History Of (MARPOL 73/78) And Regional Implementations

By Capt. Awad Saeed Manager Environment Kuwait Petroleum Corporation

OILPOL 54

In 1954, the United Kingdom organized a conference on oil pollution resulted in; the adoption of the International Convention for the Prevention Pollution of the Sea by Oil (OILPOL), 1954. Following entry into force of the IMO Convention in 1958, the depository and Secretariat functions in relation to the Convention were transferred from the United Kingdom Government to IMO.
KPC 2

OILPOL 54

The 1954 Convention,was amended in 1962, 1969 and 1971, primarily addressed pollution resulting from routine tanker operations and the discharge of oily wastes from machinery spaces. Established "prohibited zones" extending at least 50 miles from the nearest land and allows discharge of oil mixture of 10ppm. Countries take all appropriate steps to promote the provision of facilities for the reception of oily water and residues.
KPC 3

1973 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73)

None adequacy the 1954 OILPOL Convention, despite the various amendments which had been adopted. In 1969, the IMO Assembly inspired by the Torrey Canyon disaster in 1967. Decided to convene an international conference to adopt a completely new convention The 1973 conference incorporated much of OILPOL 1954 and its amendments into Annex I, covering oil.
KPC 4

Torrey Canyon

KPC

1978 Conference on Tanker Safety and Pollution Prevention (MARPOL 78 Protocol)

An international Conference on tanker safety and Pollution Prevention was held in 1998, following 1976-1977 series of tanker incidents. The Conference adopted a protocol to the 1973 MARPOL Convention(was not then in force), absorbing the parent Convention and expanding. The requirements for segregated ballast tanks, crude oil washing system(COW) and clean ballast tanks for existing tankers over 40,000tons.

KPC

International Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78)

Entry into force: 2 October 1983

Annex I - Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil Annex II - Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk. Annex III - Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form.

Entry into force: 6 April 1987

Entry into force: 1 July 1992

Entry into force: 27 September 2003

Annex IV - Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships. Annex V - Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships.

Entry into force: 31 December 1988

Entry into force: 19 May 2005

Annex VI - Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships (adopted September 1997 - not yet in force.

KPC

International Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78)

To speed-up the implementation the Conference allowed that the Parties "shall not be bound by the provisions of Annex II of the Convention for a period of three years" from the date of entry into force of the Protocol, so that countries could accept Annex I and have three years to implement Annex II. Sufficient States had ratified MARPOL by October 1982, and finally entered into force on 2 October 1983 (for Annexes I and II)
KPC 8

KPC

Regional Implementations Back Ground

ROPME States first meeting on reception facilities was convened in Kuwait 1982. High priority was given to reception and treatment of dirty ballast. Feasibility study by Overseas Shipbuilding Cooperation Centre (OSCC) in 1984. The study resulted in huge amount of investment required to establish Ballast reception facilities to cover 23 ports.
KPC 10

New approach

ROPME to up-date OSCC study carried out in 1984 to meet the development that have taken place. To meet the requirement to accede MARPOL 73/78, a provision of small number (1-3) of land and/or floating reception facilities jointly funded on regional basis should be considered as an alternative and, Consider load-on-top system for the offshore crude loading terminals as the most cost effective method of satisfying MARPOL 73/78 requirements.
KPC 11

New approach cont.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) support commenced in 1989, GCC/ROPME ad-hoc meeting recommended to; Prepare a comprehensive study with the concerned international organizations for the accessions to MARPOL 73/78.

KPC

12

New approach cont.

Study the possibilities of establishing a central reception facility or to be distributed at a different ports/terminals in the Member States. The seventh meeting of ROPME Council decided that member state to accede to MARPOL 73/78. ROPME secretariat jointly with GCC to prepare a document to be submitted the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC/IMO) Prior to its annual meeting in March 1991.
KPC 13

Established Ad- hoc Task Force

ROPME/ IMO Symposium on MARPOL Convention held in Kuwait Feb.1996 recommended the set up of an ad-hoc task force includes experts from IMO,GCC, GAOCMAO (RECSO) and experts from member states to assist ROPME in carrying out a feasibility study in cooperation with Sultanate of Oman in line with 14th ROPME Executive Committee Meeting in Muscat, Jan.1996. ROPME Regional Feasibility Study.
KPC 14

Communications With IMO

Document summarizes the out come of the preparatory and 1st Regional Steering Committee meetings was submitted to MEPC/ IMO 45th Meeting. MEPC very much welcomed the RSA countries intention to accede, implement and enforce MARPOL by July 2002. Document on special area status has to be submitted in December 2001 Prior to the MEPC 47th meeting in March 2002.
KPC 15

Regional Implementations Obstacles

Cost Misinterpretation of the change in Tankers design (SBT). Reception Facilities the Regional Approach. Commitments from member states. Size and location for an adequate reception facilities to meet the requirements of MARPOL 73/78. Agreement on the fee structure
KPC 16

Regional Implementations Obstacles

Integrate MARPOL rules and regulations into the National Legislations. The need for Competent inspectors /surveyors. Proper Ship movements monitoring and surveillance. MARPOL enforcement requires regional Memorandum of Agreement on Port State Control.
KPC 17

Conclusion

All ROPME member States accession to MARPOL was announced in the GCC summit held in Qatar on 2007. At IMO - MEPC 52 (October 2004) ROPME Sea Area was extended to cover Arabian Sea up to the OMAN Yemen Borders. and came into force on 1 January 2007 together with the new revised Annexes I and II. 1st. August 2008 ROPME Sea Area will be declared a special area subject of the establishment of the reception facilities. Over 41,000 different vessels entered Strait of Hormuze in 2006 and 47,000 in 2007
KPC 18