Preventation of population by garbage for ships

1. Discharge Criteria

There is a general obligation to prevent pollution of the sea by garbage. Discharge of all types of garbage into the sea is prohibited unless expressly provided otherwise.

• Outside special areas: Discharge is permitted while the ship is en route and as far as practicable from the nearest land, but in any case not less than 3 nautical miles for comminuted food wastes, 12 nautical miles for other food wastes, and 12 nautical miles for cargo residues, cleaning agents, and additives.
• Within special areas: Discharge is permitted while the ship is en route and as far as practicable from the nearest land or ice shelf, but in any case not less than 12 nautical miles for food wastes, and 12 nautical miles for cargo residues, cleaning agents, and additives under specific conditions.
• Animal carcasses: Discharge should occur as far from the nearest land as possible, taking into account the 2012 Guidelines for the implementation of MARPOL Annex V.

2. Placards, Garbage Management Plan, and Garbage Record Book

Every ship of 12 meters or more in length overall and fixed and floating platforms engaged in exploration and exploitation of the sea-bed shall display placards notifying the crew and passengers of applicable disposal requirements.

Every ship of 100 gross tonnage and above and every ship which is certified to carry 15 persons or more and fixed and floating platforms engaged in exploration and exploitation of the sea-bed shall carry a garbage management plan.

Every ship of 400 gross tonnage and above and every ship which is certified to carry 15 persons or more engaged in voyage to ports or offshore terminal and every fixed and floating platform engaged in exploration and exploitation of the sea-bed shall be provided with a Garbage Record Book.