IMO Circular MEPC.1/Circ.791
IMO has issued Circular MEPC.1/ Circ. 791 on the Implementation of MARPOL ANNEX V as follows:
Provisional classification of solid bulk cargoes under the revised MARPOL Annex V between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014
The Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its sixty-fourth session (1 to 5 October 2012), having considered the challenges associated with the classification of solid bulk cargoes and discharge of associated cargo residues in accordance with the requirements of the revised MARPOL Annex V which will enter into force on 1 January 2013; having taken into account paragraph 3.2 of the 2012 Guidelines for the implementation of MARPOL Annex V (2012 Guidelines); and further recognizing that a transitional period for the implementation of this aspect of MARPOL Annex V would greatly facilitate maritime trade of solid bulk cargoes with minimal additional risk to the marine environment, decided that (MEPC 64/23, paragraphs 7.29 to 7.31):
1 for the purposes of complying with regulations 4.1.3 and 6.1.2 of the revised MARPOL Annex V, shippers of solid bulk cargoes should classify those cargoes using the seven criteria in paragraph 3.2 of the 2012 Guidelines for the implementation of MARPOL Annex V. Shippers should notify the competent authorities of the port State of loading and unloading of the basis for the provisional classification. As stated in paragraph 3.4 of the 2012 Guidelines, solid bulk cargoes should be classified and declared by the shipper as to whether or not they are harmful to the marine environment. Such declaration as to whether or not the cargo is harmful to the marine environment should be included in the information required in section 4.2 of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code;
2 between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014, if adequate and reliable data on a solid bulk cargoes carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, or specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure are not available, shippers of solid bulk cargoes should still make every effort to ensure that their solid bulk cargoes are classified to the extent possible using the seven criteria in paragraph 3.2 of the 2012 Guidelines;
For more information, click IMO MEPC.1/ Circ.791
Source: IMO
