ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF MARINE TRANSPORTATION IN INDIA: A LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Abstract

Marine transport is one of the fastest and cheapest modes of the transport system. India is the 20th world largest maritime country in the world. The maritime sector in India comprises of ports, shipping, shipbuilding, and ship repair as well as inland water transport systems. Nearly, 95% of the world's trade by volume and 70% by value are moved through marine transport. Indias current share in global merchandise trade is around 0.80%, the maritime infrastructure plays an important role in the pace, structure, and pattern of our economic development.  

     In this context of marine transport, the three aspects of sustainable development are economic, environmental and social. The transportation system in India affects the natural environment in many ways. Land, vegetation, and natural habitats are impacted by the physical construction of the facilities used to move people and goods, such as highways, airport runways, and seaport facilities. Specifically, in marine transportation the vessels use for transport system has a greater environmental impact. The environmental impact of marine transportation includes air pollution, water pollution, and oil pollution. MARPOL convention helps to prevent marine pollution caused by ships from operational or accidental causes. In order to protect the Maritime environment and ecosystem, the IMO has established the Marine Environment Protection Committee, 2018 (MEPC) to addresses the environmental issues include the control and prevention of ship-source pollution , oil and chemicals spills, bulk cargo releases, sewage and garbage disposal; and emissions from ships, including air pollutants, underwater noise pollution and greenhouse gas emissions etc., In this paper I made an attempt to summarizes the environmental impact of marine transportation and the necessary policy taken by the IMO and  government of India to decrease the global environmental issues of maritime transport.