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The MARPOL Convention
Information about the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
The MARPOL Convention, adopted on 2 November 1973, is an international convention for the protection of the marine environment, which is in force world-wide. The Articles of the Convention contain general provisions such as applicable definitions and scope. The Convention additionally comprises two Protocols and six Annexes. Annexes I to VI of the Convention deal with different types of marine pollution attributable to shipping.
Annex I: Prevention of pollution by Oil
Annex I (in force since 2 October 1983) deals with structural requirements and imposes strict limitations on oil discharges. To ensure compliance with the discharge requirements, special technical equipment has to be installed on ships. Besides, all important shipboard operations, especially operations concerning the treatment and disposal of separator residues and oily bilge water, have to be entered in an Oil Record Book.
Discharge regulations in Annex I
Annex II: Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk
Annex II (in force since 6 April 1987) deals with bulk transports of noxious liquid substances, which include cargo residues of chemical tankers. Under the provisions of this Annex, discharges of such substances are prohibited in principle. Exemptions are possible depending on the classification of noxious substances in either category X, Y, or Z. All operations on board ships that involve noxious substances have to be entered in a Cargo Record Book.
Discharge regulations in Annex II
Annex III: Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances carried by Sea in Packaged Form
Annex III (in force since 1 July 1992) requires that, in order to prevent pollution of the marine environment, harmful substances in packaged form have to be transported in compliance with the provisions of this Annex. In Germany, the provisions of Annex III have been implemented in the „Gefahrgutverordnung-See“ (Ordinance on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Marine Vessels) which applies, for example, to dangerous goods transported in containers.
Annex IV: Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ship
Annex IV (in force since 27 September 2003) deals with the prevention or reduction of marine environmental pollution by ships‘ sewage. Under the provisions of this Annex, discharges of ships‘ sewage are prohibited. Vessels can be exempted if they are equipped with a sewage treatment plant or if sewage from a holding tank is discharged at a distance of more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land. The second ordinance amending environmental regulations in shipping dated 9 April 2008 (Federal Law Gazette I, p. 698) made the discharge regulations in Annex VI to MARPOL 73/78 also mandatory for German pleasure craft operating in the Baltic Sea area.
Discharge regulations in Annex IV
Annex V: Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships
Annex V entered into force on 31 December 1988. Different discharge regulations apply to the different types of ships‘ garbage. A Garbage Record Book has to be kept in which the treatment and disposal of garbage generated on board the ship has to be fully documented.
Discharge regulations in Annex V
Annex VI: Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships
Annex VI entered into force on 19 May 2005. It limits, inter alia, nitric oxides and sulphuric oxides.
Information brochure on Annex VI (pdf)
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