CHIEF ENGINEER Unit 5 MARPOL – Garbage Q1

The International MARPOL Convention Annex V is a crucial part of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), specifically addressing the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships. Its primary goal is to minimize the amount of waste discharged into the sea from ships, protecting marine ecosystems and coastal environments.  

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

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

Key Provisions of MARPOL Annex V

• Garbage Definition: The annex defines garbage broadly, including all kinds of food wastes, domestic and operational wastes, all plastics, cargo residues, incinerator ashes, cooking oil, fishing gear, and animal carcasses generated during the normal operation of a ship.   1. safety4sea.com safety4sea.com2. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org
• Discharge Restrictions: It outlines strict regulations on the disposal of garbage at sea, varying depending on the type of garbage and the ship’s distance from land. Some types of garbage, like plastics, are prohibited from being discharged entirely.   1. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) www.imo.org2. MARPOL Annex V – Garbage from ships – revised – UK P&I Club www.ukpandi.com
• Special Areas: The annex designates certain ecologically sensitive regions as “Special Areas,” where even stricter discharge controls apply.   1. Ship’s sewage and garbage (MARPOL Annex IV-V) – deutsche-flagge.de www.deutsche-flagge.de
• Garbage Management Plans: Ships are required to have Garbage Management Plans outlining their procedures for handling, storing, and disposing of garbage in compliance with Annex V.   1. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org
• Garbage Record Book: Ships of a certain size must maintain a Garbage Record Book to document their garbage disposal activities.   1. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org

Significance

• Environmental Protection: By regulating the disposal of garbage from ships, Annex V plays a crucial role in protecting marine life, preventing the accumulation of plastic debris, and maintaining the health of our oceans.
• Maritime Safety: Reducing marine debris also contributes to maritime safety by minimizing the risk of entanglement or damage to ships and navigational equipment.
• International Cooperation: Annex V promotes global cooperation in combating marine pollution by establishing uniform standards and procedures for garbage disposal from ships, regardless of their flag state.

Recent Amendments

• Red Sea Special Area: Effective from January 1, 2025, the Red Sea has been designated as a Special Area under Annex V, imposing further restrictions on garbage disposal in this ecologically sensitive region.   1. MEPC 80 – Designation of The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden areas as Special Areas www.mts.gov.eg
• Garbage Record Book Requirement: From May 1, 2024, ships of 100 gross tonnage and above must have a Garbage Record Book, expanding the previous requirement that applied only to ships of 400 gross tonnage or above.   1. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org

In conclusion, MARPOL Annex V is a vital international instrument in the fight against marine pollution. It promotes responsible waste management practices onboard ships and significantly contributes to the preservation of our oceans and marine ecosystems.

As of May 1, 2024, the following vessels are required to have a Garbage Record Book (GRB) onboard, as per the amendments to MARPOL Annex V:

1. Ships engaged in voyages to ports or offshore terminals under the jurisdiction of another Party to Annex V: This encompasses all ships, regardless of their size or type, that travel internationally and call at ports or offshore terminals in countries that have ratified MARPOL Annex V.
2. Ships of 100 gross tonnage and above: This criterion includes all ships exceeding 100 gross tonnage, even if they operate exclusively within the waters of a single country that is party to Annex V.
3. Ships certified to carry 15 or more persons: This applies to passenger ships and other vessels with a passenger capacity of 15 or more, regardless of their gross tonnage.
4. Fixed or floating platforms: This includes offshore installations such as oil rigs, platforms, and other structures engaged in exploration or exploitation of the seabed, its subsoil, or its resources.

Key points to note:

• The GRB requirement now extends to ships as small as 100 gross tonnage, compared to the previous threshold of 400 gross tonnage.
• The GRB must be maintained and readily available for inspection by port state control authorities.
• The GRB should be kept on board for a minimum of two years after the last entry is made.
• Fishing vessels are also required to record the discharge or loss of fishing gear, either in the GRB or the ship’s official logbook.

By mandating the use of GRBs for a wider range of vessels, MARPOL Annex V strengthens its efforts to control and monitor garbage disposal from ships, promoting cleaner oceans and healthier marine ecosystems.

The following operations require an entry in the Garbage Record Book (GRB) as per MARPOL Annex V:

Part I: Disposal of Garbage Outside Special Areas

• Disposal into the sea:
  • Disposal of any garbage into the sea.
  • Accidental loss or disposal of fishing gear.
• Disposal to reception facilities:
  • Delivery of garbage to reception facilities.

Part II: Disposal of Garbage Within Special Areas

• Disposal into the sea:
  • Disposal of food wastes into the sea.
  • Accidental loss or disposal of fishing gear.
• Disposal to reception facilities:
  • Delivery of garbage to reception facilities.

General Points

• All ships subject to Annex V: All ships that are required to have a GRB onboard must make entries for the above-mentioned operations.
• No discharge: Even if no discharge occurs, an entry may be required to indicate that the ship was in a Special Area or within a certain distance from land, and that no disposal took place.
• Date, time, and position: Each entry must include the date, time, and position of the ship at the time of the operation.
• Description and quantity: The type and estimated amount of garbage disposed of or delivered to a reception facility should be recorded.
• Incineration: If garbage is incinerated onboard, the date, time, and position of the ship at the time of incineration, as well as the estimated amount of garbage incinerated, should be recorded.

Additional Information

• Fishing gear: For fishing vessels, there’s a separate section in the GRB or fishing logbook to record the disposal or loss of fishing gear.
• Master’s signature: Each completed page of the GRB must be signed by the Master of the ship.

Remember that proper record-keeping in the GRB is crucial for demonstrating compliance with MARPOL Annex V and avoiding potential penalties. Always consult the latest version of the regulations and any specific guidelines from your flag state or relevant authorities for accurate and up-to-date information.

When an operation related to garbage disposal or handling is conducted, the following specific pieces of information must be entered into the Garbage Record Book (GRB):

1. Date and Time:

• The exact date and time when the operation commenced or concluded.

2. Ship’s Position:

• The ship’s location at the time of the operation, recorded in latitude and longitude coordinates.   1. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org
• If disposal at sea, the start and stop positions for the discharge should also be included.   1. Amendments to MARPOL Annex V (regulation for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships) – DNV www.dnv.com

3. Operation Code:

• A code from the standardized list in the GRB, indicating the type of operation performed (e.g., disposal into the sea, delivery to reception facilities, incineration).

4. Garbage Category and Description:

• The specific category of garbage involved in the operation (e.g., plastics, food waste, cargo residues).   1. Amendments to MARPOL Annex V (regulation for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships) – DNV www.dnv.com
• A brief description of the garbage, if necessary, for further clarity.

5. Estimated Amount:

• An approximate estimation of the quantity of garbage disposed of, delivered, or incinerated, typically recorded in cubic meters or kilograms.   1. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org

6. Disposal Method or Recipient:

• If disposed of at sea, the location (within or outside Special Area) and method of disposal (e.g., comminuted and discharged).
• If delivered to a reception facility, the name and location of the facility.
• If incinerated, the estimated amount and time of incineration.

7. Master’s Signature:

• The Master’s signature or that of the designated officer responsible for overseeing the operation.

Additional Considerations:

• Accurate and Complete Records: It’s essential to ensure that the entries are accurate, complete, and made without delay.
• Retention: The GRB must be retained onboard for at least two years after the last entry.   1. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org
• Inspection: The GRB is subject to inspection by port state control authorities to verify compliance with MARPOL Annex V.
• Specific Requirements: Some operations, like cargo residues disposal, may have additional information requirements outlined in the GRB.   1. Amendments to MARPOL Annex V (regulation for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships) – DNV www.dnv.com

By diligently recording these details for each garbage-related operation, ships demonstrate their commitment to responsible waste management and help protect the marine environment from pollution.