Marine Pollution

MARPOL
The International Convention for the Prevention
of Pollution of Ships, 1973 (MARPOL 73/78)

• Annex I : Pollution By Oil
• Annex II: Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances
• Annex III: Pollution by Harmful Substances in Packaged Form
• Annex IV: Pollution by Sewage from Ships
• Annex V: Pollution by Garbage from Ships
• Annex VI: Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships
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The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of Ships, 1973
was adopted in 1973. This Convention was subsequently modified by the
Protocol 1978 relating thereto, which was adopted in 1978. The Protocol
introduced stricter regulations for the survey and certification of ships. It is to
be read as one instrument and is usually referred to as MARPOL 73/78.
This IMO Convention is the most important global treaty for the prevention of
pollution from the operation of ships; it governs the design and equipment of
ships; establishes system of certificates and inspections; requires states to
provide reception facilities for the disposal of oily waste and chemicals. It
covers all the technical aspects of pollution from ships, except the disposal of
waste into the sea by dumping, and applies to ships of all types, although it
does not apply to pollution arising out of the exploration and exploitation of
sea-bed mineral resources.
Regulations covering the various sources of ship-generated pollution are
contained in the six Annexes of the London Convention and are updated
regularly. Annexes I and II, governing oil and chemicals are compulsory but
annexes III, IV, V and VI on packaged materials, sewage, garbage and air
pollution are optional.
Annex I: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil
Entry into force: 2 October 1983
Details the discharge criteria and requirements for the prevention of pollution
by oil and oily substances. It maintains predominantly the oil discharge criteria
prescribed in the 1969 amendments to the 1954 Oil Pollution Convention.
Beside technical guidelines it contains the concept of "special areas" which are
considered to be vulnerable to pollution by oil. Discharges of oil within them
have been completely prohibited, with minor well-defined exceptions.
Annex II: Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances
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Entry into force: 6 April 1987
Details the discharge criteria and measures for the control of pollution by
noxious liquid substances carried in bulk. It subdivides substances into and
contains detailed operational standards and procedures. Some 250
substances were evaluated and included in the list appended to the London
Convention. The discharge of their residues is allowed only to reception
facilities until certain concentrations and conditions (which vary with the
category of substances) are compiled with. In any case, no discharge of
residues containing noxious substances is permitted within 12 miles of the
nearest land. More stringent restrictions apply to "special areas".
Annex III: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances
Carried by Sea in Packaged Form
Entry into force: 1 July 1992
Contains general requirements for the issuing of detailed standards on packing,
marking, labeling, documentation, stowage, quantity limitations, exceptions
and notifications for preventing pollution by harmful substances. The Annex
should be implemented through the International Maritime Dangerous Goods
(IMDG) Code, which has been amended to include marine pollutants. The
amendments entered into force on 1 January 1991.
Annex IV: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships
Entry into force: 27 September 2003". Contains requirements to control
pollution of the sea by sewage from ships.
Annex V: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships
Entry into force: 31 December 1988
This deals with different types of garbage and specifies the distances from land
and the manner in which they may be disposed of. The requirements are much
stricter in a number of "special areas" but perhaps the most important feature
of the Annex is the complete ban imposed on the dumping into the sea of all
forms of plastic.
Annex VI: Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships and NOx
Technical Code
Not yet into force: 12 months after being ratified by 15 States whose combined
fleet of merchant ships constitute at least 50% of the world fleet. Contains
requirements to control the air pollution from ships. It provides guidelines and
provisions for the emission of different substances and specifies the
requirements for the testing, survey and certification of marine diesel engines
to ensure they comply with the NOx limits. Amendments are made regularly.
Generally they facilitate the implementation of annexes, extend the concept of
"special areas", establish more sea areas as "special areas", replace list of
substances, design new construction standards for ships, precise reporting
requirements and reduce amount of oil which can be discharged into the sea
from ships.