The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of Ships, 1973 was adopted in 1973.

This
Convention was subsequently modified by the Protocol 1978 relating thereto, which was adopted in 1978. The
Protocol introduced stricter regulations for the survey and certification of ships. It is to be read as one
instrument and is usually referred to as MARPOL 73/78.
Annex I. MARPOL Annex I deals with discharge of oil into the ocean environment. It specifies tanker design
features that are intended to minimize oil discharge into the ocean during ship operations and in case of
accidents. It provides regulations with regard to treatment of engine room bilge water for all large commercial
vessels and ballast and tank cleaning waste. It also introduces the concept of "special sea areas " which are
considered to be at risk to pollution by oil. Discharge of oil within them has been completely outlawed, with a
few minimal exceptions. The Oil Record Book is another integral part of MARPOL Annex I. The Oil Record
Book helps crew members log and keep track of oily waste water discharges among other things.
Annex II. MARPOL Annex II details the discharge criteria for the elimination of pollution by noxious liquid
substances carried in large quantities. It divides substances into and introduces detailed operational standards
and measures. The discharge of pollutants is allowed only to reception facilities with certain concentrations and
conditions. No matter what, no discharge of residues containing pollutants is permitted within 12 miles of the
nearest land. Stricter restrictions apply to "special areas". Annex II covers the International Bulk Chemical
Code in conjunction with Chapter 7 of the SOLAS Convention.
Annex III. MARPOL Annex III contains general requirements for the standards on packing, marking, labeling,
documentation, stowage, quantity subtraction, division and notifications for preventing pollution by harmful
substances. The Annex is in line with the procedures detailed in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods
(IMDG) Code, which has been expanded to include marine pollutants.
Annex IV. Marpol Annex IV introduces requirements to control pollution of the sea by sewage from ships. It is
generally considered that on the high seas, the oceans are capable of assimilating and dealing with raw sewage
through natural bacterial action. Therefore, the regulations in Annex IV of MARPOL prohibit the discharge of
sewage into the sea within a specified distance from the nearest land, unless otherwise provided. When the
sewage is mixed with wastes or waste water covered by other Annexes of MARPOL 73/78, the requirements of
those Annexes shall be complied with in addition to the requirements of this Annex.
Annex V. MARPOL Annex V (Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships) specifies
the distances from land in which materials may be disposed of and subdivides different types of garbage and
marine debris. The requirements are much stricter in a number of "special areas" but perhaps the most
prominent part of the Annex is the complete ban of dumping plastic into the ocean.
Annex VI. MARPOL Annex VI introduces requirements to regulate the air pollution being emitted by ships,
including the emission of ozone-depleting substances, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulphur Oxides (SOx), Volatile
Organic Compounds (VOCs) and shipboard incineration. It also establishes requirements for reception facilities
for wastes from exhaust gas cleaning systems, incinerators, fuel oil quality, for off-shore platforms and drilling
rigs and for the establishment of SOx Emission Control Areas (SECAs).