Plastic pellet pollution comes primarily from factories and storage locations, but they also present a risk when shipped in containers across the globe by land and sea.

WSC is working through the IMO to reduce the risk of plastic pellets escaping during transport. We propose that plastic pellets be regulated globally by the IMO, under a robust framework that ensures mandatory packaging standards, shipper’s cargo declaration to the carrier and follow-on stowage by the carrier on the ship. Regulation must be specific to enable all parties including shippers, carriers and enforcement authorities to put them into practice.

While awaiting the development of IMO regulation for the carriage of plastic pellets, WSC has been actively promoting the IMO Recommendations for the carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers. WSC has worked closely with industry stakeholders including shippers, freight forwarders, P&I Clubs and the electronic message designers to standardise the way in which the IMO Recommendations are put into practice. As a result, WSC, Cefic, DGAC, FIATA and the International Group of P&I Clubs all recommend the use of a harmonised code and declaration statement for the maritime transport of plastic pellets.

WSC will continue to work to reduce the risks associated with the maritime transport of plastic pellets, through contributions to the IMO as well as industry initiatives.