Hazardous and noxious substances are dangerous goods and other substances (excluding oil) that, when released into the environment, could potentially be harmful to human health and marine life. They have the capacity to be flammable, explosive, toxic, corrosive or reactive.
Regulatory Framework on Noxious Liquid Substances in the Cameroon Maritime Environment
The regulatory framework on noxious liquid substances in the Cameroon maritime environment is grounded in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Ships, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL).
For the purpose of the convention, noxious liquid substances are divided into four categories as follows;
- Category A – Noxious liquid substances which if discharged into the sea from tank cleaning or deballasting operations would present a major hazard to either marine resources or human health or cause serious harm to amenities or other legitimate uses of the sea and therefore justify the application of stringent anti-pollution measures.
- Category B – Noxious liquid substances which if discharged into the sea from tank cleaning or deballasting operations would present a hazard to either marine resources or human health or cause harm to amenities or other legitimate uses of the sea and therefore justify the application of special anti-pollution measures.
- Category C – Noxious Liquid substances which if discharged into the sea from tank cleaning or deballasting operations would present a minor hazard to either marine resources or human health or cause minor harm to amenities or other legitimate uses of the sea and therefore require special operational conditions.
- Category D – Noxious liquid substances which if discharged into the sea from tank cleaning or deballasting operations would present a recognized hazard to either marine resources or human health or cause minimal harm to amenities or other legitimate uses of the sea and therefore require some attention in operational conditions.
Where it is proposed to carry a liquid substance in bulk which has not been categorized under the convention, the governments of parties to the convention involved in the proposed operation shall establish and agree on a provisional assessment for the proposed operation on the basis of the guidelines referred to in the convention. Until full agreement between the governments involved has been reached, the substance shall be carried under the most severe conditions proposed.