PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
ON TRANSPORT
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON PREVENTION
OF POLLUTION FROM SHIPS
MARPOL 73/78
MR MAWETHU VILANA
ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL
29 JULY 2014
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CONTENTS
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Background on Marpol
Overview of the Convention
Annex iv
Annex vi
Obligations
Current Legislative Framework
Consultations
Other Implications
Recommendations
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BACKGROUND OF MARPOL 73/78
• Marpol 73/78 was adopted under the auspices of International
Maritime Organisation (IMO ) a UN specialised agency that deals
with maritime security, safety and marine environment protection
• Its stated objective is to “ preserve the marine environment through
the complete elimination of pollution by oil and other harmful
substances and minimasation of accidental discharge of such
substances”
• SA acceded to Marpol 73/78 in 1984 and is party to all other
annexes except annex iv and vi to complete the Marpol 73/78
annexures.
OVERVIEW MARPOL 73/78
• The convention is divided into six annexures:
• Annex I: Regulations for the prevention of pollution by oil
• Annex II: Regulation for the control of pollution by noxious liquid substance
in bulk
• Annex III: Regulation for the prevention of pollution by harmful substances
carried in a packaged form
• Annex IV: Regulation for Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships
• Annex V: Regulation for the control of pollution by garbage from Ships
• Annex VI: Regulation from prevention of Air pollution from Ships
ANNEX IV DISCHARGE OF SEWAGE FROM SHIPS
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“Sewage” Sewage" means: drainage and other wastes from any form of toilets and
urinals; drainage from medical premises (dispensary, sick bay, etc.) via wash basins,
wash tubs and scuppers located in such premises; drainage from spaces containing
living animals; or other waste waters.
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Annex iv deals with discharge of sewage into the sea, ships equipment and systems
for the control of sewage discharge, the provision of facilities at ports terminals for
the reception of sewage, and requirements for survey and certification
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It is estimated that large ships that carry 500,000 passengers can discharge about
100,000 litres of sewage per day.
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The environmental problems associated with sewage from ships include the
introduction of nutrients causing algal blooms and reduced oxygen levels which can
pose a serious health risk to people who come into contact with polluted water
during recreational activities.
ANNEX VI PREVENTION OF POLLUTION BY AIR FROM SHIPS
• Annex vi sets the limits on sulphur oxide (Sox) and nitrogen
oxide (Nox) emissions from ships exhaust system
• It also prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone depleting
substances
• The Annex further allows for an Emission Control Area to be
designated for sulphur oxide (Sox) and nitrogen oxide (Nox),
and other types of greenhouse emissions from ships
• In general Annex vi applies to all ships of 400 Gross Tonnage
and above and to all fixed and floating drifting rigs and other
platforms
ANNEX VI PREVENTION OF POLLUTION BY AIR FROM SHIPS
• Annexure Vi consists of a set of requirements for survey and issuance of
International Air Pollution Certificate and regulations regarding:
o Ozone depleting substances from regulating plants' and fire fighting
equipment
o Nitrogen ( Nox) from diesel engines
o Sulphur Oxides (Sox) from diesel engine
o Volatile organic compound Emissions from cargo tankers of oil tankers
o Shipboard Incantations
CURRENT LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
• Currently in SA the discharge of sewage from commercial vessels is one of
the few areas related to shipping where there are currently no enforceable
international standards
• Marine Pollution Prevention Act is the current legislation that regulates
marine pollution
• SAMSA have the right to enforce the legislation
OBLIGATIONS AS PER THE CONVENTION
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Flag State: The country where a ship is registered is responsible for certifying the ships
compliance with Marpol Prevention standards
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Coastal State: South Africa as a signatory nation is responsible for enacting domestic
legislation to implement the Convention and effectively pledges to comply with the
convention, annex and related laws of other nations
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Administration: Administration should undertake surveys when conducting Port State
Control to request a certificate of compliance
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The Government of each Party to the Convention, which requires ships operating waters
under its jurisdiction and visiting ships while in its waters to comply with the
requirements of regulation of the Convention undertakes to ensure provision of facilities
at ports and terminals of the reception of sewage without causing delay to ships,
adequate to meet the needs of the ship using them.
OBLIGATIONS TO SOUTH AFRICA
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Under the convention SA has to main responsibilities:
 To ensure that its vessels comply with the technical standards set by MARPOL 73/78
 To ensure that periodic survey and inspections of vessels are carried out
 To issue certificates of compliance to annex iv and vi requirements
CONSULTATIONS
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South African Maritime Authority (SAMSA), ASABOSA-ASL, South African Petroleum
Industry, Transnet Ports Authority; Department of Environmental Affairs
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All the stakeholders support the accession to Annex IV and VI
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The Chief State Law Advisers from DIRCO and Department of Justice scrutinised the
Annexures and have confirmed that Annex IV and VI are consistent with the domestic
and international laws
OTHER IMPLICATIONS
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Financial implications: Convention will not have any additional financial to the State.
Communication implications: The State will deposit the instrument of accession with
Secretary-General IMO after parliamentary approval.
Security Implications: will not have any security implications
Implementation Plan
– the survey of ships is the function currently carried out by SAMSA a
– The Transnet Ports Authority is responsible to ensure adequate reception
facilities and carry out periodic survey
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Parliamentary Procedure: The convention will be dealt in accordance with the
provisions of Section 231 (2) and Parliamentary approval will be sought thereto.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that the Portfolio Committee
on Transport :
• Notes South Africa’s intention to accede to
MARPOL Annexure IV and VI
• Approves submission of MARPOL Annexure IV
and VI for tabling in Parliament.
THE END