Ukraine has updated its regulations on the protection of internal waters and territorial waters. These updates involve stricter requirements to prevent pollution and littering. They relate to discharges from vessels, the use of potentially hazardous substances, and more effective coordination between those responsible for environmental safety at seaports.
As reported by the Ministry of Economy and the Environment, this step is important for the realisation of Strategic Objective 3 of Ukraine’s Marine Conservation Strategy, as well as for the implementation of the European Union’s sectoral directives.
The nature of the changes
According to the agency, controls on the discharge of ballast water, wastewater and bilge water into the sea will be tightened.
Chemical and biological substances used in the marine environment will be subject to more specific requirements regarding state registration and compliance with chemical safety requirements.
The updated rules also provide for:
- clarifying the procedures for managing waste accumulated on board ships;
- setting out requirements for environmental impact assessments in relation to the construction and operation of facilities and the carrying out of works that may have a negative impact on the environment;
- updating the division of responsibilities between the State Environmental Inspectorate, seaport authorities, ship repair yards and business entities in the field of environmental safety at seaports;
- aligning terminology with current legislation.
"Pollution knows no borders and has a direct impact on the state of ecosystems, aquatic biological resources and human safety. Updating the regulations is another practical step towards a modern system for the protection of marine waters and Ukraine’s fulfilment of its obligations within the framework of European integration,” says Iryna Ovcharenko, Deputy Minister of Economy and Environment of Ukraine.
It is worth recalling that the Black Sea is suffering extremely adverse effects as a result of the hostilities. For example, following an oil spill caused by a Russian attack, the substance was detected even on the coast of the ‘Tuzly Estuaries’. Pollution is also cited as one of the factors behind the mass deaths of dolphins, whose population will, at best, recover in half a century.
