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Understanding Dredging

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Our policy Work on the London Convention & Protocol

The Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972 - the "London Convention" for short - is one of the first global conventions to protect the marine environment from human activities and has been in force since 1975. Its objective is to promote the effective control of all sources of marine pollution and to take all practicable steps to prevent pollution of the sea by dumping of wastes and other matter. Currently, 87 States are Parties to this Convention.

In 1996, the "London Protocol" was agreed to further modernize the Convention and, eventually, replace it. Under the Protocol all dumping is prohibited, except for possibly acceptable wastes on the so-called "reverse list". The Protocol entered into force on 24 March 2006 and there are currently 53 Parties to the Protocol.

A video about the achievements of the Convention and Protocol over the last 40 years, since the adoption of the London Convention in 1972, can be found here.

An extensive compilation of the events leading up to the adoption of the Convention and Protocol, as well as many of the historical documents (meeting reports, etc.), is available on the IMO Maritime Knowledge Centre website.

CEDA's role
The official observer at the London Convention and its Protocol is the World Organisation of Dredging Associations (WODA).  CEDA undertakes this work on behalf of WODA and actively participates in meetings, and relevant working groups, to provide independent expert advice and help shape policy development.

CEDA has a long history of working with the LC/LP (we were granted observer status in 1990). We are proud to be a recognised source of unbiased technical knowledge, and best practice, on all aspects of dredging and management of dredged sediments. Topics of particular relevance to us on the LC agenda include: contamination caused by dredged material; underwater noise; marine spatial planning and climate change adaptation.

You can access a range of guidance documents relevant for dredging, published by international bodies where CEDA has an official observer or stakeholder status here.