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By selecting China flag, you have now set your language to Chinese. This has several benefits, including:

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Pollution

Protecting the Marine Environment

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Please note that there will be no new content or updates on this site. For the latest news and articles, please visit our updated site.

Protection of the marine environment is the single most important issue affecting global shipping.

At North our focus is on prevention, preparedness, response and compensation. We help our Members comply with their legal obligations and if something should go wrong, we stand beside them with specialist advice, assistance and support.

Take a look at our latest articles, publications and expert opinion relating to pollution.

Want to know more?

You can contact our specialist pollution team at pollutionenquirygroup@nepia.com

Impetus for Change

Fifty years after the 1967 Torrey Canyon oil spill off south west England, protection of the marine environment still drives continuous development in all aspects of ship design, equipment and training. The impetus for change is as powerful as it ever was, with a stream of new conventions, laws and rules to protect the marine environment through the ever-increasing regulation of shipping.

These new laws are complex, they address risks that are only starting to be understood and they cross international, regional and national boundaries. Environmental risks are greater because trade is growing and ships are becoming larger. Social media guarantees that marine pollution incidents are now played out on the world’s stage.

Our Expert Team

North’s ‘Pollution Enquiry Group’ is a dedicated team of experts from P&I, Loss Prevention and Underwriting.

The team has over 100 years of experience in P&I, it includes master mariners who have commanded all types of tankers and lawyers who have advised in some of the largest pollution incidents of recent years.   Members of our team regularly attend pollution incidents across the world, standing beside our Members and helping to address the expectations of the local authorities and the local populations.

Our team can be reached on pollutionenquirygroup@nepia.com or by direct contact with any of the team members listed below.

Marine Environment FAQ's

What is a marine environment?

The marine environment is the oceans, seas and estuaries, the seabed, its subsoils, marine wildlife and its sea and coastal habitats.

Why are marine environments important?

A healthy marine ecosystem is important to society, they provide food security, raw materials for medicines, building materials from coral rock and sand, and natural defences against hazards such as coastal erosion and inundation. 

How does shipping affect the marine environment?

Protection of the marine environment is one of the most important issues affecting global shipping today. Ship routes or ‘marine roads’, can cause extensive pollution. Some forms of shipping pollution may be concentrated within these shipping routes  whereas others have a larger footprint. The ship can affect the marine environment directly or indirectly, through oil pollution from capsized ships, discharge of oil contaminated bilge water, ship emissions and exhaust, as well as ballast water containing marine life. The ship engines are a contributing factor to noise pollution, this can cause physical damages, whereas persistent background noise, such as that from anchored cruise ships, can alter communication and feeding behaviours in marine animals.

How does the P&I system help deal with pollution from shipping?

Severe maritime incidents remain relatively rare, but the global shipping industry is judged on its response to these incidents when they arise. The speed and calibre of that response relies on the international network of technical and operational support combined with the financial resources that today’s P&I system provides, all supplemented by the backing of a unique reinsurance programme. This well-established and well-regarded system, based on the founding principles of mutuality and support between shipowners, has been instrumental in allowing global shipping to operate whilst reassuring international regulatory and public stakeholders that there is a tested and proven approach to rapidly and comprehensively dealing with maritime incidents.

How can I be protected against a pollution incident?

North’s ‘Pollution Enquiry Group’ is an expert team from P&I, Loss Prevention and Underwriting dedicated to prevention, preparedness, response and compensation. Our team has over 100 years of experience in P&I, and includes master mariners who have commanded all types of tankers and lawyers who have advised in some of the largest pollution incidents of recent years. We will ensure our Members are protected against any pollution incidents, and will always stand by you to help address the expectations of the local authorities and the local populations.

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Additional Environmental Issues

Ballast Water

Ballast Water Management

Ballast water and its impact on the environment is an important topic, but differing rules have caused uncertainty and concern in the industry. We have pulled together information to help you better understand the issue.

Find out more
2020 Sulphur Cap

2020 Sulphur Cap

The reduction of the MARPOL Annex VI global fuel sulphur cap to 0.5% will come into force on 1 January 2020. If you’re a shipowner or operator, you will have important decisions to make so you comply with these requirements.

Find out more
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