Members are referred to the circular No. 13-009 dated 3 September 2013 on the discharge of cargo residues into the sea under Marpol Annex V.

The revised Marpol Annex V, which came into force on 1 January 2013, designates some areas as special areas to be considered to have more sensitive ecosystems than others and imposes tougher conditions for the discharge of food waste from ships in those areas. Ships within the special areas are only permitted to discharge food waste capable of passing through a screen with an opening no greater than 25mm and which has been passed through a comminuter or grinder. Ships are not allowed to discharge food waste which has not been comminuted or ground.

According to the attached “Maritime Safety Information Bulletin” recently issued by the U.S Coast Guard, there has been an increase in the number of violations of the Marpol Annex V, Regulation 6 requirements to comminute food waste prior to discharge in the Gulf of Mexico, which is one of the special areas. In many cases, the vessels have an updated Garbage Management Plan on board and posters which provide notification of the new provisions of Marpol Annex V. However, the ships’ crews are not fully aware of the obligations of the Marpol Annex V and have not been complying with the Garbage Management Plan, resulting in the violations of the regulations.

Members are advised to ensure their crews fully understand the contents of Marpol Annex V and strictly comply with the Garbage Management Plan so that unnecessary fines or detentions can be avoided.