MARPOL Amendments
From August 1st, 2013, MARPOL Amendments to Annexes I,II,IV and V will enter into force.
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 2 November 1973 at IMO.
According to relevant IMO Circular (MEPC 63/23/Add.1) , MARPOL Annexes include the following amendments:
Amendments to Annex I ( Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil)
New paragraphs 3bis and 4bis are added to regulation 38 of Annex I:
3bis Small Island Developing States may satisfy the requirements inparagraphs 1 to 3 of this regulation through regional arrangements when, becauseof those States’ unique circumstances, such arrangements are the only practicalmeans to satisfy these requirements. Parties participating in a regional arrangementshall develop a Regional Reception Facilities Plan, taking into account theguidelines developed by the Organization.
The Government of each Party participating in the arrangement shall consult withthe Organization, for circulation to the Parties of the present Convention:.
- how the Regional Reception Facilities Plan takes into account theGuidelines;
- particulars of the identified Regional Ships Waste Reception Centres; and
- particulars of those ports with only limited facilities.
4bis Small Island Developing States may satisfy the requirements in paragraph 4of this regulation through regional arrangements when, because of those States’unique circumstances, such arrangements are the only practical means to satisfythese requirements. Parties participating in a regional arrangement shall developa Regional Reception Facilities Plan, taking into account the guidelines developed bythe Organization.
The Government of each Party participating in the arrangement shall consult withthe Organization for circulation to the Parties of the present Convention:
- how the Regional Reception Facilities Plan takes into account the Guidelines;
- particulars of the identified Regional Ships Waste Reception Centres; and
- particulars of those ports with only limited facilities.
Amendments to Annex II ( Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk )
New paragraphs 3bis and 4bis are added to regulation 18 of Annex II:
2bis Small Island Developing States may satisfy the requirements inparagraphs 1, 2 and 4 of this regulation through regional arrangements when,because of those States’ unique circumstances, such arrangements are the onlypractical means to satisfy these requirements. Parties participating in a regionalarrangement shall develop a Regional Reception Facilities Plan, taking into accountthe guidelines developed by the Organization.
The Government of each Party participating in the arrangement shall consult withthe Organization for circulation to the Parties of the present Convention:
- how the Regional Reception Facilities Plan takes into account theGuidelines;
- particulars of the identified Regional Ships Waste Reception Centres; and
- particulars of those ports with only limited facilities.
2ter Where regulation 13 of this annex requires a prewash and the RegionalReception Facility Plan is applicable to the port of unloading, the prewash andsubsequent discharge to a reception facility shall be carried out as prescribed inregulation 13 of this annex or at a Regional Ship Waste Reception Centre specifiedin the applicable Regional Reception Facility Plan.
Amendments to Annex IV ( Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships)
New paragraph 1bis is added to regulation 12 of Annex IV
1bis Small Island Developing States may satisfy the requirements in paragraph 1of this regulation through regional arrangements when, because of those States’unique circumstances, such arrangements are the only practical means to satisfythese requirements. Parties participating in a regional arrangement shall develop aRegional Reception Facilities Plan, taking into account the guidelines developed bythe Organization.
The Government of each Party participating in the arrangement shall consult withthe Organization for circulation to the Parties of the present Convention:
- how the Regional Reception Facilities Plan takes into account the Guidelines;
- particulars of the identified Regional Ships Waste Reception Centres; and
- particulars of those ports with only limited facilities.
Amendments to Annex V ( Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships)
New paragraph 2bis is added to regulation 8 of Annex V
2bis Small Island Developing States may satisfy the requirements inparagraphs 1 and 2.1 of this regulation through regional arrangements when,because of those States’ unique circumstances, such arrangements are the onlypractical means to satisfy these requirements. Parties participating in a regionalarrangement shall develop a Regional Reception Facilities Plan, taking into accountthe guidelines developed by the Organization.
The Government of each Party participating in the Arrangement shall consult withthe Organization for circulation to the Parties of the present Convention:
- how the Regional Reception Facilities Plan takes into account theGuidelines;
- particulars of the identified Regional Ships Waste Reception Centres; and
- particulars of those ports with only limited facilities.
