The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships /MARPOL is an important convention for preventing pollution of the maritime environment. It sets standards for stowing, handling, and shipping and lays down rules regarding the disposal of ship-generated hazardous waste, such as cleaning agents and cargo hold washing water. MARPOL and SOLAS are considered two adequate safety and environmental protection tools of IMO. What is MARPOL, and why was it adopted? MARPOL Convention was adopted at IMO on November 2, 1973. The 1978 Protocol was adopted due to a rise in maritime accidents involving tankers in 1976 and 1977. Since the 1973 convention did not enter into force, the 1978 protocol was merged with it, and the combined convention entered into force on October 2, 1983. A Protocol amending the convention was adopted in 1997, and the 6th Annex was also added. This entered into force on May 19, 2005. Since then, MARPOL has been regularly updated through new amendments. The MARPOL Convention has regulations to prevent and reduce pollution from ships, both from accidents like oil spills and from a ship’s daily operations. MARPOL has 6 technical annexes with various chapters and regulations. All vessels flagged under nations that are MARPOL signatories must adhere to its requirements, irrespective of where they sail, and member states are also responsible for ships on their national ship registry. Read: SOLAS – The Ultimate Guide MARPOL 73/78, which came into force in 1973 and was later revised by the protocol in 1978, ensures that shipping remains the least environmentally damaging mode of transport. It also preserves the marine environment by eliminating pollution from all harmful substances discharged from ships. Related Read: 5 Instruments of International Maritime Organization (IMO) Every Seafarer Should Know Six Annexes of MARPOL Annex I: Regulation for pollution prevention by oil (October 1983). Annex II: Regulations for controlling pollution by Noxious Liquid Substance in Bulk (April 1987). Annex III: Regulation for preventing pollution by harmful substances carried at sea in packaged form (July 1992). Annex IV: Regulation for pollution prevention by sewage from ships (Sep 2003). Annex V: Regulation for pollution prevention by Garbage from ships (Dec 1998). Annex VI: Regulation for prevention of Air pollution from ships (May 2005). Summary of MARPOL Annexes and Important Regulations MARPOL Annex I Regulation for the prevention of pollution by oil (October 1983) This marpol protocol was adopted on 2nd October 1983 to prevent oil discharge or oily mixtures from ships intentionally or accidentally. It comprises 11 chapters, which together contain 47 Regulations. It was brought about due to a spate of tanker accidents. Chapter 1 gives a general description of MARPOL ANNEX I and consists of 5 regulations which explain the “Application” of this chapter in different types of ships, along with the “Definition” of different terminologies used in the chapter. The regulation may not apply to all kinds of ships; hence, a separate section for “Exceptions” and “Exemptions” is also provided. It also explains the condition where an administrator may allow alternative fittings, materials, appliances, etc., to be installed on ships to fulfil this annexe. Most importantly, this annexe prohibits dumping hazardous waste within 12 nautical miles of the nearest land. Chapter 2 deals with the Survey and Certification requirement for all oi