Governance & Policy
London Convention and Protocol
The IMO treaties prohibiting the dumping of waste at sea, with the 1996 Protocol permitting only listed materials such as dredged spoil.
Definition
The London Convention (1972) and its 1996 Protocol form the global regime regulating the dumping of wastes at sea. The Protocol adopts a precautionary reverse-list approach: dumping is prohibited unless a material is on the permitted list, which includes dredged material, fish waste and inert inorganic geological material. Amendments also address carbon capture and storage in sub-seabed formations.
Quick reference
At a glance
- Subject
- Governance & Policy
- Editorial status
- Editorial draft
- Definition status
- Established
- Last updated
- 19 August 2026
- Also known as
- London Protocol · London Dumping Convention · LC/LP
Overview
What it means
The default answer to "can we dump it in the ocean?" is no — only assessed, permitted exceptions apply.
How it is used
Dredging projects obtain sea-disposal permits; regulators assess ocean-fertilisation and geoengineering proposals against its rules; CCS projects navigate its export amendment.
Why it matters
It ended the era of routine ocean disposal and now gates emerging practices like marine carbon dioxide removal.
Review
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