Digitalising the port waste reception facility

Type and quantity of waste received from ships is now logged in real time; illegal discharge reports fell and reporting time dropped from days to minutes.

How it was done

1. 01AnalysisThe existing paper-based reception process was mapped step by step.
2. 02SoftwareWaste type, quantity and vessel data are entered live on tablets.
3. 03IntegrationRecords are reported automatically to the inspection authority.

Results achieved

• Reporting time dropped from 3 days to 10 minutes.
• Unrecorded waste reports halved in the first year.

Measurable outputs

Climate relevance

Recording ship-generated waste accurately keeps it inside the port reception chain rather than in the sea, protecting the coastal habitats around the port. The digital process also removes the paper handling and repeat visits the previous method required.

Conditions for replication

Suited to ports that already operate a reception facility under MARPOL Annex V and have an inspection authority able to receive electronic records. The data fields have to be agreed with that authority before development starts.

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