New Garbage Requirements come into effect – what are they?

Overview

With effect from 1 March 2018, MARPOL Annex V and the related guidelines were amended to effect changes relating to substances that are harmful to the marine environment and form of garbage record book.

MARPOL Annex V dealing with garbage requirements has been revised along with the guidelines for the implementation of MARPOL Annex V ( the “Guidelines”).

These changes came about as a result of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopting the amendments to MARPOL Annex V and the Guidelines via IMO resolution MEPC 277 (70) and resolution MEPC.295 (71) respectively.  The amendments relate to substances that are harmful to the marine environment (HME) and Form of garbage record book.

What are the main amendments?

-To MARPOL Annex V

  1. Classification and declaration of HME substances made mandatory

Previously the classification of solid bulk cargoes other than grains, as substances that are HME and declaration by the shipper whether it is HME or not were in the Guidelines. Now they have been taken out of the 2012 Guidelines and made mandatory under MARPOL Annex V. As a result, the criteria for the classification of solid bulk cargoes as HME are now set out as a new Appendix I of the MARPOL Annex V.  The definition of solid bulk cargoes as outlined under SOLAS Reg VI/1-1.2 was also added to MARPOL Annex V so now there is the linkage between MARPOL and SOLAS/the IMSBC Code.

2. Garbage record book - form changed 

The new form of garbage book is regrouped into two parts now : Part I and Part II. Part I contains the same categories as in the previous form with the addition of a new category “e-waste” and “cargo residues” being taken out to fall under the new Part II.

The new format will appear as follows:

Part I

A Plastics
B Food wastes
C Domestic wastes
D Cooking oil
E Incinerator ashes
F Operational wastes
G Animal carcasses
H Fishing gear
I E-waste

Part II

J Cargo residues (non-HME)
K Cargo residues (HME)"

3. Garbage record book – recording of garbage discharges changed

The recording format of garbage discharges has also split into two parts Part I and Part II  to align itself with the change of the format as mentioned above.

-to the MARPOL Annex V Guidelines 

1. Definition of e-waster introduced into the 2017 Guidelines

2. Addition of the Polar Code discharge requirements

The MARPOL amendments came into effect 1st March 2018 and the 2017 MARPOL Annex V guidelines supersedes the 2012 guidelines.

Members are to take note of the above changes and ensure that the garbage record book, garbage management plan and placards are revised accordingly to comply with the above amendments.

 

Download RELATED Documents

  • Download Icon

    Resolution MEPC.295(71) - 2017 Guidelines for the Implementation of MARPOL Annex V 0.3 MB

    Download now
  • Download Icon

    Resolution MEPC.277 (70) - Amendments to MARPOL Annex V ( HME substances and Form of Garbage Record Book) 0.1 MB

    Download now
Ai Cheng Foo-Nielsen
in Copenhagen, DK

Coronavirus

Access BIMCO's COVID-19 related articles and advice.

Read more

VPS Bunker Alerts

Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) publish regular Bunker Alerts based entirely on fuel samples and have kindly permitted BIMCO’s Members to access this information.

The Bunker Alerts are not intended to be an evaluation of overall bunker quality in the port or area concerned, but usually highlight a specific parameter within the fuel which has raised a quality issue.

Latest piracy reports

 

Latest industry releasable threats

 
 

ELSEWHERE ON BIMCO

Contracts & Clauses

All of BIMCO's most widely used contracts and clauses as well as advice on managing charters and business partners.

Learn about your cargo

For general guidance and information on cargo-related queries.

More about cargo

BIMCO Publications

Want to buy or download a BIMCO publication? Use the link to get access to the ballast water management guide, the ship master’s security manual and many other publications.

About a new business partner

We can help members check new business partners. We also help to recover millions of USD (undisputed) funds every year.