Pollution

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reported that on 3 April an oil patch was sighted in the eastern Johor Strait.

The International Salvage Union (ISU) has presented the data from its Annual Pollution Prevention Survey for operations in 2024, highlighting role of professional salvors in protecting the marine environment. 

The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds) has issued new guidance for member states on investigating oil pollution incidents involving uninsured or unsafe ships.

The ongoing maritime incident in the North Sea has led to the presence of plastic nurdles along the Norfolk coast, with authorities calling on the public to report any sightings of these small plastic pellets.

ITOPF has published a report highlighting the distinct nature of claims arising from ammonia spills compared to traditional oil spills, focusing on the unique impacts associated with ammonia's toxicity and reactivity.

Four Dutch crew members of the Van Oord dredger Vox Maxima have pleaded guilty to failing to discharge their duties properly in connection with the allision with the Marine Honour, a Singapore-flagged bunker vessel, which occurred on June 14, 2024.

A report published by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) has warned that ships and vessels continue to pollute EU maritime waters.

On 2 March, approximately 5,000 liters of an oil-water mixture leaked from a tank into the Elbe River at a company site in Hamburg.

The MPA conducted a table-top exercise (TTX) with Indonesia and Malaysia to enhance coordination and strengthen oil spills response.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment Bill into law, strengthening protections against ship-related pollution in South African waters.