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International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships - MARPOL 73/78:
In 1973, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships and subsequently modified it by Protocol in 1978. The Convention is widely known as MARPOL 73/78. Its objective is to limit ship-borne pollution by restricting operational pollution and reducing the possibility of accidental pollution. MARPOL specifies standards for stowing, handling, shipping, and transferring pollutant cargoes, as well as standards for discharge of ship-generated operational wastes. Acceptance of the convention by national government obliges them to make the requirements part of domestic law.
MARPOL 73/78 consists of six separate Annexes, each set out regulations covering the various sources of ship-generated pollution. Annex I and II are mandatory for all signatory nations to MARPOL while Annexes III, IV, V and VI are optional.
Currently, the U.S. is signatory to Annexes I, II, III, V and VI. Annexes I, II, V and VI have been incorporated into U.S. law by the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and implemented within 33 USC 1901 and 33 CFR 151. The U.S. incorporates Annex III by the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA) implemented within 46 USC 2101 and 49 CFR 171 -174 and 176. Although the U.S. has not ratified Annex IV, the U.S. has equivalent regulations for the treatment and discharge standards of shipboard sewage – the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) as amended by the Clean Water Act and implemented by 33 USC 1251 and 33 CFR 159.
The table below indicates each Annex by pollution source, its title, U.S. signatory status and implementing legislation, law and/or regulations and applicable Coast Guard guidance. A brief discussion of the major provisions of each MARPOL Annex follows.
| International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships (MARPOL 73/78) |
| Annex |
Pollution Source |
Title |
U.S. Signatory? |
Implementing Legislation/ Regulations/ Guidance |
| I |
Oil |
Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution
by Oil |
Yes |
Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships of 1980 (APPS)
33 U.S.C. § 1901 – 1912
33 CFR Parts 151,155, 156, 157
Marine Safety Manual (MSM) Vol. II
NVIC 6-94
CG-3PCV Policy Ltr 06-09
G-MOC Policy Ltr 04-011, Rev. 1
G-PCV Policy Ltr 06-01 |
| II |
NLS |
Regulations for the Control of Pollution
by Noxious Liquid Substances (NLS) in bulk |
Yes |
APPS 33 U.S.C. § 1901 – 1912
33 CFR Parts 151
MSM, Vol. II
NVIC 03-06, 03-04
|
| III |
Packaged Substances |
Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution
by Harmful Substances in Packaged Form |
Yes |
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act of 1974 (HMTA)
49 U.S.C. § 1801 – 1813
46 CFR 148
49 CFR Parts 171-174 & 176
MSM, Vol. II |
| IV |
Sewage |
Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution
by Sewage from Ships
|
No |
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA)
as amended by the Clean Water Act (CWA)
33 U.S.C. § 1251
33 CFR 159
MSM, Vol. II
NVIC 01-09 |
| V |
Garbage |
Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution
by Garbage from Ships |
Yes |
APPS 33 U.S.C. § 1901 – 1912
33 CFR Parts 151
MSM, Vol. II |
| VI |
Air |
Regulations for the Prevention of
Air Pollution from Ships |
Yes |
APPS 33 U.S.C. § 1901 – 1912
EPA Engine Emissions: 40 CFR 94
CG-543 Policy Ltr 09-01
CG-CVC Policy Ltr 12-04
|
