The revised MARPOL Annex V

Annex V Garbage 


The revised MARPOL Annex V Regulations 
for the prevention of pollution by garbage 
from ships has entered into force, following 
a comprehensive review to bring the Annex 
up to date. 

The main feature of the revision is the 
prohibition of the discharge of all garbage 
into the sea, except as expressly provided 
otherwise in the Annex. 

The discharges 
permitted in certain circumstances include 
food wastes, animal carcasses, cargo 
residues, and water containing cleaning 
agents or additives used for washing deck 
and external surfaces or cargo holds. 
Cargo residues and cleaning agents 
and additives must only be considered 
for discharge if they are not harmful to the 
marine environment. 

The changes also 
include the updating of defi nitions; the 
introduction of an “en route” requirement for 
the discharge of garbage at sea; and the 
regrouping of the garbage categories for the 
purpose of the garbage record book.