MARPOL (The International Convention for Prevention of Marine Pollution For Ships): The Ultimate Guide

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships /MARPOL is an important convention for preventing pollution of the maritime environment.

It sets standards for stowing, handling, and shipping and lays down rules regarding the disposal of ship-generated hazardous waste, such as cleaning agents and cargo hold washing water.

MARPOL and SOLAS are considered two adequate safety and environmental protection tools of IMO.

What is MARPOL, and why was it adopted?

MARPOL Convention was adopted at IMO on November 2, 1973. The 1978 Protocol was adopted due to a rise in maritime accidents involving tankers in 1976 and 1977.

Since the 1973 convention did not enter into force, the 1978 protocol was merged with it, and the combined convention entered into force on October 2, 1983.

A Protocol amending the convention was adopted in 1997, and the 6th Annex was also added. This entered into force on May 19, 2005. Since then, MARPOL has been regularly updated through new amendments.

The MARPOL Convention has regulations to prevent and reduce pollution from ships, both from accidents like oil spills and from a ship’s daily operations.

MARPOL has 6 technical annexes with various chapters and regulations.

All vessels flagged under nations that are MARPOL signatories must adhere to its requirements, irrespective of where they sail, and member states are also responsible for ships on their national ship registry.

Read: SOLAS – The Ultimate Guide

MARPOL

MARPOL 73/78, which came into force in 1973 and was later revised by the protocol in 1978, ensures that shipping remains the least environmentally damaging mode of transport. It also preserves the marine environment by eliminating pollution from all harmful substances discharged from ships.

Six Annexes of MARPOL

Annex I: Regulation for pollution prevention by oil (October 1983).

Annex II: Regulations for controlling pollution by Noxious Liquid Substance in Bulk (April 1987).

Annex III: Regulation for preventing pollution by harmful substances carried at sea in packaged form (July 1992).

Annex IV: Regulation for pollution prevention by sewage from ships (Sep 2003).

Annex V: Regulation for pollution prevention by Garbage from ships (Dec 1998).

Annex VI: Regulation for prevention of Air pollution from ships (May 2005).

Summary of MARPOL Annexes and Important Regulations

MARPOL Annex I

Regulation for the prevention of pollution by oil

(October 1983)

This marpol protocol was adopted on 2nd October 1983 to prevent oil discharge or oily mixtures from ships intentionally or accidentally. It comprises 11 chapters, which together contain 47 Regulations. It was brought about due to a spate of tanker accidents.

Chapter 1 gives a general description of MARPOL ANNEX I and consists of 5 regulations which explain the “Application” of this chapter in different types of ships, along with the “Definition” of different terminologies used in the chapter. The regulation may not apply to all kinds of ships; hence, a separate section for “Exceptions” and “Exemptions” is also provided. It also explains the condition where an administrator may allow alternative fittings, materials, appliances, etc., to be installed on ships to fulfil this annexe.

Most importantly, this annexe prohibits dumping hazardous waste within 12 nautical miles of the nearest land.

Chapter 2 deals with the Survey and Certification requirement for all oil tanker ships of 150 GT and other ships of 400 GT and comprises 5 regulations.

Regulation 6 describes the requirement for different surveys to comply with MARPOL Annexe 1.

Regulation 7 provides the terms to issue or endorse the IOPP certificate to the ship post successful survey by the appropriate administration. Regulation 8 also describes how to issue or support the certificates by another contracting government, followed by Regulation 9, which tells the form of the certificate, including languages such as English or the official language of the issuing country.

Regulation 10 explains the duration and validity of certificates and provides timelines for the renewal of certificates.

Regulation 11 terms the authority of port state control under Annex 1 to inspect the ship for compliance.

Chapter 3 deals with the Requirements for Machinery spaces for all ships and lists the requirements under Regulations 12 to 17 so that the engine room and other machinery spaces comply with MARPOL Annex 1.

Regulation 12 explains the requirement of storage tanks for oil residues produced on all types of ships due to machinery operation and methods to dispose of the oil residue. It further provides details to protect the fuel oil tanks for vessels having a fuel oil capacity of 600m3 and above.

Related Read: List of Important Tanks on a Ship

Regulation 13 describes the requirement for standard discharge connection on a ship to dispose of oil residue from sludge and bilge tanks.

Regulation 14 The requirements of oil filtration equipment onboard a ship for discharging engine room bilges or ballast water from fuel oil tanks are given in this regulation, followed by Regulation 15, which restricts the discharge of treated bilges in special areas.

Regulation 16 explains the requirement of segregating oil and water ballast carried in the ship’s fuel tank.

Related Read: A Guide To Ballast Tanks On Ships

Regulation 17 lists the need for a compliant oil record book for machinery space in oil tankers of 150 GT and above and other ships of 400 GT and above.

Chapter 4 deals with the Requirements of Cargo areas in an oil tanker ship, listing various regulations (Regulations 18 to 36).

Chapter 5 describes how to prevent pollution from an oil pollution incident. Regulation 37, which lists the SOPEP or Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan, provides the details.

Chapter 6 lists the requirements for the reception facilities to which the ship will dispose of the oily bilge/ sludge under Regulation 38, providing details of the facility outside and inside special areas.

Chapter 7 provides the special requirement for a fixed or floating platform to comply with Annex 1 of MARPOL with Regulation 39.

Chapter 8 deals with preventing pollution, which may happen during cargo oil between tankers at sea, also known as ship-to-ship transfer (STS). It comprises three regulations from 40 to 42.

Regulation 40 provides the scope of application for this chapter, Regulation 41 lists the rules on safety and environmental protection during the STS operation, and Regulation 42 outlines the notifications that the ship must provide to the port state and all the other parties involved in the operation.

Chapter 9 details the special requirement for shipping oil in the Antarctica area under Regulation 43.

Chapter 10 deals with the verification of compliance with the provisions of this convention under Regulations 44 and 45, providing details of the application and the process for verification of compliance.

Chapter 11 lists the important requirements of the international code for ships operating in polar waters under Regulations 46 and 47. Regulation 46 defines this annexe, followed by Regulation 47, which outlines the application and requirements for ships sailing in polar waters.

MARPOL Annex II

Regulations for the control of pollution by Noxious Liquid Substance in Bulk

(April 1987)

This Annex, adopted on April 6, 1987, deals with controlling and preventing pollution due to 6 Apriluid substances in bulk, intentionally or accidentally. It comprises ten chapters, which together contain 22 Regulations.

Chapter 1 gives general details on MARPOL ANNEX II and consists of 5 regulations providing the “Definition” of different terminologies used in the chapter and explains the “Application” of this chapter in various types of ships (Chemical tankers, etc.).

The regulation may not apply to all kinds of vessels; hence, a separate section for “Exceptions” and “Exemptions” is also provided. It also explains the condition where an administrator may allow alternative fittings, materials, appliances, etc., to be installed on ships to fulfil this annexe.

Chapter 2 details different categories of Noxious liquid substances under regulation 6.

Chapter 3 lists the need for surveys and certification with four regulations from 7 to 10. Rule 7 deals with the surveys and certificates needed by chemical tankers following the provision of the International Bulk Chemical Code.

Regulation 8 details the need for different surveys for ships carrying noxious liquid substances in bulk. The certificate is issued and endorsed under Regulation 9. Regulation 10 provides the duration and validity of the certificate.

Chapter 4 specifies the Design, Construction, arrangement, and equipment for ships carrying Noxious cargo in bulk under regulation 11. It is followed by Regulation 12, which provides the details of pumping, piping, unloading arrangements, and slop tanks.

Chapter 5 carries three regulations from 13 to 15 for the operational discharge of residues of noxious liquid substances.

Regulation 13 lists the need to control discharges of Noxious liquid substance residues.

Regulations 14 and 15 provide details of the Procedure and arrangement manual and the Cargo record book, which the ships’ officers must complete.

Chapter 6, which consists of Regulation 16, describes the role of government and authorised parties, such as port state control, in controlling measures to check, survey, and assess the ships carrying cargo under MARPOL Annex II.

Chapter 7 deals with the prevention of pollution arising from an incident involving noxious liquid substances and consists of Regulation 17, which gives details of the Shipboard pollution emergency plan for noxious liquid substances.

Chapter 8 lists the requirements for the reception facilities to which the ship can dispose of the residues and mixture generated from noxious liquid substances under Regulation 38, providing details of the facility and terminal unloading arrangements.

Chapter 9 deals with the Verification of compliance with the provision of this convention under Regulations 19 and 20, providing details of the application and the process for compliance verification.

Chapter 10 lists the important requirements of the international code for ships operating in polar waters under Regulations 21 and 22. Regulation 21 defines this annexe, followed by Regulation 22, which outlines the application and requirements for ships sailing in polar waters.

MARPOL Annex III

Regulation for preventing pollution by harmful substances carried at sea in packaged form

(July 1992)

This Annex deals with hazardous substances carried in packaged cargo. The IMDG Code provides for the identification of such material.

The MARPOL Annex III came into force on July 1 1992, and comprised 2 Chapters containing 11 regulations.

Chapter 1 gives general details on MARPOL ANNEX III, consisting of 9 regulations.

Regulations 1 & 2 explain the “Definition” of different terminologies used in the chapter and the “Application” of this chapter in various types of ships carrying Hazardous goods.

Regulations 3 & 4 list the requirements for packaging and Marking/labelling of the packages carrying IMDG cargoes.

Regulation 5 provides the details of the documentation which are needed by the ship which is carrying hazardous material under MARPOL Annex 3

Related Read: A Guide To HAZMAT Cargo Loading On Ships

The storage requirement and quantity limitations for carrying harmful substances in bulk are provided under Regulations 6 & 7.

Regulation 8 lists the exceptions a ship carrying harmful cargo in bulk can have under various circumstances.

Regulation 9 lists the authorisation of port-state control on the operational requirement of ships carrying such substance under MARPOL Annex III.

Chapter 2 deals with verifying compliance with the provisions of this convention, providing details of the application and the process for compliance verification under Regulations 10 and 11.

MARPOL Annex IV

Regulation for the prevention of pollution by sewage from ships

(Sep 2003)

This Annex, which entered into force on 27 September 2003, focuses on preventing sewage pollution from ships. It has 7 Chapters comprising 18 Regulations and underlines restrictions on the discharge of sewage from ships.

Chapter 1 gives a general description of MARPOL ANNEX IV and consists of 3 regulations which explain the “Definition” of different terminologies used in the chapter and the “Application” of this chapter in various types of ships. The regulation may not apply to all kinds of ships; hence a separate section of “Exceptions” is also provided.

Chapter 2 lists the need for surveys and certification with five regulations from regulations 4 to 8. Rule 4 deals with the surveys to be done on ships implicated by this Annex. Regulations 4 & 5 provide the details for the issue or endorsement of certificates by the administration and another government. Regulations 7 & 8 give details of the form, duration, and validity of the sewage pollution prevention certificate.

Chapter 3 provides the need for Equipment and control of sewage discharge from the ship. Regulation 9 under this chapter provides details of sewage system requirements on ships, followed by Regulations 10 and 11 for having a standard sewage discharge connection to transfer sewage to port facilities and discharge sewage at sea within and outside particular areas.

Related Read: Sewage Treatment Plant on Ships Explained

Chapter 4 consists of 2 regulations (12 & 13) with the details of the reception facilities requirement. Regulation 12 provides government agencies with the compliance to have a reception facility—code 13 lists the requirement of reception facilities for Passenger ships in special areas.

Related Read: Cruise Ship Sewage Discharges Into The Baltic Sea To Be Banned

Chapter 5, which consists of Regulation 14, describes the role of government and authorised parties, such as port state control, on measures of control to check, survey, and assess the ships under MARPOL Annex IV.

Chapter 6 deals with verifying compliance with the provisions of this convention, providing details of the application and the process for compliance verification under Regulations 15 and 16.

Chapter 7 lists the important requirements of the international code for ships operating in polar waters under Regulations 17 and 18. Regulation 17 lists the definition for this annexe, followed by Regulation 18, which outlines the application and requirements for ships sailing in polar waters.

MARPOL Annex V

Regulation for preventing pollution by Garbage from ships

(Dec 1998)

This deals with garbage produced onboard ships, including e-waste and cargo residues, and ways to prevent pollution from them. It was enforced on 31 December 1988 and has three Chapters and 14 Regulations.

Chapter 1 consists of 10 regulations, each providing the “Definition” of different terminologies used in the chapter under Regulation 1 and explaining the “Application” of this chapter in various types of ships in Regulation 2.

Regulation 3 lists the general prohibition on garbage discharge at sea, followed by Regulation 4 for the discharge of waste outside special areas.

Regulation 5 specifies the special requirements for garbage discharge from fixed and floating platforms. The need to discharge waste in the special area is given under Regulation 6.

Regulations 7 & 8 describe the reception facilities’ exceptions and requirements, including those inside the special areas.

Regulation 9 consists of the role of port-state control on measures of control to check, survey and assess the ships under MARPOL Annex V.

Regulation 10 deals with the need for a Garbage Management Plan (GMP), including record books and placards.

Chapter 2 deals with the Verification of compliance with the provision of this convention under Regulations 11 and 12

Chapter 3 lists the important requirements of the international code for ships operating in polar waters under Regulations 13 and 14. Regulation 13 lists the definition for this annexe, followed by Regulation 14, which outlines the application and requirements for ships sailing in polar waters.

MARPOL Annex VI

Regulation for prevention of Air pollution from ships

(May 2005)

It deals with ways to prevent pollution from ships, both by accidental causes and from routine operations and operational wastes. It came into force on 19th May 2005, having five chapters with 25 Regulations.

It has put limits on nitrogen and sulphur e19 May and particulate matter from marine diesel engines with a power of over 130kw.

Chapter 1 gives a general description of MARPOL ANNEX VI and consists of 4 regulations that explain the chapter’s “Application” in different types of ships and the “Definition” of different terminologies used in the chapter.

The regulation may not apply to all kinds of ships; hence, a separate section for “Exceptions” and “Exemptions” is also provided. It also explains the condition where an administrator may allow alternative fittings, materials, appliances, etc., to be installed on ships to fulfil this annex.

Chapter 2 lists the survey, certification, and means of control dealing with air pollution from the ship. It has 7 Regulations, with Regulation 5 explaining the need for different surveys for the vessel to prevent air pollution, followed by issuing and endorsing the International Air Pollution Prevention (IOPP) certificate and International Energy Efficiency Certificate (IEEC) in Regulation 6.

Regulation 7 provides the details for the issue or endorsement of certificates by another party, followed by the forms of certificates and statement of compliance related to fuel oil consumption reporting in Regulations 8 for both IOPP and IEEC. The details for the validity of these certificates are provided in Regulation 9.

Regulation 10 terms the authority of port state control under Annex VI to inspect the ship for compliance.

Regulation 11 explains how the administration and authorised party can detect ships for the violation and how to enforce this annexe.

Chapter 3 deals with the requirements for controlling emissions from ships and consists of 7 Regulations. It starts with the details of ozone-depleting substances in Regulation 12, such as the refrigerant used on ships.

Regulation 13 briefly describes nitrogen oxides (NOx) in different tiers (Tiers I, II, and III) in and outside the emission control areas.

Regulation 14 briefly discusses Sulphur Oxides (SOx) and the requirement for the quantity of sulphur in fuel oil as per the year, in and outside emission-controlled areas.

Regulation 15 considers the emissions of Volatile Organic compounds from oil tankers and provides the details to comply with the requirements.

Regulation 16 talks about the shipboard incineration operations and when the incineration is allowed.

Regulation 17 describes the reception facilities’ requirements for disposing of ozone-depleting substances, residue from exhaust cleaning, etc.

Proper fuel oil is made available to burn on ships, whose condition is described in Regulation 18, to comply with the exhaust emission requirements.

Chapter 4 provides the Regulation on Energy Efficiency on Ships, which has Regulations 19 to 23. Regulation 19 discusses the application of this chapter to ships of 400GT and above.

Regulations 20 and 21 provide the details of the Attained Energy Efficiency Design Index (Attained EEDI) and Required EEDI.

The Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) requirements, which should be kept onboard, are provided in Regulation 22. Further, the requirement for fuel oil consumption data collection and reporting to the administration is also listed in this regulation.

Regulation 23 discusses technical cooperation between different parties (Administration, Government agency, Shipping company, etc.) to improve the energy efficiency of ships.

Chapter 5 deals with the Verification of compliance with the provision of this convention under Regulations 24 and 25.

IMO 2020

On January 1, 2020, new emission standards entered into force regarding fuel oil used by vessels in a regulation called IMO 2020.

In this, the global sulphur limit, outside the SECA Zone, decreased from an earlier allowed 3.5% sulphur in marine fuels to 0.5%.

This move will improve the air quality in many populated regions and prevent the rise of asthma cases. More than 170 countries, including the U.S., have ratified the changes.

Also, bunker fuels within emission control zones like the North Sea should have less than 0.1% sulphur content.

Challenges in Implementing MARPOL

The IMO regulations have to be agreed to by member countries with a gross tonnage of at least 50% of the world’s gross tonnage. The process of achieving this can be quite complicated sometimes. Hence, a system has been devised to solve this issue: if a member does not raise any objection within a certain time period, it is considered that the state has agreed to the treaty.

The Flag State must certify the vessel’s compliance with MARPOL regulations, and each member of the convention must pass domestic laws to implement them in their respective countries.

However, given the international nature of shipping, when ship incidents happen outside a nation’s jurisdiction, then the country where the incident happened can refer the case to the flag state per MARPOL. However, per reports, flag states sometimes do not cooperate.

In 2015, new regulations increased the SECA (Sulphur Emission Controlled Areas) Zone to accommodate the North Sea, a portion of the English Channel, and Scandinavia, which European ferry operators disliked.

There have been concerns regarding ferry operators choosing to deliver freight via roadways, as MARPOL can increase ferry costs for consumers and companies alike, increasing air pollution.

Conclusion

MARPOL is a vital international instrument for checking maritime pollution from ships. It is updated regularly with new regulations to tackle the new challenges emerging in the global shipping industry, which hamper the marine environment and its flora and fauna. Each member state must pass domestic laws to implement the MARPOL regulations in their respective countries to prevent pollution from ships and preserve the marine ecosystem for years to come.

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4 Comments

Titovych says:

January 18, 2021 at 8:09 pm

Plastic owerboard,
Roland Joseph says:

March 22, 2021 at 6:22 pm

wonderful work you are doing

we all should work together to protect our environment
Don Mitchel says:

December 25, 2022 at 4:29 pm

United States Ballast Water Regulations
To satisfy ballast water legislation signed into law, The “ final rule”/ regulations and/or lack of regulation appears according to this link, scheduled for February 2023 four years after the release of purposed regulation in 2020 to satisfy the legislation signed into law in 2018
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=202204&RIN=2040-AF92
Will it matter what happens in the election for 2024? Sadly the history for addressing ballast water, is a history that follows elections producing few results. Back in 2008 when all the senators were running for President, H.R.2830 was left to die in the senate and the new administration opted for more study, over 4years later and after 2012 reelection we got a weak vessel incidental discharge act called VIDA. Hopefully the EPA will not continue to purpose weakening the existing VIDA, by removal of BMP’s (such as trying to avoid the uptakes of sewage and pathogens etc., which they purposed in 2020) and will additionally add something meaningful for the Great Lakes after purposing nothing. This is legislation that uses Federalism and neglects considering the effects of global warming. It dose not consider, (by design) that all United States citizens who depend on clean water for their life, health, and livelihood should be included as stakeholders. The general public is being left clueless by the media and politicians about the dangers and the permanent destruction to our countries water being exasperated by climate change ballast water presents. The emphasis the EPA places on cost is contrary to President Obama’s amending the invasive species act to reflect the need to consider human health when global warming is a factor.
Sincerely,
Don Mitchel
Anish says:

January 19, 2023 at 11:33 am

Thank you for your comment