The PNG National Maritime Safety Authority Act 2003 specifies that NMSA’s role includes setting standard and strengthen control over marine oil pollution from ships and clean up operations and other environment damage caused by shipping in PNG coastal waters and water ways.

If you witness a vessel polluting, you can report the incident to NMSA or the local port/maritime authority. Please provide relevant details of the incidents such as when and where the incident occurred, the name of the vessel, type and extent of the pollution and any other information which you may think pertinent.

While ships are permitted to dispose some types of waste at sea, there are strict requirements relating to the type of waste and the distance from land where the disposal may take place. All pollution sightings should be reported and Authorities will determine whether the discharge/disposal is illegal.

The following pollution activity should be reported :

• An quantity of oil, If oil can be seen than it is likely to be an illegal discharge.
• Oil includes waste oil, fuel oil, sludge, lube oil and additives etc.
• Any discharge from a ship involving washing of chemical or dry cargoes
• Any plastic material
• Garbage disposed of in the sea within 12 nm of land (garbage includes food, paper, bottles etc)

Marine Pollution Risk Assessment - September 2011

The link below is for the Public Notice for Marine Pollution Risk Assessment report for download and viewing.

Download/view Public Notice for POM Marine Pollution Risk Assessment Report in PDF format

The links below are for the Marine Pollution Risk Assessment report for download and viewing.

Download/view POM Marine Pollution Risk Assessment Report Draft 2 - September 2011 (51.0 MB) in PDF format

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Pollution should be reported to:

National Maritime Safety Authority
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Port Moresby
National Telephone
(675) 321 3033
(675) 321 2760
Fax: (675) 321 0484

Email: mrccpng@nmsa.gov,pg