Issue Summary
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MARPOL Annex V “Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships” has serious implications for the dry bulk trades as dry cargo residues, including those entrained in wash-water, are defined as garbage and subject to the provisions of the Annex. Hence, MARPOL Annex V has been a focus for Intercargo for a number of years as it has undergone a major review at IMO and it remains a work programme item.
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Intercargo has been supportive of the IMO aims to improve environmental performance seeking pragmatic regulation and the provision of adequate port reception facilities. Papers submitted by Intercargo to IMO can be found below.
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MARPOL Annex V has been extensively amended and the Revised Annex V will enter into force on 1 January 2013. A fundamental change is that the Annex now prohibits the discharge of any garbage unless expressly permitted within the provisions. For dry bulk cargo the definitions are now clearer and criteria for cargoes that are considered harmful to the marine environment (HME) have been included in the Guidelines; the residues of such cargoes are prohibited from discharge anywhere and hence require port reception facilities. Cleaning agents used for deck and hold washing are also now regulated by the Annex.
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It should be noted that that the MEPC Circular 675/Rev.1, that has effectively exempted cargo hold washwater from the provisions of Annex V in some special areas (Mediterranean Sea, Gulfs Area and the Wider Caribbean Region), will cease to be valid upon the entry into force of the revised Annex V on 1 January 2013.
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The responsibility for the implementation of Annex V goes beyond the shipowner and operator extending to port and terminals, shippers and charterers. Shippers and charterers have a responsibility to ensure cargoes are accurately declared and adequate port reception facilities are available at the receiving terminal, particularly within special areas and when cargoes are classified as harmful to the marine environment.
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A full briefing can be found here:
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Intercargo Technical Brief: Revised MARPOL Annex V & Dry Bulk Cargoes
