International convention prevention of pollution from ships MARPOL


International convention for prevention of pollution from ships ( MARPOL) is a convention introduced by the IMO( International maritime organization) to reduce the pollution to marine environment from ships due to operational or accidental causes. It was formed on November 2 nd 1973 and modified by the protocol of 1978. At the time of the 1978 protocol the convention had not entered to force . As a result the convention and the protocol combined .Hence it is called MARPOL 73/78. MARPOL 73/78 entered to force on October 2nd 1983. MARPOL has 6 annexes ,each of annex categorized with respect to the source of the pollution. It discusses about the discharge criteria , certification and survey in interest of reducing the marine pollution from ships.
 Six annexes are MARPOL are

   . Annex 1 : Regulations for prevention of pollution by oil and oily water.

This Annex is to prevent the pollution to the marine environment by oil and oily water. This Annex entered into force on October 2nd 1983. Annex 1 made it mandatory for the new oil tankers to be double hull and the existing tankers to comply with it in a phased manner. According to this Annex an international oil pollution prevention certificate ( IOPP) is required by the oil tankers of more than 150 GRT. This Annex also contains the discharge criteria of oil to the sea and the special areas where the discharge is restricted. Equipments required to discharge are also discussed.

   . Annex 2 : Regulations for prevention of pollution by Noxious liquid substances in bulk .

Noxious liquid substances are chemical substances and these are categorized to four categories which are category X,Y,Z and other substances. Annex 2 entered to force on October 2nd 1983. It contains the discharge criteria of the noxious liquid substances according to the type of noxious liquid substance. A list 250 substances are made which  are not allowed to discharge to sea. They should only be discharged to shore reception facilities.

   . Annex 3 : Regulations for control of pollution by harmful substances carried through sea in packaged form .

This Annex was entered to force on July 1 1992. Harmful Substances are substances which can be a marine pollutant according to the IMDG Code ( International Maritime dangerous goods code). This Annex discusses about the packing , documentation , marking , stowage, limit of quantity of carriage etc .

  . Annex 4 : Regulations for prevention of pollution by sewage from ships .

Sewage is mainly the drainage from latrines and toilets. It entered into force on 27 September 2003.According to this Annex every ship should have a sewage treatment plant or a comminuting system to disinfect the sewage. Sewage which is not disinfected shall be only discharged 12 miles away from nearest land. Annex 4 discusses about the discharge criteria and the special areas associated with the Annex.

   . Annex 5 : Regulations for prevention of pollution by garbage from ships.

Annex 5 entered into force on 31 December 1988. This Annex deals the various types of garbage and the way each type of garbage is treated. Most important thing about this Annex is that , this Annex completely prohibits the discharge of plastics into the sea . According to this Annex very ship is required to a Garbage management plan and a Garbage record book.

    . Annex 6 : Regulations for prevention air pollution from ships.

This Annex entered to force 19 May 2005. This Annex is to reduce the air pollution from ships . Air pollution from ships occurs due to discharge of sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides through the exhaust. This Annex discusses about the measures to be taken to reduce the discharge of these gases to the atmosphere. An international air pollution prevention certificate is required by ships according to this Annex.