During the 80th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), 3-7 July 2023, it was decided that from January 1st of 2025, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden will be special areas under MARPOL Annexes I and V.
In particular, the MEPC agreed the above, based on information provided related to the status of available necessary reception facilities for MARPOL Annexes I and V wastes and residues, covering all the ports and terminals within the areas. Under the Convention, these special areas are provided with a higher level of protection than other areas of the sea.
IMO informs that in Annex I Prevention of pollution by oil and Annex V Prevention of pollution by garbage from ships, MARPOL defines certain sea areas as “special areas” in which, for technical reasons relating to their oceanographical and ecological condition and to their sea traffic, the adoption of special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution is required. Under the Convention, these special areas are provided with a higher level of protection than other areas of the sea.
IMO’s MARPOL Convention has a long history of protecting the environment from the impact of shipping via a robust regulatory framework. On September 28th, 2023, at IMO World Maritime day, the whole maritime community will celebrate 50 years since this milestone environmental treaty became effective with the aim to address the prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.
Already designated special areas under MARPOL are as follows:
Annex I: Oil
- Mediterranean Sea
- Baltic Sea
- Black Sea
- Red Sea
- “Gulfs” area
- Gulf of Aden
- Antarctic area
- North West European Waters
- Oman area of the Arabian Sea
- Southern South African waters
Annex V: Garbage
- Mediterranean Sea
- Baltic Sea
- Black Sea
- Red Sea
- “Gulfs” area
- North Sea
- Antarctic area (south of latitude 60 degrees south)
- Wider Caribbean region including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea
