detention of Indian ships under ISM Code and deficiency raised for foreign ships.

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