4.10.6 Various conventions dealing with dumping waste at sea

Despite decades of regulation at the International Maritime Organisation and elsewhere, and bans on discharging and dumping of nearly all shipping waste streams, such wastes routinely find their way into the sea with little evidence that these discharges are diminishing. The disincentive to use the Port Reception Facilities (PRF) can be removed by incorporating the cost of PRF use into the general harbour dues that all ships pay. Such an approach is generally known as a "no-special-fee" system, and is already in place in other parts of the world. Accordingly, the Department of Transport, in conjunction with DEA, will investigate and implement a "no-special-fee" system in all South African ports, and actively promote this as a standard international requirement.