The International Maritime Organization‘s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response held its 13th session at IMO Headquarters in London from 9 to 13 February 2026.The Sub-Committee agreed to the draft 2026 Strategy and the Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships, with a view to adoption by the Marine Environment Protection Committee at its next session (MEPC 84) in April 2026.
The draft 2026 Strategy and the Action Plan updates and supersedes the Strategy adopted by resolution MEPC.341(77) in 2021, and the 2025 Action Plan adopted by resolution MEPC.404(83).
The Strategy reaffirms IMO’s commitment to reduce marine plastic litter from all ships, including fishing vessels. It works to reduce shipping’s contribution to ocean plastic pollution, improve the effectiveness of port reception facilities and waste processing, while strengthening international rules and compliance. The goal is to achieve zero plastic waste discharges to sea from ships by 2030.
In addition, the revised Strategy and Action Plan aim to:
- Enhance public awareness, education and seafarer training
- Improve understanding of the contribution of ships to marine plastic litter
- Improve knowledge of the regulatory framework
- Strengthen international cooperation
The Sub-Committee discussed which legal instruments could be used to introduce mandatory measures to reduce the environmental risks of plastic pellets transported by sea in freight containers.
The Sub-Committee invited the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84) to consider its recommendation that a new code on the maritime transport of plastic pellets in freight containers be developed and made mandatory under MARPOL Annex III and/or SOLAS.
(IMO photo)