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

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is one of the most significant international treaties aimed at preventing pollution of the marine environment by ships. Adopted on November 2, 1973, and entered into force on October 2, 1983, MARPOL is administered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for maritime safety and environmental protection.

Objectives

The primary objectives of MARPOL are:

1. Preventing Marine Pollution: MARPOL seeks to minimize and prevent pollution of the marine environment, including pollution from oil, noxious liquid substances, harmful substances in packaged form, sewage, garbage, and air pollutants emitted from ships.
2. Establishing Standards and Regulations: The convention sets international standards and regulations for ship design, equipment, and operations to reduce the impact of maritime activities on the marine environment.
3. Promoting Cooperation: MARPOL promotes international cooperation among maritime nations to address the global nature of marine pollution and ensure uniformity in pollution prevention measures.

Main Annexes of MARPOL

MARPOL is structured into annexes, each addressing specific types of ship-generated pollution:

1. Annex I – Oil Pollution: This annex regulates the prevention of pollution from oil spills. It sets limits on the discharge of oil and oily mixtures from ships, mandates the use of oil filtering equipment, and requires oil record books to be maintained.
2. Annex II – Noxious Liquid Substances: This annex deals with the control of pollution from noxious liquid substances carried in bulk. It classifies such substances into categories, prescribes maximum allowable discharges, and requires special tanks and procedures for handling these substances.
3. Annex III – Harmful Substances in Packaged Form: This annex addresses pollution from harmful substances carried in packaged form, such as chemicals and other hazardous materials. It sets packaging and labeling requirements to prevent accidental spills during loading, unloading, and transportation.
4. Annex IV – Sewage Pollution: Annex IV regulates the discharge of sewage from ships, establishing standards for treatment systems and discharge criteria to minimize the impact of ship-generated sewage on marine ecosystems.
5. Annex V – Garbage Pollution: This annex deals with the prevention of pollution from garbage, including plastics and other waste materials. It prohibits the disposal of certain types of garbage at sea and establishes requirements for onboard waste management and disposal facilities.
6. Annex VI – Air Pollution: Annex VI addresses air pollution from ships by setting limits on emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) and prohibiting deliberate emissions of ozone-depleting substances.

Enforcement and Compliance

MARPOL’s enforcement relies on flag state control, port state control, and cooperation among maritime nations. Flag states are responsible for ensuring that ships under their flags comply with MARPOL regulations. Port states have the authority to inspect foreign-flagged ships entering their ports to verify compliance with the convention.