Hotel Service Unit 17 Q1

MARPOL Annex V, formally known as the Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships, is a crucial part of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). It aims to minimize and control the disposal of garbage from ships into the marine environment.  

1. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization

2. 01/2022—MARPOL Annex V (Garbage) Discharges | Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Key Points about MARPOL Annex V:

• Purpose: The primary goal of Annex V is to protect the marine environment from the harmful effects of garbage disposal, which can endanger marine life, disrupt ecosystems, and create navigational hazards.   1. Understanding MARPOL Annex V – Garbage Management Onboard Ships www.jwce.com
• Scope: The Annex applies to all ships, regardless of their size or type, and covers various types of garbage generated onboard, including:
  • Food waste   1. Annex V MARPOL | Developments legislation seagoing vessels english.ilent.nl
  • Domestic waste   1. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org
  • Operational waste   1. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org
  • Cargo residues   1. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org
  • Cleaning agents and additives   1. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org
  • Animal carcasses   1. Do you know what happens with animal carcasses onboard? – SAFETY4SEA safety4sea.com
    1. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org
• General Prohibition: Annex V generally prohibits the discharge of all garbage into the sea, except as provided otherwise in specific regulations within the Annex.   1. MARPOL Annex V – Garbage from ships – revised – UK P&I Club www.ukpandi.com
• Exceptions: Certain types of garbage, such as food waste, cargo residues, and cleaning agents, may be discharged under specific conditions and distances from land, as outlined in the regulations.   1. Marpol compliance distances from nearest land – Gard gard.no
• Special Areas: The Annex designates certain regions, such as the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Wider Caribbean Region, as “Special Areas” with stricter regulations on garbage discharge due to their environmental sensitivity.   1. Annex V MARPOL | Developments legislation seagoing vessels english.ilent.nl
• Garbage Management Plan: Ships are required to have a Garbage Management Plan outlining procedures for minimizing garbage generation, separating different types of waste, and ensuring proper disposal or discharge in compliance with regulations.   1. 01/2022—MARPOL Annex V (Garbage) Discharges | Australian Maritime Safety Authority www.amsa.gov.au
• Garbage Record Book: Ships must maintain a Garbage Record Book to document all garbage handling and disposal activities.   1. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org
• Port Reception Facilities: The effectiveness of Annex V relies on the availability of adequate port reception facilities where ships can offload their garbage for proper disposal ashore.   1. Reception facilities – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org

Importance of MARPOL Annex V:

• Environmental Protection: It plays a crucial role in safeguarding the marine environment by preventing the pollution caused by garbage disposal from ships.   1. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org
• Marine Life Protection: It helps protect marine life from the harmful effects of ingesting or becoming entangled in garbage.
• Navigational Safety: It reduces the risk of navigational hazards caused by floating debris.
• Human Health Protection: It indirectly contributes to human health by protecting the quality of seafood and recreational waters.

In summary, MARPOL Annex V is an important international agreement that aims to minimize marine pollution caused by garbage from ships. It establishes a framework for responsible waste management onboard vessels and encourages the adoption of sustainable practices to protect the marine environment.  

1. MARPOL Annex V – Garbage from ships – revised – UK P&I Club

As of September 8, 2024, MARPOL Annex V regulations regarding the Garbage Record Book apply to the following types of vessels:

• Ships of 100 gross tonnage and above
• Ships certified to carry 15 or more persons engaged in voyages to ports or offshore terminals under the jurisdiction of another Party to the Convention   1. www.irclass.org www.irclass.org
• Fixed or floating platforms

This means that virtually all commercial vessels, including cargo ships, tankers, passenger ships, and even smaller vessels like ferries or yachts that meet the above criteria, are required to maintain a Garbage Record Book.

It’s important to note that the gross tonnage threshold was recently lowered from 400 to 100 on May 1, 2024, expanding the applicability of the regulation to a wider range of vessels.Sources and related content

MARPOL Annex V categorizes garbage into nine distinct groups for the purpose of the Garbage Record Book. These categories help in maintaining proper records of garbage generation, storage, and disposal, ensuring compliance with regulations.

1. Plastics:

• Description: This category includes any garbage that consists of or includes plastic in any form, such as synthetic ropes, fishing nets, plastic bags, packaging materials, and even incinerator ashes from plastic products.
• Discharge Regulations: Discharge of plastics into the sea is strictly prohibited.

2. Food Wastes:

• Description: Encompasses all food substances, whether spoiled or unspoiled, generated during the normal operation of the ship.
• Discharge Regulations:
  • Can be discharged at sea under specific conditions:
    • More than 3 nautical miles from the nearest land
    • Comminuted or ground to less than 25 mm particle size
    • Discharged while the ship is en route and at a speed of more than 3 knots

3. Domestic Wastes:

• Description: Garbage generated in the accommodation spaces on board, including items like bottles, cans, paper, cardboard, and other household waste.
• Discharge Regulations: Discharge of domestic wastes into the sea is strictly prohibited.

4. Cooking Oil:

• Description: Includes edible oils and animal fats used for food preparation or cooking.
• Discharge Regulations: Discharge of cooking oil into the sea is strictly prohibited.

5. Incinerator Ashes:

• Description: Ashes and clinkers resulting from the incineration of garbage onboard.
• Discharge Regulations: Discharge of incinerator ashes into the sea is strictly prohibited.

6. Operational Wastes:

• Description: Solid wastes (including slurries) generated during the normal maintenance or operation of the ship, such as cleaning materials, rags, filters, and used oil absorbents.
• Discharge Regulations: Discharge of operational wastes into the sea is strictly prohibited.

7. Cargo Residues:

• Description: Remnants or residues of cargo carried on board, such as solid bulk cargo residues, cleaning agents, and cargo-associated packaging materials.
• Discharge Regulations: Discharge of cargo residues is subject to specific regulations depending on the type of cargo and its potential environmental impact. Some residues may be allowed to be discharged under controlled conditions, while others are strictly prohibited.

8. Fishing Gear:

• Description: Includes lost or discarded fishing gear, such as nets, lines, traps, and other fishing-related equipment.
• Discharge Regulations: Discharge of fishing gear into the sea is strictly prohibited.

9. Animal Carcasses:

• Description: The remains of animals that have died or been slaughtered on board.
• Discharge Regulations: Discharge of animal carcasses into the sea is strictly prohibited within 12 nautical miles of the nearest land. Beyond that distance, they may be discharged under specific conditions, such as grinding and deepwater disposal.

By classifying garbage into these categories, MARPOL Annex V facilitates proper record-keeping and helps ensure that ships adhere to the regulations for the prevention of marine pollution by garbage. It’s crucial for ship operators and crew members to understand these categories and their associated discharge restrictions to minimize their environmental impact and contribute to cleaner oceans.