The hidden cost of poor maritime waste disposal

Toby Gunn, of Universal Tankers, warns of the consequences of ignoring the messier side of shipping

Maritime waste management is a compliance requirement that too often remains an operational blind spot. While many ports and shipping operators focus on efficiency and throughput, the waste streams generated by everyday activities - bilge water, sewage, garbage and cargo residues - are frequently underestimated in terms of risk exposure and liability.