Marpol Convention

MARPOL CONVENTION
FOR PREVENTION OF SHIP BASED

POLLUTION
H.M.S.K Herath
ENS2043
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the
main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by
ships from operational or accidental causes (IMO). MARPOL is the short term for Marine
pollution and this convention was introduced with an aim to protect the marine environment.
MARPOL is divided in to various Annexes based on the type of pollutants. It was adopted on
1973.11.02 but later the 1978 protocol of MARPOL convention included the first convention
to it. And during 1983, 1997 and 2005 and years after that necessary updates were done to it.
MARPOL comprises six technical annexes.
ANNEX Ⅰ describes the prevention of pollution by oil. It was Came in to action in 1983 2 nd
of October. This covers prevention of pollution from oil during operational (ignorance by
ship crew) or accidental discharges. It has 11 chapters which contains 47 regulations.
Chapter 1 describes MARPOL ANNEX Ⅰ and also includes definitions of different terms
used in the Chapter. Chapter 2 consist 5 regulations and describes Surveys and Certifications
requirement for all oil tanker ships of 150GT and other ships of 400 GT. It describes that any
discharge of oil into the sea from ships of 400GT and greater or from cargo areas of vessel
shall be prohibited except when a number of process conditions are satisfied.
ANNEX Ⅰ also describes that all ships should contain a standard discharge connection for
safe discharge of oil to an approved facility. In case of an emergency spilling, Shipboard oil
Emergency Plan manual (SOPEP) and Vessel response plan (VRP) should be referred and act
accordingly. The entries for oil discharges or bilge water processing should be accurately
recorded in oil Record book. Entries of such items as oil and oily waste discharges, internal
transfers and bilge water processing are to be accurately recorded in the Oil Record Book.
ANNEX II consists of Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid

Substances in Bulk, Intentionally or accidentally and came in to action on April 6th 1987. It
consists of 10 chapters with 22 regulations.
Chapter 2, Regulation 6 provides details different categories of noxious liquid substances and
requirement for the ships that carry those materials.
1. Category X - Major hazard; Strictly not allowed to discharge into the sea
2. Category Y - Hazardous; only limited discharging is permitted
3. Category Z - Minor hazard; only minor restrictions on discharging
4. Category OS (Other Substances) - No hazard or restrictions
ANNEX II also mentions that every liquid bulk cargo must be completely contained and
properly stored. In addition to the IBC book, the ship should also have a Procedures and
Arrangements Manual which details the methods of loading, discharge and manage the cargo.
All the information of loading, discharge or transfer should be recorded in Cargo Record
Book.
ANNEX Ⅲ contain the regulation for prevention of pollution by Harmful substances carried
at sea in packaged form. This was came in to action on 1992 July 1 st. It comprises 2 chapters
with 11 regulations.
This prohibits carrying harmful substances on board with the exceptions given in the Annex.
As supplements to the Annex detailed requirements on documentation, Packaging and
labeling should be issued by parties of convention. Previous packages which were used to
carry harmful substances still are considered as Harmful substance unless it was proved to be
free of any residues. These requirements are not considered for other types of sored
equipment of ship.
ANNEX Ⅳ of MARPOL describes the regulations for the pollution by sewage from ships.
This was entered in to force on 27 th September 2003. It has 7 chapters comprising of 18
regulations. These regulations include the operational procedures and certifications to be
followed in sewage discharge.
Sewage treatment systems and storing tanks should be fitted for ships over 400 tons or for
ships less than 400 tons but carrying more than 15 passengers. Also standard discharge
connections should be fitted in all ships to pump out the sewage to a reception facility. Only
the properly treated sewage is allowed to release 3 nautical miles away from land and
untreated sewage can be discharged 12 nautical miles away from land in a moderate rate. But
it’s prohibited to release sewage in No Discharge Zones declared by coastal states. When
sewage is mixed with waste water more strict regulations may apply.
ANNEX Ⅴ of MARPOL contains regulations for prevention of pollution by garbage from

ships. It was come in to action on 31 st December 1988. It consists of 3 chapters with 14
regulations.
According to ANNEX Ⅴ anywhere at sea; discharge of plastics, Synthetic Fishing nets,

Incinerated garbage or sludge, oil residues, or residues which are considered to be harmful
are illegal to be released in to ocean. The Ships greater than 100 GRT should have a garbage
management plan and ships greater than 400 GRT should maintain a Garbage record book.
ANNEX Ⅵ is for regulations for prevention of Air pollution from ships. It contains 5
chapters with 25 regulations. It came in to action on 19th May 2005.
If the ships are operating in emission control areas should follow more strict regulatory
emission limits for sulfur, and nitrogen oxides. CFC and halon chemicals should not be
released in to air. At present most ship engines are made in a way that they release only a
little amount of sulfur, nitrogen or other gases. PVC should only be incinerated in specially
approved incinerators.
References.
1. Julian, Michael. "MARPOL 73/78: the International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships." Maritime Studies 2000.113 (2000): 16-23.
2. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.imo.org/
3. What is MARPOL Convention? IMO Convention for the Prevention of Pollution
from Ships. Feb 11, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.edumaritime.net/
4. Raunek. MARPOL (The International Convention for Prevention of Marine Pollution
For Ships): The Ultimate Guide. August 25, 2021. Marine insight.
https://www.marineinsight.com/
ss

Marpol Convention

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Marpol Convention

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Marpol Convention

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

MARPOL CONVENTION

FOR PREVENTION OF SHIP BASED

ANNEX II consists of Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid

ANNEX Ⅴ of MARPOL contains regulations for prevention of pollution by garbage from

According to ANNEX Ⅴ anywhere at sea; discharge of plastics, Synthetic Fishing nets,

You might also like