MAX1 Studies was a six-month study commissioned by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and managed by M&O that primarily responded to two questions:
- How effective are shipboard Oily Water Separators?
- What can be done to further increase the effectiveness of shipboard oily waste management?
The study focused on oily waste streams as defined in MARPOL Annex I, inclusive of oil residues (sludge) and engine-room oily bilge water. However, solutions developed not only benefit machinery space waste stream management and OWS systems but all shipboard waste stream management and larger environmental management components on board vessels.
This website serves as the permanent repository for information gathered during the MAX1 Studies through the following main aspects of the study:
MAX1 FINAL REPORT
Cost Analysis
Chronology
Survey
Conference
Library
The development and improvement of shipboard waste stream management and OWS systems is an on-going effort that continues to suggest new improvements and solution paths as further information becomes available and new regulations come into effect. Historically, development has been hampered by a lack of open communication and technical cooperation throughout the system. Therefore, this effort particularly focused on cooperative evaluation and analysis, especially through identifying and engaging stakeholders to consolidate possible divergent points of view.
NFWF funded a follow up study that evaluated the cost effectiveness of environmental compliance as compared to the cost of non-compliance. That study was completed in 2017, and the results of that study are posted here.