Marine Environmental Protection
Healthy seas, protected ecosystems, resilient communities.
Protecting Africa’s maritime environment means preventing pollution, safeguarding ecosystems and preparing for the pressures of a changing climate. AMSSA’s programme brings these priorities together through technical cooperation, knowledge sharing and coordinated planning between African nations and their partners.
Our approach connects environmental stewardship with maritime safety, responsible development and community resilience, helping protect the resources on which Africa’s maritime future depends.
Why it Matters
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Marine pollution can arise from accidents as well as routine ship operations. IMO’s principal pollution-prevention convention, MARPOL, addresses both, covering oil, chemicals, harmful packaged substances, sewage, garbage and air pollution from ships.
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AMSSA’s strategy also identifies wider pressures, including habitat degradation, overfishing, rising sea levels and extreme weather. Its environmental programme aims to help partners strengthen preparedness, protect marine resources and integrate climate resilience into maritime development.
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Prevention, early warning and cooperation are central to this approach. IMO’s pollution-response framework encourages countries to establish national response systems and arrangements for mutual assistance when incidents exceed their individual capacity.
Our areas of work
Pollution Prevention
AMSSA’s programme aims to support the development and implementation of maritime environmental standards, including alignment with MARPOL. Planned technical assistance, guidance and knowledge sharing will help participating authorities strengthen their understanding of applicable requirements and implementation needs.
MARPOL provides the international foundation for preventing and minimising pollution from ships, whether caused by operational activities or accidents.
Oil spill preparedness and response cooperation
AMSSA’s programme proposes an African Regional Pollution Response Plan, bringing together information on response assets, mutual-aid arrangements and coordination procedures. It also includes joint spill exercises to help partners test preparedness and identify gaps.
This approach reflects the emphasis of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, known as OPRC, on emergency planning, equipment, exercises and assistance between countries.
AMSSA’s intended role is to support preparedness and cooperation, not to replace the national authorities responsible for emergency response.
Environmental monitoring and early warning
The proposed Pan-African Maritime Information System, AMIS, is intended to combine maritime information with environmental monitoring and climate-related data. AMSSA’s programme includes satellite-based pollution detection, monitoring of sea-level and weather hazards, and protocols for information exchange.
These activities aim to improve situational awareness and help participating authorities identify risks and coordinate responses. AMIS remains a planned development within the strategy, rather than an existing continent-wide service.
Marine ecosystems and protected areas
AMSSA’s strategy includes support for marine protected areas, ecosystem protection and cooperation across national boundaries. The programme aims to connect participating authorities and partners through shared knowledge, coordination mechanisms and capacity building.
This work complements the Blue Economy engine by keeping environmental protection connected to decisions about resource use and sustainable development.
Climate-resilient coasts and ports
AMSSA’s programme includes climate adaptation guidance for African coastal ports and communities. Its intended focus is on helping partners understand climate pressures and integrate resilience into planning for infrastructure, coastal livelihoods and maritime activity.
The strategy also proposes capacity building in integrated coastal management, bringing environmental protection and development priorities into a more coordinated approach.
Marine litter and ship-generated waste
IMO’s MARPOL Annex V generally prohibits the discharge of garbage into the sea, subject to specified exceptions. Its provisions cover waste such as plastics, fishing gear, domestic and operational waste, and cargo residues. Certain harmful cargo residues must be delivered to port reception facilities rather than discharged at sea.
Within its broader environmental standards work, AMSSA aims to promote access to guidance and shared practice on pollution prevention. Ship-generated waste management provides an important subject for this proposed awareness and capacity-building work.
International frameworks
MARPOL The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships is the principal IMO convention addressing ship-source pollution. Its six technical annexes cover: Annex I: Oil. Annex II: Noxious liquid substances carried in bulk. Annex III: Harmful substances carried in packaged form. Annex IV: Sewage. Annex V: Garbage. Annex VI: Air pollution. AMSSA’s strategy identifies MARPOL as a reference for its work on harmonising standards and supporting national implementation.
OPRC and the OPRC-HNS Protocol OPRC provides a framework for oil pollution preparedness, response and international cooperation. The OPRC-HNS Protocol extends a similar approach to pollution incidents involving hazardous and noxious substances. Together, they support national response systems and cooperation when major incidents require additional assistance. These frameworks are relevant to AMSSA’s proposed regional pollution-response planning and joint exercises.
Ballast Water Management Convention Ships’ ballast water can transfer harmful aquatic organisms between regions. The Ballast Water Management Convention establishes standards and procedures to help prevent their spread through the management of ballast water and sediments. The convention provides a relevant reference for environmental awareness and future technical cooperation. A dedicated ballast-water programme is not specified in AMSSA’s current strategic work plan.
London Convention and Protocol The London Convention and Protocol regulate the dumping of wastes and other matter at sea. The Protocol applies a precautionary approach and generally prohibits dumping, except for materials that may be considered for permission under its specified list and controls. These instruments provide important context for marine environmental governance, distinct from MARPOL’s regulation of pollution from ship operations.
Sustainable Development Goal 14 AMSSA’s programme supports SDG 14, Life Below Water, through sustainable resource management, ecosystem protection, pollution preparedness and improved maritime governance.
Our 2026 priorities
AMSSA’s annual programme sets out the following environmental priorities:
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Develop an African Regional Pollution Response Plan, including response assets and mutual-aid arrangements.
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Conduct a joint marine spill simulation exercise.
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Produce climate adaptation guidance for African coastal ports and communities.
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Support a coordination mechanism for marine protected areas.
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Develop environmental monitoring capabilities within the proposed AMIS architecture.
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Establish information-exchange arrangements with participating authorities and regional maritime centres.
These are planned activities. Their delivery depends on resources, participating institutions and agreed cooperation arrangements.
Our ambitions for 2031
Working together
AMSSA’s approach centres on cooperation between national authorities, regional organisations, research institutions, industry and civil society. Its strategy prioritises technical assistance and the sharing of proven practices rather than duplicating existing institutions.
We welcome enquiries from organisations interested in pollution preparedness, environmental monitoring, marine conservation, climate adaptation and related capacity-building partnerships.
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Explore environmental resources
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Discuss a partnership