Guidelines for exemption from compliance with the requirements Annex IV of MARPOL, 73/78, for ships registered under Merchant shipping Act, 1958, operating in Indian coast.

1. Exemption Criteria

Ship owners/operators seeking exemption/extension from Annex IV of MARPOL 73/78 must follow these criteria:

• Feasibility Study: Approach Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) for a feasibility study towards installing a compatible sewage holding tank.
• Installation: If a tank is required, install it during the first scheduled dry-dock or as indicated in the feasibility report, with proof of capacity computation.
• Waiver Consideration: If the feasibility report indicates impracticality, a waiver may be considered for existing ships, but not for new ships.
• Discharge Restrictions: Vessels with waivers must discharge sewage only when more than 12 NM from land and en-route at not less than 4 knots. Use portable toilets within 12 NM.
• Near-Coast Restrictions: Vessels not going beyond 12 NM must enforce the same restrictions within 3 NM from the nearest land.