MARPOL 73/78

Overview

MARPOL 73/78 (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) is the international treaty regulating disposal of wastes generated by normal operation of vessels

MARPOL 73/78 is implemented in the U.S. by the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, under the lead of the U.S. Coast Guard

161 countries are parties as of December 2001.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London performs Secretariat functions. Mailing address:

4 Albert Embankment
London SE1 75R
United Kingdom

Within IMO, environmental issues are responsibility of Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC)

Structure

Treaty consists of 20 Articles and 5 Annexes. A 1978 protocol contains modifications to the original 1973 treaty text. MARPOL (Article 14) provides that Annexes I and II are mandatory on parties to the treaty vs. Annexes III, IV, and V, which are optional annexes and not binding unless the party has specifically accepted those Annexes. Annex subject matters and status are as follows:

International Maritime Organization

Contact information:
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
Oceans and Coastal Protection Division
202/566-1200

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