NAME 449

Navigation and Maritime Regulations

International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)

Prepared by-
Md. Imdadul Haque
Lecturer
Introduction
• 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.
• The MARPOL Convention was adopted on 2nd November 1973
at IMO.
• The Protocol of 1978 was adopted in response to a spate of
tanker accidents in 1976-1977.
• As the 1973 MARPOL Convention had not yet entered into
force, the 1978 MARPOL Protocol absorbed the parent
Convention.
• The combined instrument entered into force on 2nd October
1983.
• In 1997, a Protocol was adopted to amend the
Convention and a new Annex VI was added which
entered into force on 19th May 2005.
• MARPOL has been updated by amendments through the
years.
• The Convention includes regulations aimed at preventing
and minimizing pollution from ships -
accidental pollution and
that from routine operations
• Currently it includes six technical Annexes.
• Special Areas with strict controls on operational
discharges are included in most Annexes.
 Annexes of MARPOL Convention
Annex I: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution
by Oil
Annex II: Regulations for the Control of Pollution by
Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk
Annex III: Prevention of Pollution by Harmful
Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form
Annex IV: Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from
Ships
Annex V: Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from
Ships
Annex VI: Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships
Annex I: Regulations for the Prevention of
Pollution by Oil

• Entered into force on 2nd October 1983

• Covers prevention of pollution by oil from
operational measures
accidental discharges
• The 1992 amendments to Annex I
made it mandatory for new oil tankers to have
double hulls
and brought in a phase-in schedule for existing
tankers to fit double hulls
• It was subsequently revised in 2001 and 2003.
Causes of oil pollution
Effects of oil pollution
What is a special area?
Special areas as per Annex-I
Survey
Discharge criteria
Oil record book
Reception facilities

** Some parts aren’t added here. Read those

from the main convention.
 Regulations Required for Problem
• Annex I, Regulation 1(18) B
Rule Length L = 96% of L!" at 85%D
• Annex I Regulation 13: Segregated ballast tanks, dedicated clean
ballast tanks and crude oil washing; new oil tankers of 20,000 tons
deadweight and above
For Segregated ballast tank capacity required moulded draughts amidships,
dm = 2.0 + 0.02 L
• Annex I, Regulation 13F: Prevention of oil pollution
Required width of wing tanks or spaces,
w = 0.5 + DWT/20000 m
= or 2m (whichever is lesser)
• Annex I, Regulation 23 : Hypothetical outflow of oil
• Annex I, Regulation 24 : Limitation of size and arrangement of cargo
tanks
The regulation says that cargo tanks sizes should be such that the hypothetical
outflow OC or OS calculated in accordance with the provisions of Regulation
23 anywhere in the length of the ship does not exceed 30,000m3 or
400(DWT)1/3 , whichever is the greater, but subjected to a maximum of
40,000m3.
 Problem
A double skin segregated ballast crude oil tanker has the
following particulars:
LBP = 223m
LWL = 230m at 85%D
B = 32.23m
D = 20.5m
deadweight = 70000 tonnes
Draft aft in ballast condition = 7.7m
Propeller diameter DP = 6.85m
Steel mass = 11371 MT
Outfit mass = 1507 MT
Engine Plant mass = 822 MT

From hydrostatic data,

Displacement = 34,000 MT at draft 6m
Displacement = 35,800 MT at draft 7m
In addition, tanker has 6 nos. of cargo oil tank with centerline
longitudinal bulkhead dividing each tank port and starboard side.

The total length of the cargo tank = 171m

height of double bottom = 2.020m
width of wing tank space = 2.1m

I. Find the minimum SBT capacity in m3 according to MARPOL if

SBT contains salt water.
II. Estimate the available volume of ballast considering rectangular
cross-sectional wing and double bottom tank. Comment whether
the MARPOL requirements are fulfilled or not.
III. Suppose after side damage and bottom damage the corresponding
hypothetical flows have been found 10160m3 and
500m3 respectively. Is the limiting size and arrangement of cargo
tank ok? Justify.
Regulation 34
Control of discharge of oil

A. Discharges outside special areas

1. Subject to the provisions of this Annex, any discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixtures from
the cargo area of an oil tanker shall be prohibited except when all the following conditions are
satisfied:
a. the tanker is not within a special area;
b. the tanker is more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land;
c. the tanker is proceeding en route;
d. the instantaneous rate of discharge of oil content does not exceed 30 litres per nautical
mile;
e. the total quantity of oil discharged into the sea does not exceed for tankers delivered on
or before 31 December 1979, 1/15,000 of the total quantity of the particular cargo of which
the residue formed a part, and for tankers delivered after 31 December 1979, 1/30,000 of the
total quantity of the particular cargo of which the residue formed a part; and
f. the tanker has in operation an oil discharge monitoring and control system and a slop
tank arrangement
2. The provisions of paragraph 1 of this regulation shall not apply to the discharge of clean or
segregated ballast.
B. Discharges in special areas

3. Any discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixture from the cargo area of an oil tanker shall be
prohibited while in a special area.

4. The provisions of paragraph 3 of this regulation shall not apply to the discharge of clean or
segregated ballast.

5. Nothing in this regulation shall prohibit a ship on a voyage only part of which is in a special area
from discharging outside the special area in accordance with paragraph 1 of this regulation.

D. General requirements

7. Whenever visible traces of oil are observed on or below the surface of the water in the immediate
vicinity of a ship or its wake, the Governments of Parties to the present Convention should, to the
extent they are reasonably able to do so, promptly investigate the facts bearing on the issue of whether
there has been a violation of the provisions of this regulation. The investigation should include, in
particular, the wind and sea conditions, the track and speed of the ship, other possible sources of the
visible traces in the vicinity, and any relevant oil discharge records.

8. No discharge into the sea shall contain chemicals or other substances in quantities or
concentrations which are hazardous to the marine environment.

9. The oil residues which cannot be discharged into the sea in compliance with paragraphs 1 and 3 of
this regulation shall be retained on board for subsequent discharge to reception facilities.
Regulation 17
Oil Record Book, Part I (Machinery space operations)

1. Every oil tanker of 150 gross tonnage and above and every ship of 400
gross tonnage and above other than an oil tanker shall be provided
with an Oil Record Book Part I (Machinery space operations). The Oil
Record Book, whether as a part of the ship’s official log-book or
otherwise, shall be in the form specified in appendix III to this Annex.

2. The Oil Record Book Part I shall be completed on each occasion, on a tank-
to-tank basis if appropriate, whenever any of the following machinery space
operations takes place in the ship:
a) ballasting or cleaning of oil fuel tanks;
b) discharge of dirty ballast or cleaning water from oil fuel tanks;
c) collection and disposal of oil residues (sludge and other oil residues);
d) discharge overboard or disposal otherwise of bilge water which has
accumulated in machinery spaces; and
e) bunkering of fuel or bulk lubricating oil.
Regulation 36
Oil Record Book, Part II - Cargo/ballast operations

1. Every oil tanker of 150 gross tonnage and above shall be provided with an Oil
Record Book Part II (Cargo/Ballast Operations). The Oil Record Book Part II, whether
as a part of the ship's official log-book or otherwise, shall be in the form specified in
appendix III to this Annex.

2. The Oil Record Book Part II shall be completed on each occasion, on a tank-to-tank
basis if appropriate, whenever any of the following cargo/ ballast operations take
place in the ship:
a) loading of oil cargo;
b) internal transfer of oil cargo during voyage;
c) unloading of oil cargo;
d) ballasting of cargo tanks and dedicated clean ballast tanks;
e) cleaning of cargo tanks including crude oil washing;
f) discharge of ballast except from segregated ballast tanks;
g) discharge of water from slop tanks;
h) closing of all applicable valves or similar devices after slop tank discharge
operations;
i) closing of valves necessary for isolation of dedicated clean ballast tanks from
cargo and stripping lines after slop tank discharge operations; and
j) disposal of residues.
Regulation 38
Reception facilities

A. Reception facilities outside special areas

1. The Government of each Party to the present Convention undertakes to ensure the
provision at oil loading terminals, repair ports, and in other ports in which ships have
oily residues to discharge, of facilities for the reception of such residues and oily mixtures
as remain from oil tankers and other ships adequate to meet the needs of the ships using them
without causing undue delay to ships.

2. Reception facilities in accordance with paragraph 1 of this regulation shall be provided in:

a) all ports and terminals in which crude oil is loaded into oil tankers where such tankers
have immediately prior to arrival completed a ballast voyage of not more than 72 hours
or not more than 1200 nautical miles;
b) all ports and terminals in which oil other than crude oil in bulk is loaded at an average
quantity of more than 1000 tonnes per day;
c) all ports having ship repair yards or tank cleaning facilities;
d) all ports and terminals which handle ships provided with the sludge tank(s);
e) all ports in respect of oily bilge waters and other residues which cannot be discharged;
and
f) all loading ports for bulk cargoes in respect of oil residues from combination carriers
which cannot be discharged.
Annex II: Regulations for the Control of Pollution by
Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk

• Entered into force 2nd October 1983

• Details the discharge criteria and measures for the control of
pollution by noxious liquid substances carried in bulk
• Some 250 substances were evaluated and included in the list
appended to the Convention
• The discharge of their residues is allowed only to reception
facilities until certain concentrations and conditions (which
vary with the category of substances) are complied with.
• In any case, no discharge of residues containing noxious
substances is permitted within 12 miles of the nearest land.
Regulation 6
Categorization and listing of noxious liquid substances and other substances

• For the purpose of the regulations of this Annex, noxious liquid substances
shall be divided into four categories as follows:

1. Category X: Noxious liquid substances which, if discharged into the sea

from tank cleaning or de-ballasting operations, are deemed to present a
major hazard to either marine resources or human health and, therefore,
justify the prohibition of the discharge into the marine environment;

2. Category Y: Noxious liquid substances which, if discharged into the sea

from tank cleaning or de-ballasting operations, are deemed to present a
hazard to either marine resources or human health or cause harm to
amenities or other legitimate uses of the sea and therefore justify a
limitation on the quality and quantity of the discharge into the marine
environment;
3. Category Z: Noxious liquid substances which, if discharged into the
sea from tank cleaning or de-ballasting operations, are deemed to
present a minor hazard to either marine resources or human health
and therefore justify less stringent restrictions on the quality and
quantity of the discharge into the marine environment;

4. Other substances: Substances indicated as OS (Other substances) in

the pollution category column of chapter 18 of the International Bulk
Chemical Code which have been evaluated and found to fall outside
category X, Y or Z, considered to present no harm to marine
resources, human health, amenities or other legitimate uses of the
sea when discharged into the sea from tank cleaning or de-ballasting
operations. The discharge of bilge or ballast water or other residues or
mixtures containing only substances referred to as ‘‘Other Substances’’
shall not be subject to any requirements of the Annex.

**Noxious liquid substances are listed at chapter 17 of IBC code.

Regulation 8
Surveys

• Ships carrying noxious liquid substances in bulk shall be subject to the surveys
specified below:

1. An initial survey before the ship is put in service, and which shall include a
complete survey of its structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and
material in so far as the ship is covered by this Annex. This survey shall be such as to
ensure that the structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and material fully
comply with the applicable requirements of this Annex.

2. A renewal survey at intervals specified by the Administration, but not exceeding 5

years. The renewal survey shall be such as to ensure that the structure, equipment,
systems, fittings, arrangements and material fully comply with applicable requirements
of this Annex.

3. An intermediate survey within 3 months before or after the second anniversary

date or within 3 months before or after the third anniversary date of the Certificate
which shall take the place of one of the annual surveys.
The intermediate survey shall be such as to ensure that the equipment
and associated pump and piping systems fully comply with the
applicable requirements of this Annex and are in good working order.

4. An annual survey within 3 months before or after each anniversary

date of the Certificate including a general inspection of the structure,
equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and material to ensure that
they have been maintained in accordance with this regulation and that
they remain satisfactory for the service for which the ship is intended.

5. An additional survey either general or partial, according to the

circumstances, shall be made after a repair resulting from investigations
prescribed of this regulation, or whenever any important repairs or
renewals are made. The survey shall be such as to ensure that the
necessary repairs or renewals have been effectively made, that the
material and workmanship of such repairs or renewals are in all
respects satisfactory and that the ship complies in all respects with the
requirements of this Annex.
Regulation 12
Pumping, piping, unloading arrangements and slop tanks

1. Every ship constructed before 1 July 1986 shall be provided with a

pumping and piping arrangement to ensure that each tank certified for the
carriage of substances in category X or Y does not retain a quantity of
residue in excess of 300 litres in the tank and its associated piping and that
each tank certified for the carriage of substances in category Z does not retain
a quantity of residue in excess of 900 litres in the tank and its associated
piping. A performance test shall be carried out in accordance with appendix 5
of this Annex.

2. Every ship constructed on or after 1 July 1986 but before 1 January

2007 shall be provided with a pumping and piping arrangement to ensure that
each tank certified for the carriage of substances in category X or Y does not
retain a quantity of residue in excess of 100 litres in the tank and its
associated piping and that each tank certified for the carriage of substances in
category Z does not retain a quantity of residue in excess of 300 litres in
the tank and its associated piping. A performance test shall be carried out in
accordance with appendix 5 of this Annex.
3. Every ship constructed on or after 1 January 2007 shall be provided with
a pumping and piping arrangement to ensure that each tank certified for the
carriage of substances in category X, Y or Z does not retain a quantity of
residue in excess of 75 litres in the tank and its associated piping. A
performance test shall be carried out in accordance with appendix 5 of this
Annex.

4. For a ship other than a chemical tanker constructed before 1 January

2007 which cannot meet the requirements for the pumping and piping
arrangements for substances in category Z referred to in paragraphs 1 and
2 of this regulation no quantity requirement shall apply. Compliance is
deemed to be reached if the tank is emptied to the most practicable extent.

5. Pumping performance tests referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this

regulation shall be approved by the Administration. Pumping performance
tests shall use water as the test medium.

6. Ships certified to carry substances of category X, Y or Z shall have an

underwater discharge outlet (or outlets).
7. For ships constructed before 1 January 2007 and certified to carry substances in category Z an
underwater discharge outlet as required under paragraph 6 of this regulation is not mandatory.

8. The underwater discharge outlet (or outlets) shall be located within the cargo area in the vicinity
of the turn of the bilge and shall be so arranged as to avoid the re-intake of residue/water mixtures
by the ship’s seawater intakes.

9. The underwater discharge outlet arrangement shall be such that the residue/water mixture
discharged into the sea will not pass through the ship’s boundary layer. To this end, when the
discharge is made normal to the ship’s shell plating, the minimum diameter of the discharge outlet
is governed by the following equation:

10. When the discharge is directed at an angle to the ship’s shell plating, the above relationship shall
be modified by substituting for Qd the component of Qd which is normal to the ship’s shell plating.
Regulation 13
Control of discharges of residues of noxious liquid substances

• Discharge standards

Where the provisions in this regulation allow the discharge into the sea of residues of substances in
category X, Y or Z or of those provisionally assessed as such or ballast water, tank washings or other
mixtures containing such substances, the following discharge standards shall apply:

1. the ship is proceeding en route at a speed of at least 7 knots in the case of self-propelled ships or
at least 4 knots in the case of ships which are not self-propelled;

2. the discharge is made below the waterline through the underwater discharge outlet(s) not
exceeding the maximum rate for which the underwater discharge outlet(s) is (are) designed; and

3. the discharge is made at a distance of not less than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land in a
depth of water of not less than 25 metres.

**For ships constructed before 1 January 2007 the discharge into the sea of residues of substances in
category Z or of those provisionally assessed as such or ballast water, tank washings or other mixtures
containing such substances below the waterline is not mandatory.
Regulation 17
Shipboard marine pollution emergency plan for noxious liquid substances

• Every ship of 150 gross tonnage and above certified to carry noxious liquid
substances in bulk shall carry on board a shipboard marine pollution
emergency plan for noxious liquid substances approved by the Administration.
• The plan shall consist at least of:

1. the procedure to be followed by the master or other persons having charge of the
ship to report a noxious liquid substances pollution incident

2. the list of authorities or persons to be contacted in the event of a noxious liquid

substances pollution incident;

3. a detailed description of the action to be taken immediately by persons on board

to reduce or control the discharge of noxious liquid substances following the incident;

4. the procedures and point of contact on the ship for coordinating shipboard
action with national and local authorities in combating the pollution.
Regulation 18
Reception facilities and cargo unloading terminal arrangements

• The Government of each Party to the Convention undertakes to ensure

the provision of reception facilities according to the needs of ships using
its ports, terminals or repair ports as follows:

1. ports and terminals involved in ships’ cargo handling shall have adequate
facilities for the reception of residues and mixtures containing such residues of
noxious liquid substances resulting from compliance with this Annex, without
undue delay for the ships involved.

2. ship repair ports undertaking repairs to NLS tankers shall provide facilities
adequate for the reception of residues and mixtures containing noxious liquid
substances for ships calling at that port.
Annex III: Prevention of Pollution by Harmful
Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form

• Entered into force on 1st July 1992

• Contains general requirements for the issuing of detailed standards on
 Packing
 Marking
 Labelling
 Documentation
 Stowage
 Quantity limitations
 Exceptions and notifications.
• For the purpose of this Annex, “harmful substances” are those substances
which are identified as marine pollutants in the International Maritime
Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) or which meet the criteria in the
Appendix of Annex III.
Appendix to Annex III
Guidelines for the identification of harmful substances in packaged form

For the purposes of this Annex, substances identified by any one of the
following criteria are harmful substances:

• bioaccumulated to a significant extent and known to produce a hazard to

aquatic life or to human health; or
• bioaccumulated with attendant risk to aquatic organisms or to human health
with a short retention of the order of one week or less; or
• highly toxic to aquatic life, defined by a LC50/96 hour†; less than 1 ppm.

Regulation 2
Packing

Packages shall be adequate to minimize the hazard to the marine environment,

having regard to their specific contents.
Regulation 3
Marking and labelling

(1) Packages containing a harmful substance shall be durably marked with

the correct technical name (trade names alone shall not be used) and, further,
shall be durably marked or labelled to indicate that the substance is a
marine pollutant. Such identification shall be supplemented where possible
by any other means, for example, by use of the relevant United Nations
number.

(2) The method of marking the correct technical name and of affixing labels on
packages containing a harmful substance shall be such that this information
will still be identifiable on packages surviving at least three months'
immersion in the sea. In considering suitable marking and labelling, account
shall be taken of the durability of the materials used and of the surface of
the package.

(3) Packages containing small quantities of harmful substances may be

exempted from the marking requirements.
 Marine Pollutant Mark

The marking must be in the form of a square set at an angle of

45° (diamond shaped). The symbol (fish and tree) shall be black on
white or suitable contrasting background. The minimum dimensions
must be 100 mm x 100 mm and the minimum width of line forming the
diamond shall be 2mm. If the size of the package so requires, the
dimensions/line thickness may be reduced, provided the marking
remains clearly visible.
Annex IV: Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships

• Entered into force on 27th September 2003.

• Contains requirements to control pollution of the sea by sewage.
• The discharge of sewage into the sea is prohibited, except when the
ship has in operation an approved sewage treatment plant or when
the ship is discharging comminuted and disinfected sewage using an
approved system at a distance of more than three nautical miles
from the nearest land
• Sewage which is not comminuted or disinfected has to be
discharged at a distance of more than 12 nautical miles from the
nearest land.
• In July 2011, IMO adopted the most recent amendments to
MARPOL Annex IV which are expected to enter into force on
1st January 2013.
• The amendments introduce the Baltic Sea as a special area under
Annex IV and add new discharge requirements for passenger ships
while in a special area.
Regulation 2
Application

The provisions of this Annex shall apply to the following ships engaged
in international voyages:

1. new ships of 400 gross tonnage and above; and

2. new ships of less than 400 gross tonnage which are certified to carry
more than 15 persons; and

3. existing ships of 400 gross tonnage and above, five years after the
date of entry into force of this Annex; and

4. existing ships of less than 400 gross tonnage which are certified to
carry more than 15 persons, five years after the date of entry into force
of this Annex.
Regulation 4
Surveys

Every ship which is required to comply with the provisions of this Annex shall be
subject to the surveys specified below:

1. An initial survey before the ship is put in service which shall include a complete
survey of its structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and material in so far
as the ship is covered by this Annex. This survey shall be such as to ensure that the
structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and materials fully comply with
the applicable requirements of this Annex.
2. A renewal survey at intervals specified by the Administration, but not exceeding
five years. The renewal survey shall be such as to ensure that the structure, equipment,
systems, fittings, arrangements and materials fully comply with applicable
requirements of this Annex.
3. An additional survey, either general or partial, according to the circumstances, shall
be made after a repair resulting from investigations prescribed, or whenever any
important repairs or renewals are made. The survey shall be such as to ensure that the
necessary repairs or renewals have been effectively made, that the material and
workmanship of such repairs or renewals are in all respects satisfactory and that the
ship complies in all respects with the requirements of this Annex.
Regulation 9
Sewage systems

Every ship which is required to comply with the provisions of this Annex shall
be equipped with one of the following sewage systems:

1. a sewage treatment plant which shall be of a type approved by the

Administration, taking into account the standards and test methods developed
by the Organization,* or
2. a sewage comminuting and disinfecting system approved by the
Administration. Such system shall be fitted with facilities to the satisfaction
of the Administration, for the temporary storage of sewage when the ship is
less than 3 nautical miles from the nearest land, or
3. a holding tank of the capacity to the satisfaction of the Administration for
the retention of all sewage, having regard to the operation of the ship, the
number of persons on board and other relevant factors. The holding tank
shall be constructed to the satisfaction of the Administration and shall have a
means to indicate visually the amount of its contents.
Regulation 11
Discharge of sewage

The discharge of sewage into the sea is prohibited, except when:

1. the ship is discharging comminuted and disinfected sewage using a system approved by
the Administration in accordance with regulation of this Annex at a distance of more than 3
nautical miles from the nearest land, or sewage which is not comminuted or disinfected
at a distance of more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land, provided that, in any
case, the sewage that has been stored in holding tanks shall not be discharged
instantaneously but at a moderate rate when the ship is en route and proceeding at not
less than 4 knots; the rate of discharge shall be approved by the Administration based upon
standards developed by the Organization; or

2. the ship has in operation an approved sewage treatment plant which has been certified
by the Administration to meet the operational requirements referred to in regulation 9.1.1 of
this Annex, and
a) the test results of the plant are laid down in the ship's International Sewage
Pollution Prevention Certificate; and
b) additionally, the effluent shall not produce visible floating solids nor cause
discoloration of the surrounding water.
Annex V: Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from
Ships

• Entered into force on 31st December 1988.

• Deals with different types of garbage and specifies the distances
from land and the manner in which they may be disposed of.
• The most important feature of the Annex is the complete ban
imposed on the disposal into the sea of all forms of plastics.
• In July 2011, IMO adopted extensive amendments to Annex V
which are expected to enter into force on 1st January 2013.
• The revised Annex V prohibits the discharge of all garbage into the
sea, except as provided otherwise, under specific circumstances.
**Garbage means all kinds of victual, domestic and operational waste excluding
fresh fish and parts thereof, generated during the normal operation of the ship
and liable to be disposed of continuously or periodically except those substances
which are defined or listed in other Annexes to the present Convention.

Regulation 2
Application

Unless expressly provided otherwise, the provisions of this Annex shall apply to
all ships.

Regulation 3
Disposal of garbage outside special areas

(a) the disposal into the sea of all plastics, including but not limited to synthetic
ropes, synthetic fishing nets, plastic garbage bags and incinerator ashes from
plastic products which may contain toxic or heavy metal residues, is prohibited;
(b) the disposal into the sea of the following garbage shall be made as far as
practicable from the nearest land but in any case is prohibited if the distance
from the nearest land is less than:
(i) 25 nautical miles for dunnage, lining and packing materials which
will float;
(ii) 12 nautical miles for food wastes and all other garbage including
paper products, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery and similar refuse;

(c) disposal into the sea of garbage specified in subparagraph(b)(ii) of this

regulation may be permitted when it has passed through a comminuter or
grinder and made as far as practicable from the nearest land but in any case is
prohibited if the distance from the nearest land is less than 3 nautical miles.
Such comminuted or ground garbage shall be capable of passing through a
screen with openings no greater than 25 mm.

**When the garbage is mixed with other discharges having different disposal
or discharge requirements the more stringent requirements shall apply.
Regulation 6
Exceptions

Regulations 3, 4 and 5 of this Annex shall not apply to:

(a) the disposal of garbage from a ship necessary for the purpose of
securing the safety of a ship and those on board or saving life at sea; or

(b) the escape of garbage resulting from damage to a ship or its

equipment provided all reasonable precautions have been taken before
and after the occurrence of the damage, for the purpose of preventing or
minimizing the escape; or

(c) the accidental loss of synthetic fishing nets, provided that all
reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent such loss.
Annex VI: Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships

• Entered into force on 19th May 2005.

• Sets limits on sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide
emissions from ship exhausts and prohibits deliberate
emissions of ozone depleting substances; designated
emission control areas set more stringent standards for
SOx, NOx and particulate matter.
• In 2011, after extensive work and debate, IMO adopted
ground breaking mandatory technical and operational
energy efficiency measures which will significantly
reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from
ships; these measures were included in Annex VI and
are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2013.
Regulation 1
Application

The provisions of this Annex shall apply to all ships, except where expressly
provided otherwise in regulations 3, 5, 6, 13, 15, 18 and 19 of this Annex.

Regulation 3
General exceptions

Regulations of this Annex shall not apply to:

(a) any emission necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of a ship or
saving life at sea; or
(b) any emission resulting from damage to a ship or its equipment:
(i) provided that all reasonable precautions have been taken after
the occurrence of the damage or discovery of the emission for the purpose of
preventing or minimizing the emission; and
(ii) except if the owner or the master acted either with intent to cause
damage, or recklessly and with knowledge that damage would probably result.
Regulation 5
Surveys

1. Every ship of 400 gross tonnage and above and every fixed and floating
drilling rig and other platforms shall be subject to the surveys specified below:

(a) An initial survey before the ship is put into service. This survey shall be
such as to ensure that the equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and
material fully comply with the applicable requirements of this Annex;

(b) A renewal survey at intervals specified by the Administration, but not

exceeding five years. The renewal survey shall be such as to ensure that the
equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and material fully comply with
applicable requirements of this Annex;

(c) An intermediate survey within three months before or after the second
anniversary date or within three months before or after the third anniversary
date of the certificate which shall take the place of one of the annual surveys
specified in paragraph (1)(d) of this regulation.
The intermediate survey shall be such as to ensure that the equipment and
arrangements fully comply with the applicable requirements of this Annex
and are in good working order;

(d) An annual survey within three months before or after each anniversary
date of the certificate, including a general inspection of the equipment,
systems, fittings, arrangements and material; and

(e) An additional survey either general or partial, according to the

circumstances, shall be made after a repair resulting from investigations
prescribed, or whenever any important repairs or renewals are made. The
survey shall be such as to ensure that the necessary repairs or renewals have
been effectively made, that the material and workmanship of such repairs or
renewals are in all respects satisfactory and that the ship complies in all
respects with the requirements of this Annex.
Regulation 12
Ozone-depleting substances

(1) Subject to the provisions of regulation 3, any deliberate emissions of

ozone-depleting substances shall be prohibited. Deliberate emissions
include emissions occurring in the course of maintaining, servicing,
repairing or disposing of systems or equipment, except that deliberate
emissions do not include minimal releases associated with the recapture or
recycling of an ozone-depleting substance. Emissions arising from leaks of
an ozone-depleting substance, whether or not the leaks are deliberate, may be
regulated by Parties to the Protocol of 1997.

(2) New installations which contain ozone-depleting substances shall be

prohibited on all ships, except that new installations containing
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are permitted until 1 January 2020.

(3) The substances referred to in this regulation, and equipment containing

such substances, shall be delivered to appropriate reception facilities when
removed from ships.
Regulation 13
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

(1) (a) This regulation shall apply to:

(i) each diesel engine with a power output of more than 130 kW which is installed on a
ship constructed on or after 1 January 2000; and
(ii) each diesel engine with a power output of more than 130 kW which undergoes a
major conversion on or after 1 January 2000.
(b) This regulation does not apply to:
(i) emergency diesel engines, engines installed in lifeboats and any device or equipment
intended to be used solely in case of emergency; and
(ii) engines installed on ships solely engaged in voyages within waters subject to the
sovereignty or jurisdiction of the State the flag of which the ship is entitled to fly,
provided that such engines are subject to an alternative NOx control measure
established by the Administration.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph, the
Administration may allow exclusion from the application of this regulation to any diesel
engine which is installed on a ship constructed, or on a ship which undergoes a major
conversion, before the date of entry into force of the present Protocol, provided that the
ship is solely engaged in voyages to ports or offshore terminals within the State the flag of
which the ship is entitled to fly.
(2) (a) For the purpose of this regulation, major conversion means a modification
of an engine where:
(i) the engine is replaced by a new engine built on or after 1 January 2000, or
(ii) any substantial modification, as defined in the NOx Technical Code, is
made to the engine, or
(iii) the maximum continuous rating of the engine is increased by more than
10%.
(b) The NOx emission resulting from modifications referred to in the sub-
paragraph (a) of this paragraph shall be documented in accordance with the NOx
Technical Code for approval by the Administration.

(3) (a) Subject to the provision of regulation 3 of this Annex, the operation of each
diesel engine to which this regulation applies is prohibited, except when the
emission of nitrogen oxides (calculated as the total weighted emission of NO2)
from the engine is within the following limits:
(i) 17.0 g/kW·h when n is less than 130 rpm
(ii) 45.0 x n-0.2 g/kW·h when n is 130 or more but less than 2000 rpm
(iii) 9.8 g/kW·h when n is 2000 rpm or more
where n = rated engine speed (crankshaft revolutions per minute).
When using fuel composed of blends from hydrocarbons derived from
petroleum refining, test procedure and measurement methods shall be in
accordance with the NOx Technical Code, taking into consideration the test
cycles and weighting factors outlined in appendix II to this Annex.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph, the

operation of a diesel engine is permitted when:
(i) an exhaust gas cleaning system, approved by the Administration in
accordance with the NOx Technical Code, is applied to the engine to
reduce onboard NOx emissions at least to the limits specified in sub-
paragraph (a), or
(ii) any other equivalent method, approved by the Administration taking
into account relevant guidelines to be developed by the Organization, is
applied to reduce onboard NOx emissions at least to the limit specified in
sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph.
 IMO NOx emission standards
The NOx emissions limits in the IMO standards are expressed as dependent on
engine speed. The IMO Tier 1 NOx emission standard applies to ships built
from year 2000 until end of year 2010.

The IMO Tier 2 NOx emission standard entered into force on 1st January
2011 and applies globally for new marine diesel engines over 130 kW installed
on ships which keel laying date is 1st January 2011 or later. IMO Tier 2 NOx
emission levels correspond to about 20% reduction from the IMO Tier 1
NOx emission standard. This reduction is reached with engine optimization.

The IMO Tier 3 NOx emission standard will enter into force on 1st January
2016. The IMO Tier 3 NOx standard applies only for new marine diesel
engines over 130 kW installed in ships which keel laying date is 1st January
2016 or later, when operating inside designated emission control areas (ECA).
The IMO Tier 3 NOx emission level corresponds to an 80% reduction from
the IMO Tier 1 NOx emission standard. The reduction can be reached by
applying a secondary exhaust gas emission control system.
Regulation 14
Sulphur oxides (SOx)

General requirements

(1) The sulphur content of any fuel oil used on board ships shall not exceed 4.5% m/m.
(2) The world-wide average sulphur content of residual fuel oil supplied for use on board
ships shall be monitored taking into account guidelines to be developed by the
Organization.*

Requirements within SOx emission control areas

(3) For the purpose of this regulation, SOx emission control areas shall include:
(a) the Baltic Sea area as defined in regulation 10(1)(b) of Annex I, the North Sea
area as defined in regulation 5(1)(f) of Annex V; and
(b) any other sea area, including port areas, designated by the Organization in
accordance with criteria and procedures for designation of SOx emission control areas
with respect to the prevention of air pollution from ships contained in appendix III to
this Annex.
(4) While ships are within SOx emission control areas, at least one of the following
conditions shall be fulfilled:

(a) the sulphur content of fuel oil used on board ships in a SOx emission control
area does not exceed 1.5% m/m;
(b) an exhaust gas cleaning system, approved by the Administration taking into
account guidelines to be developed by the Organization,† is applied to reduce the
total emission of sulphur oxides from ships, including both auxiliary and main
propulsion engines, to 6.0 g SOx/kW·h or less calculated as the total weight of
sulphur dioxide emission. Waste streams from the use of such equipment shall not
be discharged into enclosed ports, harbours and estuaries unless it can be
thoroughly documented by the ship that such waste streams have no adverse
impact on the ecosystems of such enclosed ports, harbours and estuaries, based
upon criteria communicated by the authorities of the port State to the Organization.
The Organization shall circulate the criteria to all Parties to the Convention; or
(c) any other technological method that is verifiable and enforceable to limit SOx
emissions to a level equivalent to that described in sub-paragraph (b) is applied.
These methods shall be approved by the Administration taking into account
guidelines to be developed by the Organization.
 SOX emissions
SOX as a product of fuel oil combustion can be reduced by decreasing

the sulphur content in the fuel. In October 2008 the Marine

Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the IMO agreed on the

progressive reduction of the maximum sulphur content in fuels used on

board ships. The revised Marpol Annex VI regulations reduce the

global sulphur cap to 0.5%, effective from 1st January 2020. The limit

applicable in SOX Emission Control Areas (SECA) has been reduced to

0.1%, effective from 1st January 2015.

 Links
• International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships, 1973
(marpoltraining.com)