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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Marine Environment Protection Committee - MEPC.1/Circular.810 – Implementation of MARPOL Annex V – (27 June 2013)Adequate port reception facilities for cargoes declared as harmful to the marine environment under MARPOL Annex V -

  1 The Marine Environment Protection Committee (the Committee), at its sixty-fourth session (1 to 5 October 2012), noting the short time between publishing criteria for solid bulk cargoes considered harmful to the marine environment (HME) under the revised MARPOL Annex V and the entry into force of the Annex (on 1 January 2013), and recognizing the difficulties this would cause for shippers to classify cargoes, agreed to issue circular MEPC.1/Circ.791 on Provisional classification of solid bulk cargoes under the revised MARPOL Annex V between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014.

  2 At its sixty-fifth session (13 to 17 May 2013), the Committee acknowledged that, as a result of the difficulties experienced by shippers, consequential problems are being experienced by shipowners and operators in obtaining HME declarations and, when cargoes have been classified as HME, finding adequate reception facilities at receiving terminals.

  3 In light of the above, the Committee agreed that, until 31 December 2015, cargo hold washwater from holds previously containing solid bulk cargoes classified as HME may be discharged outside special areas, providing:

  • .1 based upon the information received from the relevant port authorities, the master determines that there are no adequate reception facilities either at the receiving terminal or at the next port of call;

  • .2 the ship is en route and as far as practicable from the nearest land, but not less than 12 nautical miles;

  • .3 before washing, solid bulk cargo residue is removed (and bagged for discharge ashore) as far as practicable and holds are swept;

  • .4 filters are used in the bilge wells to collect any remaining solid particles and minimize solid residue discharge; and

  • .5 the discharge is recorded in the Garbage Record Book and the flag State is notified utilizing the Revised Consolidated Format for Reporting Alleged Inadequacies of Port Reception Facilities (MEPC.1/Circ.469/Rev.2).

  4 In addition, the Committee urged Parties to MARPOL Annex V to:

  • .1 ensure the provision of adequate facilities at ports and terminals for the reception of solid bulk cargo residues including those contained in washwater;

  • .2 ensure shippers within their jurisdiction provide complete and accurate cargo declarations in accordance with MARPOL Annex V (and circular MEPC.1/Circ.791) and section 4 of the IMSBC Code; and

  • .3 notify the Organization for transmission to the Parties concerned of all cases where the facilities are alleged to be inadequate.

  5 Further, ports and terminals receiving cargoes classified as HME are urged to provide adequate port reception facilities, including for residues contained in washwater. In the absence of such facilities, to minimize residues discharged under paragraph 3, terminals should facilitate the discharge of all solid bulk cargo residues ashore, including hold sweepings.

  6 Member Governments are invited to bring the content of this circular to the attention of those interested, including port State control authorities, coastguard and maritime surveillance services, as appropriate.

Parent topic: MEPC.1/Circular.810 – Implementation of MARPOL Annex V – (27 June 2013)Adequate port reception facilities for cargoes declared as harmful to the marine environment under MARPOL Annex V
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