Posted:
January 14, 2013
New regulations through the International Maritime Organization took effect at the beginning of 2013. Summaries of some of the key changes are included. More information is available on the IMO website and via the links below.
SOLAS - lifeboat release mechanisms
Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) include the addition of a new paragraph five to SOLAS regulation III/1 requiring the replacement of lifeboat on-load release mechanisms that do not comply with the requirements of the International Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code. Non-conforming equipment will need to be replaced no later than the first scheduled dry-docking of a vessel after July 1, 2014, and no later than July 1, 2019.
More information on these amendments is available online.
Annex VI - emissions
Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI designate waters adjacent to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as the U.S. Caribbean Sea Emission Control Area, pertaining to emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and particulate matter under regulations 13 and 14. The U.S. Caribbean Sea ECA takes effect Jan. 1, 2014.
A separate amendment exempts certain steamships from the requirements for sulfur content of fuel oil in both the North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea Emission Control Areas.
More information on the amended Annex VI, Annex V and Annex IV is available online.
Annex IV - sewage
The amended MARPOL Annex IV for the prevention of pollution by sewage by ships includes the designation of the Baltic Sea as a "special area" under Annex IV, the possible designation of additional special areas, and stricter discharge requirements for passenger vessels operating in a special area.
Annex V - garbage
The amended MARPOL Annex V regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships include a prohibition on the discharge of all garbage into the sea unless expressly permitted. Under certain circumstances, discharges permitted under Annex V include food wastes, animal carcasses, cargo residues and water containing cleaning agents or additives used for washing deck and external surfaces or cargo holds. Only cargo residues and cleaning agents and additives that are not harmful to the marine environment can be considered for discharge.
The amended Annex V also includes updated definitions, reorganization of categories of garbage for a vessel's garbage record book and an "en route" requirement for the discharge of garbage at sea.
Amendments to international maritime regulations now in effect
New regulations through the International Maritime Organization took effect at the beginning of 2013. Summaries of some of the key changes are included. More information is available on the IMO website and via the links below.
SOLAS - lifeboat release mechanisms
Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) include the addition of a new paragraph five to SOLAS regulation III/1 requiring the replacement of lifeboat on-load release mechanisms that do not comply with the requirements of the International Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code. Non-conforming equipment will need to be replaced no later than the first scheduled dry-docking of a vessel after July 1, 2014, and no later than July 1, 2019.
More information on these amendments is available online.
Annex VI - emissions
Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI designate waters adjacent to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as the U.S. Caribbean Sea Emission Control Area, pertaining to emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and particulate matter under regulations 13 and 14. The U.S. Caribbean Sea ECA takes effect Jan. 1, 2014.
A separate amendment exempts certain steamships from the requirements for sulfur content of fuel oil in both the North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea Emission Control Areas.
More information on the amended Annex VI, Annex V and Annex IV is available online.
Annex IV - sewage
The amended MARPOL Annex IV for the prevention of pollution by sewage by ships includes the designation of the Baltic Sea as a "special area" under Annex IV, the possible designation of additional special areas, and stricter discharge requirements for passenger vessels operating in a special area.
Annex V - garbage
The amended MARPOL Annex V regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships include a prohibition on the discharge of all garbage into the sea unless expressly permitted. Under certain circumstances, discharges permitted under Annex V include food wastes, animal carcasses, cargo residues and water containing cleaning agents or additives used for washing deck and external surfaces or cargo holds. Only cargo residues and cleaning agents and additives that are not harmful to the marine environment can be considered for discharge.
The amended Annex V also includes updated definitions, reorganization of categories of garbage for a vessel's garbage record book and an "en route" requirement for the discharge of garbage at sea.