Understanding Marpol Annex 1 Regulations

Sep 8, 2024

Notes on Annex 1 of Marpol

Introduction

  • Discussion on Annex 1 of Marpol
  • Importance of the topic: Regulation for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil
  • Year came into force: 1983

Oil Pollution Overview

  • Crude Oil Transportation: 2,900 million tons transported annually
  • Causes of Oil Pollution:
    • Operational causes:
      • Negligence of ship's crew
      • Cleaning of cargo tanks
      • Tank cleaning
      • Bilge cleaning
    • Accidental causes:
      • Grounding
      • Collision
  • Effects on Marine Environment:
    • Oxygen exchange interference
    • Toxic elements enter the food chain
    • Impact on marine life growth
    • Interference with recreational beach use
    • Oil affects seabirds, making them casualties

Special Areas

  • Definition: Sea areas requiring special mandatory methods to prevent pollution
  • Annex 1 Special Areas:
    1. Mediterranean Sea
    2. Baltic Sea
    3. Red Sea
    4. Persian Gulf
    5. Black Sea
    6. Gulf of Aden
    7. Antarctic Area
    8. Northwest European Waters
    9. Oman Area of Arabian Sea
    10. Southern South African Waters

Discharge Criteria

Requirements for Machinery Spaces

  • Ships of 400 gross tonnage and above
    • Outside Special Area:
      • Oily mixture processed through oil filtering equipment
      • Oil content not to exceed 15 parts per million (ppm)
      • Working alarm & automatic stoppage system required
      • Mixture should not originate from cargo pump room bilges
    • Within Special Area:
      • Same requirements as above, but no discharge allowed in Antarctic area

Requirements for Cargo Areas of Oil Tankers

  • Outside Special Area:
    • Minimum 50 nautical miles from land
    • Instantaneous discharge rate not to exceed 30 liters per nautical mile
    • Total quantity must not exceed 1/15,000 for ships delivered before 31st Dec 1979 and 1/30,000 for later ships
    • Must have Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control System (ODMCS)
  • Within Special Area:
    • No discharge of oil or oily mixtures allowed

Oil Record Book (ORB)

  • Parts:
    • Part 1: Machinery Space Operations (for ships of 400 gross tonnage and above)
    • Part 2: Cargo and Ballast Operations (for oil tankers of 150 gross tonnage and above)
  • Must be available for inspection and preserved for 3 years
  • Entries Include:
    • Cleaning and discharge operations
    • Bunkering of fuel oil
    • Loading and discharge of oil cargo

Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP)

  • Required for oil tankers of 150 gross tonnage and above
  • Must be approved by the administration
  • Contents:
    • Reporting procedures for oil pollution incidents
    • List of authorities to contact
    • Actions to control oil discharge

International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP)

  • Required for oil tankers of 150 gross tonnage and above
  • Issued by administration, valid for 5 years
  • Form A for non-oil tankers, Form B for oil tankers

Conclusion

  • Summary of key points discussed in Annex 1
  • Encouragement to like, share, and subscribe for more informative content.