What Are MARPOL Special Areas?

The 1973 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), amended in 1978, outlines the steps mandatory to prevent marine pollution from vessels which is vital for marine environmental protection. At the centre of its framework are the ‘MARPOL Special Areas’, certain areas of the ocean, designated as specifically vulnerable to pollution and needing increased protection due to several reasons which will be discussed in this article.

What Are MARPOL Special Areas?

In technical terms, MARPOL Special Areas are oceanic regions which require higher levels of protection against pollution because of sea traffic, and ecological, oceanographic, scientific and socio-economic significance. 

These areas need special attention due to their unique environmental conditions, like high biodiversity, presence of endangered species, low water circulation, and importance for sustaining local livelihoods.

How are MARPOL Special Areas Designated?

There are a few criteria, and the regions that meet these benchmarks are designated as Special Areas under different MARPOL Annexes, each dealing with a different type of marine pollution.

Some of these criteria include:

• Regions with unique hydrographic conditions like water bodies that are enclosed or semi-enclosed.
• Marine habitats that support endangered or threatened species or have high marine biodiversity must be protected.
• Areas in which the sustenance of locals depends on their rich marine resources, like the fishing communities.

Under the MARPOL Convention, the Special Areas are given a higher protection than other seas and are designated by the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee or MEPC by amendments to the MARPOL Annexes. There are Special Areas under Annexes I, II, IV and V. 

To get a special area designation, a proposing government should show that the basic MARPOL requirements don’t provide sufficient protection to the identified area or areas. Also, the designation does not enter into force unless there are reception facilities available in the region to handle the specific harmful substance from the ships.

Special Areas Under MARPOL Annexes

The Annexes dealing with special areas and different kinds of marine pollution are mentioned below.

Annex I: Oil Pollution

This Annex includes the following areas-

1. Mediterranean Sea
2. Baltic Sea
3. Black Sea
4. Red Sea
5. Gulf area
6. Gulf of Aden
7. Antarctic Area
8. North-West European Waters
9. Oman Area of the Arabian Sea
10. Southern South African Waters

Discharging oily waste from machinery spaces is prohibited in the above-mentioned special MARPOL Areas unless stringent conditions are met.

Annex II: Noxious Liquid Substances

1. Antarctic Area

Per this annex, it is prohibited to discharge hazardous liquid chemicals or other substances in this area. Discharges are limited to a few reception facilities.

Annex IV: Sewage Pollution

1. The Baltic Sea

Areas like the Baltic Sea prohibit sewage discharge unless the vessel has advanced treatment systems which meet stringent standards.

Note: The US is not a signatory to Annex IV so it cannot establish a Special Area for sewage pollution from ships.

Annex V: Garbage Pollution

1. Mediterranean Sea
2. Baltic Sea
3. Black Sea
4. Red Sea
5. The Gulfs Area
6. North Sea
7. Antarctic Area ( South of Latitude 60 deg South)
8. Wider Caribbean Region including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Seas

Ships are prohibited from discharging garbage in the above-mentioned areas. 

Annex VI: Air Pollution (Emission Control Areas or ECA’s)

1. Baltic Sea (SOX)( NOx)
2. North Sea (SOX)(NOx)
3. North American ECA ( SOx, PM and NOx)
4. United States and Caribbean Sea ECA ( SOx, PM and NOx)

The Baltic and North Seas, the North American Emission Control Area and the U.S. and Caribbean Sea ECA are designated zones where strict emission limits are applicable to reduce sulphur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs)

The MEPC began the study of PSSAs in response to resolution 9 of the 1978 International Conference on Tanker Safety and Pollution Prevention regarding the protection of these sea areas.

The MEPC defined PSSA as a sea area which requires special protection by IMO due to its ecological, scientific and socio-economic importance and because it might be threatened by international shipping.

Only IMO can assess proposals to designate PSSAs and adopt associated protective measures in this regard.

Since 1990, the MEPC has designated 14 PSSAs per the PSSA Guidelines adopted by the IMO Assembly.

The list of PSSAs is given below-

• Great Barrier Reef
• Archipelago of Sabana-Camague
• Sea Area around Malpelo Island
• Marine Area around the Florida Keys
• Wadden Sea
• Paracas National Reserve
• Western European Waters
• Torres Strait as an extension to GBR PSSA
• Canary Islands
• Galapagos Archipelago
• Baltic Sea Area
• Papahanaumo-kuakea Marine National Monument (North-western Hawaiian Islands)
• Strait of Bonifacio
• Saba Bank (Caribbean Island of Saba)

Ships operating in Special Areas must have advanced equipment like oily water separators and onboard sewage treatment plants. Additionally, ports lying in the Special Areas must offer reception facilities for ships to dispose of the waste. Ships should adhere to operational restrictions in these areas which include limits on ballast water exchange, discharge timings, cargo tank cleaning etc.

While designating areas as MARPOL Special Areas and Particularly Sensitive Areas is a positive step in safeguarding these pristine marine environments, it is certainly not enough as their implementation presents several challenges.

Coastal Nations have to ensure that foreign vessels comply with the MARPOL regulations and this requires monitoring and strict enforcement measures which might be difficult to implement.

Also, the absence of appropriate water reception facilities in some ports limits compliance.

Increasing global ship traffic has heightened the risk of accidents which can cause pollution.

To solve these issues, nations must cooperate and invest in innovative maritime technologies that focus on waste treatment and reducing emissions since marine pollution is a global issue that affects all. Educating seafarers and bringing awareness to the coastal communities along with industry stakeholders can bring about significant improvement in the long run as people understand the harmful effects of marine pollution and take steps to curb it. 

Conclusion

MARPOL Special Areas are important for protecting the sensitive marine ecosystems which would otherwise suffer from the harmful impact of human activities. As global maritime trade grows and more ships are built, leading to increased ship traffic on the high seas, it becomes even more important to take measures to protect these oceanic regions from accidents which could lead to oil spills and consequently pollution which would not only impact marine fauna and flora but also coastal communities which depend on marine resources like fisheries for their livelihoods.

Hence, keeping a balance between economic growth and environmental protection is a major challenge that needs to be addressed by tightening regulations, investing in sustainable maritime technologies and achieving international cooperation among nations.

You might also like to read-

• MARPOL ANNEX 4 Explained – How to Prevent Pollution from Sewage at Sea
• MARPOL (The International Convention for Prevention of Marine Pollution For Ships): The Ultimate Guide
• MARPOL Annex 1 Explained: How To Prevent Pollution From Oil At Sea
• 7 Ways For Ships To Meet MARPOL NOx Tier III Regulation

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Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

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