Notice to Ship-owners, Ship Operators, Managers, Masters,

Owners’ Representatives and Recognized Organizations

The Directorate would like to remind all concerned to the entry into force on 1 March 2018, of the latest amendments to MARPOL Annex V adopted through Resolution MEPC.277 (70).

Attention is also drawn to Resolution MEPC.295 (71) containing the revised Guidelines for the Implementation of MARPOL Annex V.

By 1 March 2018, vessels are required to implement the changes associated with the handling procedures, management and record keeping of garbage onboard. These include;

  1. Solid bulk cargoes other than grain shall be classified in accordance with Appendix I of MEPC.277 (70), and declared by the shipper as to whether or not they are Harmful to the Marine Environment (HME).
  2. Amended form (including amendment of garbage category for the purpose of recording- e waste has been included such as electronic cards, gadgets, instruments, equipment, computers, printer cartridges, etc) of Garbage Record Book has to be kept onboard and entries shall be made in the amended form.
  3. Garbage is to be handled taking into account amended garbage category.

Ship-owners/managers are encouraged to order new format Garbage Record Books at the earliest opportunity to ensure that the correct format is on board and to voluntarily use the new format prior to 1 March 2018. There is no objection to the use of Garbage Record Books issued by suppliers and other Administrations, provided that they are in the format specified in MARPOL Annex V, Appendix I, as amended.

In addition to the above, there are also consequential changes to the standard format of the advance notification form for waste delivery to port reception facilities. The new category of waste “e-waste” is to be included. The revised MEPC Circular (Appendix 2 of MEPC.1/Circ.834 Consolidated Guidance for Port Reception Facility Providers and Users) will be issued following the entry into force of the amendments to MARPOL Annex V after 1 March 2018.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.