Marpol convention Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Marpol convention - Essay Example The Marpol convention has 6 technical annexes which include regulations that provide guidelines for reducing marine pollution caused by ships either during their routine operations or due to accidents. The Annex I cover the regulations for preventing pollution due to oil spills which came into force in 1983. Amendments to this annex, which mandated the incorporation of double hulls in oil tankers, were introduced in 1992. The Annex II included regulations that controlled the discharge of about 250 noxious liquid substances in bulk after their evaluation. Discharge of such substances within 12 miles from the nearest land is strictly prohibited especially in the Baltic and Black sea regions. This annex came into force in 1983. Annex III, which entered into force in 1992, deals with the transportation of packaged harmful substances and issues requirements for packing, marking, labeling, documentation, storage and quantity limits. Annex IV came into effect in 2003 and deals with the cont rol of sewage pollution in marine waters. Annex V, which has been effective since 1988, details the types of garbage’s, mode of their disposal and distance from land. The most prominent inclusion is the ban on the disposal of all forms of plastic into the sea. Annex VI is the latest addition which came into effect in 2005. It lists the regulations for controlling air pollution from ships which includes the emission of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide from ship exhausts and it prohibits the release of ozone depleting substances into the atmosphere. The annexes have been updated over the years by the addition of several amendments as required. It is necessary for the state parties to accept annexes I and II while the other annexes are voluntary.