Annex VI of MARPOL By Siti Asma

Purpose of Annex VI

• ships have become the single biggest source of sulphur dioxide (SO2) within the EU

• US EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) reports similar findings

• aims to reduce emissions from ships through international regulations, which will discourage states from enacting unilateral regulations problematic to the shipping industry

regulates the emission to the atmosphere of specified pollutants from ships:

• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

• Sulphur Oxides (SOx)

• volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

• polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

• heavy metals

• chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

contribute to environmental problems :

• including acidification/acid rain (NOx, SOx),

• eutrophication or oxygen depletion of inland and some coastal waters (NOx)

• the creation of ground level ozone (VOCs and NOx)

• the depletion of atmospheric ozone (CFCs)

• the accumulation of PCBs and heavy metals in the food chain

History and Ratification of Annex VI

• adopted by the 1997 Conference of the Parties to the MARPOL Convention

• entered into force on 19th May 2005

• result of three years examination, MEPC 58 (October 2008) adopted the revised MARPOL Annex VI and the associated NOx Technical Code 2008, which entered into force on 1 July 2010

According to Status of Multilateral Conventions, IMO, 3 May 2011

• there were 65 numbers of contracting states for this Annex VI

• the combined merchant fleets of which constitute approximately 89.82% of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant fleet

• They were 23 EU member states including Norway and Croatia.

• For non–EU parties include; Bahamas, Panama, Liberia, China, Republic of Korea, Marshall Islands, Japan, Singapore, US, Russian Federation.

Application of annex VI • valid International Air Pollution Prevention

Certificate (IAPPC) confirming compliance with both the equipment and operational requirements of Annex VI

• Restricts NOx emissions from diesel engines according to a corresponding technical code and applies to engines with a power output of more than 130 kW

• NOx emission from an engine is closely related to the design of the engine

• Restricts SOx emissions from ships by introducing a maximum sulphur content in marine fuels of 4.5 per cent

• identifies SOx emission control areas (SECA) – maximum 1.5 per cent

• The Baltic Sea is the only area that is defined as a SECA in Annex VI

• States that in ports where there is a need to control the emission of VOCs, there is also a requirement for the ports to ensure appropriate recovery facilities are available

• Prohibits the incineration of certain substances, including; PCBs, garbage containing traces of heavy metals, refined petroleum products containing halogen compounds and residues from MARPOL Annex I, II and III cargoes

• Contains standards regarding the quality documentation requirements for fuel oil. The fuel oil must be free from inorganic oil, is not to include added substances or chemical waste and is not to exceed the sulphur limits of 4.5 per cent or 1.5 per cent