Which ships are required to carry a garbage management plan?

• A. 100+ GT
• B. 400+ GT
• C. 150+ GT
• D. All ships

Answer: (B)

Garbage management plans are required on ships large enough to generate significant waste and operate under MARPOL rules. The plan lays out how garbage will be collected, stored, handled, and disposed of to prevent pollution, and it helps ensure crew know who is responsible, what kinds of garbage exist, and how to document disposal. The standard threshold is 400 gross tonnage and above, so ships at or above this size must have an approved garbage management plan onboard and be able to present it for inspection. This plan is part of the ship’s environmental compliance and is typically tied to the ship’s Garbage Record Book and related handling procedures. Smaller ships generally don’t need a GMP under MARPOL Annex V unless a flag state or international voyage requirements impose one.