Regulations transposing the EU Directive on port waste reception facilities came into force in 2003 (ENDS Report 343, p 47 
). These required ports to provide facilities for wastes such as oil and oily mixtures, cargo residues and garbage, but did not include sewage because the Directive's provisions regarding sewage did not come into effect until 12 months after the other provisions.
The new regulations will require harbour authorities and terminal operators to provide waste facilities for ship-generated sewage which are adequate to meet the needs of ships normally using their harbours or terminals without causing undue delay to the ships. They also set out the basis on which ports and terminals will charge ships for using the facilities.
The requirements will not apply to existing ships - those built before 27 September 2003 - until 27 September 2008.
