Overview

Environmental requirements for operators

Environmental regulations ensure the riches of the sea are managed in a sustainable manner; achieving a balance between environmental and commercial interests, and to maintain an unpolluted, bountiful marine environment.

All vessels, from large ships to small dinghies, must comply with the marine protection requirements laid out in the Marine Protection Rules, Resource Management Act and associated regulations. Some requirements depend on the size of the vessel or the number of people on board. The regulations apply in two ways:

• They restrict the discharge of harmful substances, with a few exceptions.
• They require operational measures such as signage, record books, and management or response plans to ensure crew manage pollutants effectively on board.

Learn about the environmental regulations that apply to commercial vessels operating in New Zealand waters and accepted international practices operators are expected to follow.

Marine protection legislation, conventions and jurisdictional arrangements in New Zealand

A number of regulatory authorities combine to implement New Zealand’s marine protection regime including implementation of international conventions, including Maritime NZ, Regional Councils, the Environment Protection Authority and Biosecurity NZ.

Preventing air pollution from ships (Maritime Rules Part 199)

Marine Protection Rules Part 199: Preventing Air Pollution from Ships (Part 199) implements the requirements of the International Maritime Organization’s convention known as MARPOL Annex VI.

MARPOL Annex VI addresses the impact of air pollution from shipping activities on human health and environments in and around port communities. It also addresses the impact of emissions from shipping activities on climate change and ozone layer depletion.

Rules apply to New Zealand ships voyaging anywhere in the world, and to all other ships in seas under New Zealand’s jurisdiction, except for warships and ships of the New Zealand Defence Force. Some rules apply to small commercial and all recreational vessels with powerful motors. The rules do not apply to boats that only operate in lakes or rivers.

Ballast Water Management

Ballast water is seawater or freshwater pumped into ship tanks to provide stability, safety, and structural integrity, especially when vessels are unladen or partially loaded.

There are ballast water requirements for commercial and recreational vessels undertaking international voyages and can carry non-permanent ballast water.

Find out what rules apply to your vessel.

Oil pollution prevention

New Zealand implements MARPOL Annex I through the Maritime Transport Act, the Resource Management Act and associated rules and regulations (under both of these Acts).

The requirements address discharges from all vessels and establish operational standards for record books, management plans and response plans dependent on your vessel size.

To reduce the likelihood of a maritime incident and associated marine oil spill occurring, Maritime NZ has a regulatory role. This role includes reviewing and approving Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plans for:

• oil transfer sites
• ships
• offshore oil and gas installations – including pipelines and FPSOs (floating production storage and offload tankers)
• regional councils.

Maritime NZ also undertakes audits and inspections of all of those listed above.

Garbage disposal

New Zealand enforces international regulations through Marine Protection Rules to protect the marine environment from garbage pollution by ships, pleasure craft, and offshore installations.

Garbage, also known as marine debris, can be particularly persistent in the ocean, with some common plastic pollution lasting hundreds of years.

Fragments of plastics can enter the food chain. Other garbage in the marine environment may smother the seafloor or bind around animals. Garbage also damages the amenity value of beaches and can create a navigational hazard. It can damage hulls and disable cooling and propulsion systems on vessels.

Sewage

Maritime sewage discharge can harm the environment and people by contaminating seafood, transmitting diseases to water users, and creating conditions that are unsuitable for marine life.

The rules apply to recreational and commercial vessels anywhere in New Zealand.

Learn more about your responsibilities under the Resource Management (Marine Pollution) Regulation 1996.