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Home › MARPOL Operations › IMO 2026 Strategy on Marine Plastic Litter and the Future Pellet Code
Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

IMO 2026 Strategy on Marine Plastic Litter and the Future Pellet Code

Zero plastic discharge from ships into the sea by 2030 is not a slogan: MEPC 84 adopted a strategy with a concrete action plan, and has already mandated a dedicated mandatory code for the carriage of plastic pellets in containers.

marine plastic litterMEPC 84plastic pelletsMARPOL Annex III

Operational Explanation

MEPC 84 adopted the 2026 Strategy and Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships, reaffirming the IMO's goal of zero plastic discharge from ships into the sea by 2030. The plan focuses on three directions: reducing shipping's contribution to ocean plastic pollution, improving the effectiveness of port reception facilities and onboard waste management, and strengthening international regulation and compliance.

The most concrete measure, and the most immediately relevant for the cargo trade, is the decision to develop a mandatory code for the maritime carriage of plastic pellets in containers, under MARPOL Annex III and/or the SOLAS Convention: the PPR (Pollution Prevention and Response) Sub-Committee has been tasked with drafting the code at its PPR 14 session, before reporting back to the MEPC. Plastic pellets lost at sea, often following container losses, are a recognised long-lasting marine pollution problem.

Regulatory Reference

2026 IMO Strategy and Action Plan on Marine Plastic Litter from Ships (adopted at MEPC 84, April-May 2026): goal of zero plastic discharge from ships by 2030. Development of a mandatory code for the carriage of plastic pellets in containers under MARPOL Annex III and/or SOLAS, being drafted by the PPR Sub-Committee (PPR 14 session).

Scope of Application

Every ship, in relation to general onboard plastic waste management under the 2026 Strategy; ships carrying plastic pellets in containers, ahead of the future mandatory code under development.

Procedure / How to Complete It

  1. Keep onboard plastic waste management aligned with the 2026 Strategy's goals, in particular correct segregation and recording in the Garbage Record Book.
  2. For ships carrying plastic pellets in containers, follow developments on the mandatory code being drafted by the PPR Sub-Committee, ahead of its future adoption.
  3. Train the crew on the specific sensitivity of plastic pellets as a long-lasting marine pollutant, distinct from generic onboard plastic waste.
  4. For the carriage of plastic pellets, verify the stowage and packaging practices already recommended by the industry pending the mandatory code.
  5. Monitor updates from the PPR 14 session and subsequent MEPC sessions on the evolution of the pellet code.

Practical Example

Example: an operator regularly carrying plastic pellets in containers already adopts industry-recommended enhanced packaging and stowage practices, anticipating the requirements of the future mandatory code still being drafted by the PPR Sub-Committee.

Real Cases

The decision to develop a dedicated mandatory code for plastic pellets stems from growing evidence of the long-lasting environmental impact of these materials when lost at sea following a container loss: unlike other plastic waste, pellets disperse in enormous quantities from a single lost container and are difficult to recover, making prevention at source the most effective measure.

Common Mistakes Mistake Library

MistakeConsequenceHow to avoid it
Carriage of plastic pellets in containers handled with the same generic practices as any other dry cargo, without the enhanced precautions recommended by the industryRisk of massive dispersal at sea in the event of container lossApply the industry-recommended enhanced packaging and stowage practices for plastic pellets, pending the mandatory code
No monitoring by the Company of developments on the future mandatory pellet codeUnpreparedness for the new requirements once the code is finalisedMonitor updates from the PPR and MEPC sessions on the evolution of the plastic pellet code

PSC Observations

The mandatory plastic pellet code is still being drafted and is therefore not yet subject to direct PSC verification; general onboard plastic waste management under the Garbage Record Book remains a standard PSC check.

Operational Tips

Checklist

FAQ

What is the goal of the 2026 Strategy on marine plastic litter?
Zero plastic discharge from ships into the sea by 2030, with an action plan covering reduced shipping contribution, improved port reception facilities, and strengthened regulation.
What is specifically being developed for the carriage of plastic pellets?
A mandatory code for the maritime carriage of plastic pellets in containers, under MARPOL Annex III and/or SOLAS, being drafted by the PPR Sub-Committee (PPR 14 session).
Why are plastic pellets considered a specific problem compared with other plastic waste?
Because they disperse in enormous quantities from a single container lost at sea and are particularly difficult to recover, with a long-lasting environmental impact.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

Related Topics

Garbage Record BookMARPOL Annex VI