This Directive aims to protect the marine environment against the negative effects from discharges of waste from ships using ports located in the Union, while ensuring the smooth operation of maritime traffic, by improving the availability and use of adequate port reception facilities and the delivery of waste to those facilities.

Port reception facilities
The Directive requires Member States to ensure the availability of port reception facilities adequate to meet the need of the ships normally using the port without causing undue delay to ships.

Waste reception and handling plans
Member States shall ensure that an appropriate waste reception and handling plan is in place and has been implemented for each port following ongoing consultations with the relevant parties.

Those consultations should be held both during the initial drafting of the waste reception and handling plan and after its adoption, in particular when significant changes have taken place.

Member States shall ensure that information about port reception facilities and the structure of the costs is clearly communicated to ship operators and is made publicly available and is easily accessible.

This information should include:
- location of port reception facilities applicable to each berth, and, where relevant, their opening hours
- list of waste from ships normally managed by the port
- list of contact points, the port reception facility operators and the services offered
- description of the procedures for delivery of the waste
- description of the cost recovery system


Advance waste notification
The operator, agent or master of a ship bound for a Union port shall complete truly and accurately the form set out in Annex 2 to this Directive (‘advance waste notification’) and notify all the information contained therein to the authority or body designated for this purpose by the Member State in which that port is located.


Delivery of waste from ships
The master of a ship calling at a Union port shall, before leaving that port, deliver all its waste carried on board to a port reception facility in accordance with the relevant discharge norms laid down in the MARPOL Convention.


Cost recovery systems
Member States shall ensure that the costs of operating port reception facilities for the reception and treatment of waste from ships, other than cargo residues, are covered through the collection of a fee from ships.