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).
The discharge into the sea of substances in Category A as defined in the convention or those provisionally assessed as such or ballast water, tank washings, or other residues or mixtures containing such substances is prohibited.
If tanks containing such substances or mixtures are to be washed, the resulting residues shall be discharged to a reception facility until the concentration of the substance in the effluent to such facility is at or below the residual concentration prescribed for that substance and until the tank is empty. Provided that the residue then remaining in the tank is subsequently diluted by the addition of a volume of water of not less than 5 per cent of the total volume of the tank, it may be discharged into the sea when all the following conditions are also satisfied:
- The ship is proceeding en route at a speed of at least 7 knots in the case of self-propelled ships or at least 4 knots in the case of ships which are not self-propelled;
- The discharge is made below the waterline, taking into account the location of the seawater intakes; and
- The discharge is made at a distance of not less than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land and in a depth of water of not less than 25 metres.