The port of Mar del Plata has firmly implemented the new Ship Waste Management Regulation.
A regulation that has already come into effect at Terminals 2, 3, and the North Breakwater, with the aim of strengthening port environmental sustainability practices.
This is an unprecedented measure that also seeks to set an example for other coastal points.
What does the waste regulation at the port of Mar del Plata require
Changes at the port of Mar del Plata.
Among the main points, the new regulation requires:
-
Mandatory classification on board into two main categories: wet/organic and dry/recyclable waste
-
Use of differentiated containers with airtight lids and retroreflective signaling, supplied by authorized companies, ensuring operational and environmental safety.
-
Strict time limit: waste cannot remain on the dock for more than 6 hours once removed from the ships. If exceeded, immediate fines are applied to ships or carriers.
A complete cultural shift
Far from being a mere administrative formality, the measure aims to reduce marine and coastal pollution and to promote permanent environmental care habits within the maritime community.
The Mar del Plata Regional Port Consortium (CPRMDP) emphasizes that sanctions, such as financial fines, possible ecological compensations, and even the disqualification of ships, will be as important as raising awareness.
The ultimate goal is for each operator to see proper waste separation and disposal as another link in the production chain, rather than an obstacle.
Furthermore, to ensure the new rules are not merely on paper, the port has strengthened its monitoring and supervision mechanisms.
Environmental inspectors verify that waste does not exceed maximum stay times on the dock and that transport documentation is traceable end-to-end.
In doing so, the city of Mar del Plata aligns with international standards of port environmental management and the commitments of the MARPOL 73/78 Convention. A move that, according to sector sources, enhances competitiveness against markets that require sustainability certificates for fishery products.
The implementation of the regulation not only protects the Port of Mar del Plata against future environmental damage. It also sends a signal to other Argentine ports that still operate without specific guidelines for ship waste.
The emblematic port.
With more than 300 fishing vessels entering each month during the high season, the Mar del Plata experience emerges as a case study of how rigorous environmental management can coexist with industrial activity. At the same time, this enhances the reputation of the entire port complex.
