On 24-28 October 2016 IMO held its 70th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). Among others the Committee proposed amendments to MARPOL Annex V concerning substances that are harmful to the marine environment (HME) and form of Garbage Record Book (GRB). Amendments adopted at MEPC. 70 mandate that solid bulk cargoes, shall be classified in accordance with the criteria specified in the 2012 Guidelines for the implementation of MARPOL Annex V MEPC. 219(63) and the declaration provided by the shipper as to whether or not they are harmful to the marine environment.
New requirements
The amendments that were adopted by Resolution MEPC.277(70) will entry into force in 1st March 2018 and include the following:
- Amendments to Regulation 4 and 6 of the Annex V of the MARPOL Convention (garbage discharge provisions) providing criteria for the classification of solid bulk cargoes as harmful to the marine environment by adding the appendix to this Annex.
- Form of Garbage Record Book (GRB) improved in order to distinguish the information on delivery/discharge to Port Reception Facilities of cargo residues. The main change is that the Record of Garbage Discharges is divided into Part I and Part II. Part I will be for the use of all ships and Part II will be only required for ships that carry solid bulk cargoes.
- New category of garbage “e-waste” is included in form of GRB. E-waste is defined as any electronic equipment, including its components, sub-assemblies and consumables, when disposed of as a waste.
- Additional table introduced in Part I of the form of GRB to ensure the records on exceptional discharges or loss of garbage under Regulation 7 are kept.
- Alignment of the Regulation 10 of the Annex V to amended form of GRB.
In addition to the amendments listed above the consequential changes to the “standard format of the advance notification form for waste delivery to port reception facilities” related to new category of garbage “e-waste” were prepared. Revised MEPC Circular (MEPC.1/Circ.834) will be issued following the entry into force of the amendments to MARPOL Annex V.
Actions required
Ship managers in order to be in line with Revised MARPOL Annex V Garbage Requirements should have an effective updated Garbage Management Plan & Record Book on board managed vessel. Furthermore, they should instruct their crews to mark the new Garbage Types on board regarding the “E-Waste” and “Cargo Residues” which must be specified whether or not they are harmful to the marine environment (HME or non-HME). Additional special training sessions to be conducted on board in order to familiarize personnel with updated requirements.
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