MARPOL:- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973
Just like SOLAS, which regulates the shipping industry to follow minimum standards to safeguard life at sea, the
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships /MARPOL is another important convention for
the prevention of pollution of the marine environment
It gives standards for stowing, handling, shipping and transferring toxic waste. Also, it lays down rules regarding
the disposal of ship-generated hazardous waste like cleaning agents and cargo hold washing water.
MAPOL and SOLAS are considered two adequate safety and environmental protection tools of IMO.
MARPOL 73/78, since it 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 ensures that the marine environment
is preserved by the elimination of pollution by all harmful substances discharged from the ship.
This marine environmental convention consists of six implemented annexes with their appendix for
controlling and eliminating marine pollution.
They are as follows:
Annexe I: Regulation for pollution prevention by oil (October 1983).
Annex II: Regulations for controlling pollution by Noxious Liquid Substance in bulk (April 1987).
Annexe III: Regulation for preventing pollution by harmful substances carried at sea in packaged
form (July 1992).
Annexe IV: Regulation for pollution prevention by sewage from ships (Sep 2003).
Annexe V: Regulation for pollution prevention by Garbage from ships (Dec 1998).
Annex VI: Regulation for prevention of Air pollution from ships (May 2005).
They are as follows:
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 the ship, 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 Surveys and Certifications requirement for all oil tanker ships of 150GT and other sips of 400
GT. And comprises five 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 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.
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.
Regulation 17 lists the need for a compliant oil record book for machinery space in oil tankers of 150GT
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 down various
regulations (Regulation 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 requirement 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, and Regulation 41 lists down the rules
on safety and environmental protection during the STS operation, followed by Regulation 42, which tells
the notifications which need to be provided by the ship to port state and all the other parties involved in
the operation.
Chapter 9 details the special requirement for the use of carriage of oils in the Antarctica area with
Regulation 43.
Chapter 10 deals with the Verification of compliance with the provision of this convention under
Regulation 44 and 45, providing details of the application and the process for verification of compliance.
Chapter 11 lists the important requirement of the international code for ships operating in Polar waters
under Regulations 46 and 47. Regulation 46 lists down the definition for this annexe, followed by
Regulation 47 for the application and requirement for the ships sailing in polar waters.
MARPOL Annex II
Regulations for the control of pollution by Noxious Liquid Substance in bulk
(April 1987).
This Annex was adopted on the 6th of April 1987, which deals with controlling and preventing pollution
due to6 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 which are 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 the ships carrying noxious liquid substances in
bulk, followed by issuing and endorsing the certificate under Regulation 9. The duration and validity of
the certificate are provided in Regulation 10.
Chapter 4 specifies the Design, Construction, arrangement, and equipment for ships carrying Noxious
cargo in bulk under regulation 11, followed by Regulation 12, which provides the details of pumping,
piping, unloading arrangement 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 for control of discharges of Noxious liquid substance
residues.
Regulations 14 and 15 provide the details of the Procedure and arrangement manual and the Cargo
record book, which needs to be filled by the ships’ officers.
Chapter 6, which consists of Regulation 16, describes the role of government and authorised parties such
as port state control on measures of control to check, survey and assess the ships to carry the 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, giving the details of the
Shipboard pollution emergency plan for noxious liquid substances.
Chapter 8 lists the requirement 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 requirement of the international code for ships operating in Polar waters
under Regulations 21 and 22. Regulation 21 lists down the definition for this annexe, followed by
Regulation 22 for the application and requirement for the 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 those substances which are hazardous and carried in packaged cargo. The
identification of such material is provided in the IMDG Code. The MARPOL Annex III came into force on 1
July 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 requirement 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
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.
The authorisation of port-state control on the operational requirement of ships carrying such substance
under MARPOL Annex III is listed in Regulation 9.
Chapter 2 deals with the Verification of compliance with the provision 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).
Entered into force on 27 September 2003, this Annex focuses on preventing sewage pollution from ships.
It has 7 Chapters comprising 18 Regulations. It underlines restrictions for 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.
Regulation 7 & 8 gives details of the form, duration, and validity of the sewage pollution prevention
certificate.
Chapter 3 provides the need of having 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.
Chapter 4 consists of 2 regulations (12 & 13) with the details of the reception facilities requirement. Regulation 12
provides the government agencies with the compliance to have a reception facility—code 13 lists the requirement
of reception facilities for Passenger ships in special areas.
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 the Verification of compliance with the provision of this convention providing
details of the application and the process for compliance verification under Regulations 15 and 16.
Chapter 7 list the important requirement of the international code for ships operating in Polar waters
under Regulation 17 and 18. Regulation 17 lists down the definition for this annexe, followed by
Regulation 18 for the application and requirement for the ships sailing in polar waters.
MARPOL Annex V
Regulation for preventing pollution by Garbage from ships (Dec 1998).
This annexe deals with the garbage produced onboard ships, including e-waste and cargo residues and
ways to prevent pollution from the same. It was enforced on 31 December 1988, having 3 Chapters with
14 Regulations.
Chapter 1 gives general31 December MARPOL ANNEX II and consists of 10 regulations providing the
“Definition” of different terminologies used in the chapter under Regulation 1 and explains the
“Application” of this chapter in various types of ship 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.
Regulation 7 & 8 describes the reception facilities’ exceptions and requirements, including those inside
the special areas.
Regulation 9 consists 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 Garbage Management Plan (GMP), including record books and
placards.
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.
Regulation 7 & 8 describes the reception facilities’ exceptions and requirements, including those inside
the special areas.
Regulation 9 consists 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 Garbage Management Plan (GMP), including record books and
placards.
MARPOL Annex VI
Regulation for prevention of Air pollution from ships (May 2005).
This relatively new annexe deals explicitly with ways to prevent pollution from ships, both by accidental
causes and the one resulting 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 which explain
the “Application” of this chapter in different types of the ship, 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.
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 International Air Pollution Prevention (IOPP) certificate
and International Energy Efficiency Certificates (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 control of emissions from ships and consists of 7 Regulations,
starting with the details of ozone-depleting substances in Regulation12, such as the refrigerant used on
ships
Regulation 13 briefly describes Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) with different Tiers (Tier I, II and III) in and outside
the emission control areas.
Regulation 14 gives a brief about Sulphur Oxides (SOx) with the requirement for the quantity of sulphur
in the fuel oil as per the year, in and outside emission-controlled areas.
The emissions of Volatile Organic compounds from the oil tankers are considered in Regulation 15,
providing 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.
To comply with the exhaust emission requirements, proper fuel oil is made available to burn on ships,
whose condition is described in Regulation 18.
Chapter 4 provides the Regulation on Energy Efficiency on Ships having Regulations 19 to 23.
Regulation 19 talks about the application of this chapter on ships of 400GT and above.
Regulations 20 and 21 provide the details of 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 talks about the 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.
Thus, SOLAS and MARPOL conventions stand as two solid pillars that support the maritime industry by
protecting the most important issues – marine pollution prevention and the safety of human life.
