Theme of world environment day of 2021 is Ecosystem Restoration, hosted by Pakistan on 5^th June.  See details at UN Decade on Restoration.

On this occasion let us look at the important points for prevention of Marine Pollution from harmful substances in packaged form.

Annex III of The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78) lays down the mandatory regulations for carriage of harmful substances in packaged form. Annex III entered into force from 1^st July 1992.

Highlights of MARPOL Annex III

• Harmful substances are those identified as marine pollutants in IMDG Code or meet the criteria of appendix to MARPOL Annex III
• Packaged form means the forms of containment specified for marine pollutants in the IMDG Code.
• The carriage of marine pollutants is prohibited, except in accordance with the provisions of IMDG Code.
• Packages must be adequate to minimize the hazard to the marine environment, having regard to their specific contents.
• Packages containing marine pollutants must be durably marked according to IMDG Code
• Dangerous Goods Declaration must mention “MARINE POLLUTANT”
• Each ship carrying harmful substances shall have a special list, manifest or stowage plan as per IMDG Code together with the location onboard ship.
• Marine pollutants must be properly stowed and secured so as to minimize the hazards to the marine environment without impairing the safety of the ship and persons on board.
• Jettisoning of harmful substances carried in packaged form shall be prohibited, except where necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of the ship or saving life at sea.

Identification of Marine Pollutants

IMDG Code identifies marine pollutants with symbol “P” in column 4 of dangerous goods list in chapter 3.2 and in alphabetical index. The absence of the symbol P or the presence of a “–” in that column does not preclude the application of classification or marine pollutants.

Package marking

Every package containing marine pollutant must bear the marine pollutant mark (IMDG Code 5.2.1.6).

Dangerous Goods Declaration

Dangerous goods declaration must identify the goods as “MARINE POLLUTANT”. The term “MARINE POLLUTANT” may be supplemented with the term “ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS” (IMDG Code 5.4.1.4.3.5).

CTU Marking

Cargo transport units or bulk containers containing marine pollutants shall clearly display the marine pollutant mark (IMDG Code 5.3.2.3.1)

Stowage on board ships

Where stowage is permitted on deck or under deck, under deck stowage is preferred. Where stowage on deck only is required, preference shall be given to stowage on well-protected decks or to stowage inboard in sheltered areas of exposed decks (IMDG Code 7.1.4.2).

Exemptions

Marine pollutants packaged in single or combination packagings containing a net quantity per single or inner packaging of 5 L or less for liquids or having a net mass per single or inner packaging of 5 kg or less for solids are not subject to any other provisions of this Code relevant to marine pollutants provided the packagings meet the general provisions of IMDG Code (IMDG Code 2.10.2.7).

Port State Inspection

Where there are clear grounds for believing that the master or crew are not familiar with essential shipboard procedures relating to the prevention of pollution by harmful substances, the Party shall take such steps, including carrying out detailed inspection and, if required, will ensure that the ship shall not sail until the situation has been brought to order in accordance with the requirements of this Annex (MARPOL Annex III 9.2).

Reporting

When an incident takes place involving the loss or likely loss overboard of dangerous goods in packaged form into the sea, the master, or other person having charge of the ship, shall report the particulars of such an incident without delay and to the fullest extent possible to the nearest coastal State in accordance with General principles for ship reporting systems and ship reporting requirements, including Guidelines for reporting incidents involving dangerous goods, harmful substances and/or marine pollutants (IMO resolution A.851(20).

Training

All the shoreside personnel involved in transport of marine pollutants by sea must receive initial and recurrent training as per IMDG Code chapter 1.3 (IMDG Code 1.3.1.1).