It’s time for shipping to properly regulate plastic pollution


Close up ocean plastic nurdles


In the vast expanses of the world’s oceans, a silent yet pervasive threat is taking shape: nurdles. These tiny, pre- production plastic pellets, measuring between 2 to 5 millimeters in diameter, are fundamental to the plastics industry, serving as the building blocks for a myriad of plastic products. However, their small size belies the significant environmental and potential health hazards they pose.


By Emma Forbes-Gearey, Loss Prevention Officer for West P&I


The start of 2024 highlighted the ongoing problem of plastic nurdle pollution. In January, the news reported a significant incident involving a spillage of nurdles from a shipping container caused by a storm the vessel encountered in December 2023. Over 1000 sacks of plastic nurdles were lost from a Danish ship, and 25 tonnes of plastic pellets fell from a Liberian vessel. These spills had a considerable impact on Spain, where vast quantities of nurdles washed up on the coastline and are notoriously hard to collect.


Nurdles pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems because they are often spilled during transportation, resulting in millions of nurdles entering the marine environment annually. Due to their minuscule size, they are not always readily visible except when they wash up in unusually huge quantities. Often mistaken for food by a wide range of marine species, they are ingested once they enter the ocean. This misidentification is particularly dangerous for smaller marine organisms, as it can lead to internal injuries, blockages, and starvation. Furthermore, as nurdles break down over time, they can release harmful chemicals, especially if they have absorbed toxic substances. These chemicals may contaminate the food chain and disrupt the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.


84 | ISSUE 113 | SEP 2025 | THE REPORT


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