Provisions concerning the Reporting of Incidents Involving Harmful Substances (KA516E) (eBook)

First published in 1986, this edition includes Article 8 of MARPOL 73/78, Resolution MEPC.21(22), Amendments to Protocol I of MARPOL 73/78, Resolution A.851(20), General Principles for Ship Reporting Systems and Ship Reporting Requirements, including Guidelines for Reporting Incidents Involving Dangerous Goods, Harmful Substances and/or Marine Pollutants and a list of agencies or officials of Administrations responsible for receiving and processing such reports.

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, was adopted by the International Conference on Marine Pollution, convened by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) from 8th November to 2nd December 1973. This Convention was subsequently modified by a Protocol adopted by the International Conference on Tanker Safety and Pollution Prevention, convened from 6th to 17th February 1978. The 1973 Convention, as modified by the 1978 Protocol, is known as MARPOL 73/78.

The MARPOL Convention recognizes that a vessel casualty or an accidental discharge from a ship may give rise to serious pollution or threat of pollution to the marine environment and provides, therefore, that such incidents should be reported without delay and to the fullest extent possible, in order to facilitate necessary counter-pollution actions by coastal States that might be affected.

The mandatory reporting requirements for incidents involving harmful substances are contained in Article 8 of and Protocol I to MARPOL 73/78. These provisions became effective for Contracting Parties on 2nd October 1983, the date on which MARPOL 73/78 entered into force.

This publication contains the texts of the following:

1. Article 8 of MARPOL 73/78;
2. Resolution MEPC.21(22), including amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, Protocol I – Provisions Concerning Reports on Incidents Involving Harmful Substances (in accordance with article 8 of the Convention);
3. Resolution A.851(20).

The list of agencies or officials of Administrations responsible for receiving and processing such reports is now distributed by means of an MEPC 6 circular issued annually and assigned a consecutive number each year. The updated circular can also be found on the IMO website.

Article 8 of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto

Resolution MEPC.21(22) – Adoption of amendments to the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (relating to Protocol I to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto)

Annex – Amendments to the annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973
Protocol I – Provisions Concerning Reports on Incidents Involving Harmful Substances

Resolution A.851(20) – General Principles for Ship Reporting Systems and Ship Reporting Requirements, including Guidelines for Reporting Incidents Involving Dangerous Goods, Harmful Substances and/or Marine Pollutants

A??s a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.

In other words, its role is to create a level playing field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency.

Shipping is a truly international industry, and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis. IMO is the forum at which this process takes place.