What Are the Key Toxic Substances Regulated by MARPOL?
Several categories of toxic substances are regulated under MARPOL, each addressed in different annexes:
Annex I: Deals with oil pollution and includes regulations to prevent oil spills and manage oily waste. Annex II: Covers noxious liquid substances carried in bulk, addressing the discharge and handling of hazardous chemicals. Annex III: Focuses on the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried in packaged form. Annex IV: Concerns sewage pollution from ships, which can introduce toxic pathogens and nutrients into marine environments. Annex V: Deals with the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships, including plastics and other persistent materials. Annex VI: Regulates air pollution from ships, targeting emissions like sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides that can contribute to ocean acidification and toxicity.
