This document summarizes the key provisions of MARPOL 73/78, the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships. It outlines the six annexes of MARPOL which cover pollution by oil, noxious liquid substances, harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form, sewage, garbage, and air pollution. For each annex, it provides details on entry into force date, prohibited discharge criteria, record keeping and equipment requirements such as oil filtering and sewage treatment systems.

1. MARPOL 73/78MARPOL 73/78
Capt A MenonCapt A Menon
Ascent Marine InstituteAscent Marine Institute

2. Annex I: Pollution by OilAnnex I: Pollution by Oil
Annex II : Noxious LiquidAnnex II : Noxious Liquid
Substances in BulkSubstances in Bulk
Annex III: Harmful SubstancesAnnex III: Harmful Substances
Carried by Sea in Packaged FormCarried by Sea in Packaged Form
Annex IV: Sewage from ShipsAnnex IV: Sewage from Ships
(entry into force date 27 September(entry into force date 27 September
2003)2003)
Annex V: GarbageAnnex V: Garbage
Annex VI: Air PollutionAnnex VI: Air Pollution

3.  ANNEX IANNEX I:: PREVENTION OFPREVENTION OF
POLLUTION BY OILPOLLUTION BY OIL
 Entry into force:Entry into force: 2 October 19832 October 1983
- Criterea for discharge of oilCriterea for discharge of oil
- Oil Filtering EquipmentOil Filtering Equipment
- Oil Record BookOil Record Book
- SOPEP:SOPEP: Shipboard Oil PollutionShipboard Oil Pollution
Emergency planEmergency plan

4. Criterea for discharge of oil – TankersCriterea for discharge of oil – Tankers
- More than 50nm from the nearest landMore than 50nm from the nearest land
- The tanker is proceeding en route.The tanker is proceeding en route.
- The instantaneous rate of discharge of oilThe instantaneous rate of discharge of oil
does not exceed 30L/nmdoes not exceed 30L/nm
- - The total quantity of oil discharged into- The total quantity of oil discharged into
the sea does not exceedthe sea does not exceed
– 1/30,000 of total quantity of that cargo –1/30,000 of total quantity of that cargo –
– The tanker has in operation ODMCS andThe tanker has in operation ODMCS and
a slop tank arrangement.a slop tank arrangement.

5. Oil Filtering EquipmentOil Filtering Equipment
- Ensure that any oil mixture discharge into- Ensure that any oil mixture discharge into
sea after passing through the system has ansea after passing through the system has an
oil content not exceeding 15ppm,oil content not exceeding 15ppm,
- Provided with alarm arrangements toProvided with alarm arrangements to
indicate when this level cannot beindicate when this level cannot be
maintainedmaintained
- To ensure that discharge is automaticallyTo ensure that discharge is automatically
stopped when oil content exceed 15ppm.stopped when oil content exceed 15ppm.

6. Oil Record BookOil Record Book
- Every oil tanker of 150 tons gross tonnage andEvery oil tanker of 150 tons gross tonnage and
above and every ship of 400 tons grossabove and every ship of 400 tons gross
tonnage and above other than an oil tankertonnage and above other than an oil tanker
shall be provided with an Oil Record Bookshall be provided with an Oil Record Book
Part I (Machinery Space Operations).Part I (Machinery Space Operations).
- Every oil tanker of 150 tons gross tonnage andEvery oil tanker of 150 tons gross tonnage and
above shall also be provided with an Oilabove shall also be provided with an Oil
Record Book Part II (Cargo/BallastRecord Book Part II (Cargo/Ballast
Operations).Operations).

7. SOPEPSOPEP
Every oil tanker of 150GRT and above &Every oil tanker of 150GRT and above &
every ship other than an oil tanker of 400GRTevery ship other than an oil tanker of 400GRT
and above shall carry an approved SOPEP.and above shall carry an approved SOPEP.
The plan shall consist at least of:The plan shall consist at least of:
– Reporting procedures for oil pollution.Reporting procedures for oil pollution.
– The list of authorities to be contacted.The list of authorities to be contacted.
– Action to be taken immediately by personsAction to be taken immediately by persons
on board to reduce or control the dischargeon board to reduce or control the discharge
– The procedures and point of contact for co-The procedures and point of contact for co-
ordinating with national and local authoritiesordinating with national and local authorities

8. ANNEX II:ANNEX II: CONTROL OF POLLUTIONCONTROL OF POLLUTION
BY NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCESBY NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES
Entry into force:Entry into force: 6 April 19876 April 1987
- Cargoes are divided into three categories:Cargoes are divided into three categories:
- X – Pose severe threat to the environment.X – Pose severe threat to the environment.
Such vessels shall conduct a prewash afterSuch vessels shall conduct a prewash after
discharge and ensure the cargo in the tank isdischarge and ensure the cargo in the tank is
less that 1% of total cargo by weight.less that 1% of total cargo by weight.

9. - Y – Pose threat to the environment.Y – Pose threat to the environment.
- Z – Pose minor threat to the environment.Z – Pose minor threat to the environment.
- Tanks carrying category Y and Z cargoes needTanks carrying category Y and Z cargoes need
not be prewashed after discharge provided thenot be prewashed after discharge provided the
discharge has been conducted as per the P & Adischarge has been conducted as per the P & A
Manual (Procedure and ArrangementsManual (Procedure and Arrangements
Manual)Manual)

10. - The ship is proceeding en route at a speed of- The ship is proceeding en route at a speed of
at least 7ktsat least 7kts
- The discharge is made below the water lineThe discharge is made below the water line
through the underwater discharge outlet notthrough the underwater discharge outlet not
exceeding the maximum rate for which theexceeding the maximum rate for which the
underwater discharge outlet is designed andunderwater discharge outlet is designed and
- - The discharge is made at a distance of not- The discharge is made at a distance of not
less than 12nm from the neatest land in a depthless than 12nm from the neatest land in a depth
of water of not less than 25m.of water of not less than 25m.

11. Reg 15: Cargo Record Book:Reg 15: Cargo Record Book:
Every ship to which this annex applies shallEvery ship to which this annex applies shall
be provided with a Cargo Record Book,be provided with a Cargo Record Book,
whether as part of the ship’s official logwhether as part of the ship’s official log
book or otherwise.book or otherwise.
Shipboard Marine Pollution EmergencyShipboard Marine Pollution Emergency
Plan for noxious liquid substances:Plan for noxious liquid substances:
Required for every oil tanker of 150GRTRequired for every oil tanker of 150GRT
and above certified to carry noxious liquidand above certified to carry noxious liquid
substances in bulk.substances in bulk.

12. ANNEX III: POLLUTION BYANNEX III: POLLUTION BY
HARMFUL SUBSTANCES INHARMFUL SUBSTANCES IN
PACKAGED FORMPACKAGED FORM
Entry into force:Entry into force: 1 July 19921 July 1992
-- general requirements for the issuing ofgeneral requirements for the issuing of
detailed standards on packing, marking,detailed standards on packing, marking,
labelling, documentation, stowage, quantitylabelling, documentation, stowage, quantity
limitations, exceptions and notifications forlimitations, exceptions and notifications for
preventing pollution by harmful substancespreventing pollution by harmful substances

13. ANNEX IVANNEX IV:: PREVENTION OFPREVENTION OF
POLLUTION BY SEWAGE FROMPOLLUTION BY SEWAGE FROM
SHIPSSHIPS
Entry into force: 27Entry into force: 27thth
Sept 2003Sept 2003
- requirements to control pollution of the searequirements to control pollution of the sea
by sewage.by sewage.
- Discharging of comminuted and disinfectedDischarging of comminuted and disinfected
sewage at a distance of more than 3nm fromsewage at a distance of more than 3nm from
the nearest land,the nearest land,

14. - Discharge of sewage which is notDischarge of sewage which is not
comminute or disinfected at a distance ofcomminute or disinfected at a distance of
more than 12 nautical miles from the nearestmore than 12 nautical miles from the nearest
land,land,
- the sewage that has been stored in holdingthe sewage that has been stored in holding
tanks shall not be dischargedtanks shall not be discharged
instantaneously but at a moderate rate wheninstantaneously but at a moderate rate when
the ship is en route and proceeding at notthe ship is en route and proceeding at not
less than 4 knots.less than 4 knots.

15. The ship has in operation an approvedThe ship has in operation an approved
sewage treatment plant which has beensewage treatment plant which has been
certified by the Administration to meet thecertified by the Administration to meet the
operational requirements andoperational requirements and
(I) The test results of the plant are laid down(I) The test results of the plant are laid down
in the ship’s International Sewage Pollutionin the ship’s International Sewage Pollution
Prevention Certificate andPrevention Certificate and
(ii) Additionally, the effluent shall not(ii) Additionally, the effluent shall not
produce visible floating solids in, nor causeproduce visible floating solids in, nor cause
discoloration of, the surrounding water;discoloration of, the surrounding water;

16. ANNEX V: PREVENTION OFANNEX V: PREVENTION OF
POLLUTION BY GARBAGEPOLLUTION BY GARBAGE
Entry into force:Entry into force: 31 Dec 198831 Dec 1988
The revised MARPOL annex V entered intoThe revised MARPOL annex V entered into
force on 1 January 2013 entailing theforce on 1 January 2013 entailing the
following substantial changes:following substantial changes:
Generally no garbage must be discharged intoGenerally no garbage must be discharged into
the seathe sea

18. - Garbage management plan- Garbage management plan must bemust be
carried by every ship of 400 GT and above.carried by every ship of 400 GT and above.
- ItIt shall provide written procedures forshall provide written procedures for
collecting, storing, processing andcollecting, storing, processing and
disposing of garbagedisposing of garbage
- They shall be provided with a GarbageThey shall be provided with a Garbage
Record Book where each dischargeRecord Book where each discharge
operation, or completed incineration, shalloperation, or completed incineration, shall
be recorded and signed by the Officer-in-be recorded and signed by the Officer-in-
charge.charge.

19. Entries in the Garbage Record Book:Entries in the Garbage Record Book:
When the garbage is discharged in to theWhen the garbage is discharged in to the
seasea
–Date/time / Position (for cargo residueDate/time / Position (for cargo residue
discharge – Start/stop position)discharge – Start/stop position)
–CategoryCategory
–Estimated amount discharged in m3Estimated amount discharged in m3
–Receipt must be kept with GRB for 2Receipt must be kept with GRB for 2
yearsyears

20. When garbage discharge to receptionWhen garbage discharge to reception
facilities ashore or to other ships:facilities ashore or to other ships:
–Date/time, Port/name of ship -- -Date/time, Port/name of ship -- -
CategoryCategory
- Estimated amount discharged in m3- Estimated amount discharged in m3
 When garbage is incinerated:When garbage is incinerated:
–Position / Date/time of start/stop ofPosition / Date/time of start/stop of
incineration.incineration.
Estimated amount incinerated in m3Estimated amount incinerated in m3

21. Accidental or exceptional dischargeAccidental or exceptional discharge
of garbage:of garbage:
–Time of occurrenceTime of occurrence
–Port or positionPort or position
Estimated amount and category ofEstimated amount and category of
garbage in m3garbage in m3
Circumstances of disposal, escape or loss,Circumstances of disposal, escape or loss,
the reason thereof and general remarksthe reason thereof and general remarks

22. ANNEX VI: PREVENTION OF AIRANNEX VI: PREVENTION OF AIR
POLLUTION FROM SHIPSPOLLUTION FROM SHIPS
Entry into force:Entry into force: 19th May 200519th May 2005
For Existing Vessels:For Existing Vessels:
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)::
17g / kW when Crankshaft RPM < 13017g / kW when Crankshaft RPM < 130
45g/kW when Crankshaft RPM 130-200045g/kW when Crankshaft RPM 130-2000
9.8g/kW when Crankshaft RPM > 20009.8g/kW when Crankshaft RPM > 2000

23. Ships constructed after 1 Jan 2011 :Ships constructed after 1 Jan 2011 :
Tier II Nox limitsTier II Nox limits
RPM < 130 : 14.4 g / kWRPM < 130 : 14.4 g / kW
Ships constructed after 1 Jan 2016 :Ships constructed after 1 Jan 2016 :
Tier III Nox limitsTier III Nox limits
RPM < 130 : 3.4 g / kWRPM < 130 : 3.4 g / kW

24. Sulphur Oxides (SOx)Sulphur Oxides (SOx)
New limits on the sulphur content ofNew limits on the sulphur content of
marine fuel oils used shall be as follows:marine fuel oils used shall be as follows:
Outside the ECAsOutside the ECAs
−− since 1 January 2012, the sulphursince 1 January 2012, the sulphur
content limit will be 3.5 %;content limit will be 3.5 %;
−− since 1 January 2020 – 0.5%,since 1 January 2020 – 0.5%,
Within ECA:Within ECA:
−− since 01.01.2015 – 0.1 %,since 01.01.2015 – 0.1 %,

25. OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCESOZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES
Any deliberate emissions of ozone-Any deliberate emissions of ozone-
depleting substances shall be prohibited.depleting substances shall be prohibited.
except that deliberate emissions do notexcept that deliberate emissions do not
include minimal releases associated withinclude minimal releases associated with
the recapture or recycling of an ozone-the recapture or recycling of an ozone-
depleting substance.depleting substance.

26.  New installations which contain New installations which contain
ozone-depleting substances shall be ozone-depleting substances shall be
prohibited on all ships, except that prohibited on all ships, except that
new installations containing new installations containing
hydrochlorofluorocarbonshydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are (HCFCs) are
permitted until 1 January 2020.permitted until 1 January 2020.

27.  Volatile organic compounds:Volatile organic compounds:
TThe emissions of volatile organiche emissions of volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) from tankers are tocompounds (VOCs) from tankers are to
be regulated in ports or terminals.be regulated in ports or terminals.
Such vessels shall have an approvedSuch vessels shall have an approved
VOC Management manual.VOC Management manual.
New vessels shall be fitted with a VapourNew vessels shall be fitted with a Vapour
Return line.Return line.

28. Data collection system for fuel oilData collection system for fuel oil
consumption of shipsconsumption of ships
Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI onAmendments to MARPOL Annex VI on
Data collection system for fuel oilData collection system for fuel oil
consumption of ships, entered into forceconsumption of ships, entered into force
on 1 March 2018.on 1 March 2018.
Under the amendments, ships of 5,000Under the amendments, ships of 5,000
gross tonnage and above are required togross tonnage and above are required to
collect consumption data for each type ofcollect consumption data for each type of
fuel oil they use .fuel oil they use .

29.  The aggregated data is reported to theThe aggregated data is reported to the
flag State after the end of each calendarflag State after the end of each calendar
year and the flag State, havingyear and the flag State, having
determined that the data has beendetermined that the data has been
reported in accordance with thereported in accordance with the
requirements, issues a Statement ofrequirements, issues a Statement of
Compliance to the ship. Flag States areCompliance to the ship. Flag States are
required to subsequently transfer this datarequired to subsequently transfer this data
to an IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumptionto an IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption
Database.Database.

30.  Annex VI Energy Efficiency MeasuresAnnex VI Energy Efficiency Measures
Entered into force : 1Entered into force : 1stst
Jan 2013Jan 2013
The Energy Efficiency Design IndexThe Energy Efficiency Design Index
(EEDI) was made mandatory for new(EEDI) was made mandatory for new
ships and the Ship Energy Efficiencyships and the Ship Energy Efficiency
Management Plan (SEEMP) for all shipsManagement Plan (SEEMP) for all ships

31. The EEDI requires a minimum energyThe EEDI requires a minimum energy
efficiency level per capacity mile (e.g.efficiency level per capacity mile (e.g.
tonne mile) for different ship type andtonne mile) for different ship type and
size segments. Since 1 January 2013,size segments. Since 1 January 2013,
following an initial two year phasefollowing an initial two year phase
zero, new ship design needs to meet thezero, new ship design needs to meet the
reference level for their ship type.reference level for their ship type.

32. THANK YOUTHANK YOU