Annex IV came into force September 2003 . The Annex sets out in detail how sewage should be treated or held onboard and the circumstances in which discharge into the sea may be allowed. It requires Parties to the Convention to provide adequate reception facilities for sewage and contains a model International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate to be issued by national shipping administrations to ships under their jurisdiction. The Annex will apply to vessels engaged in international voyages and on entry into force will have immediate effect on all new ships of 400 gross tonnage and above and ships of less than 400 gross tonnage which are certified to carry more than 15 people.
It will apply to existing vessels in September 2008, i.e. 5 years after it comes into force.
Note: MARPOL 73/78 also defines a ship to include "floating craft and fixed or floating platforms" and these are required where appropriate to comply with the requirements similar to those set out for vessels. Thus for sewage the basic equipment and operational requirements set out for other vessels will apply to offshore installations. |
