MARPOL summary reports and analysis of mandatory reports

The International Maritime Organization has published a circular containing summary reports and analysis of mandatory reports under MARPOL for the period 2016 to 2021.

This circular (MEPC.1/Circ.904) was published on April 17th, 2023.

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), at its sixty-seventh session, endorsed a request of the Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III), at its first session, to issue an annual circular on mandatory reports under MARPOL covering:

.1 part 1(a): Discharges of 50 tonnes or more;
.2 part 1(b): Discharges of less than 50 tonnes;
.3 part 2: Annual enforcement report on alleged discharge violations; and
.4 part 4: Annual statistic reports for the year,

of the formats for a mandatory reporting system under MARPOL, as set out in MEPC/Circ.318.

This circular is based on mandatory reports received by the Organization in accordance with MEPC.1/Circ.318 for the year 2021, submitted by Parties to MARPOL.

Based on the information received, an analysis of the 2021 reports is set out in Annex 1.

A summary covering the period 2016 to 2021 is set out in Annex 2, updating the information contained in the previous circular, covering the period 2015 to 2020 (MEPC.1/Circ.903).

The information contained in the report is designed to facilitate the exchange of information between Parties and is used by the Organization to assess the effectiveness of the application of MARPOL, as well as for statistical purposes.

Parties to MARPOL are reminded to submit their annual reports for a particular year to the Secretariat using the reporting format set out in MEPC/Circ.318 by 31 December of the next calendar year, as specified in MEPC.1/Circ.874/Rev.1.

Nil returns are required from Parties for each reporting requirement from the perspective of port, coastal or flag States.

Mandatory reports under MARPOL, as well as any queries on the management of
the data contained in the annual circular should be submitted to the Secretariat by post or by email to:

Marine Environment Division
International Maritime Organization
4 Albert Embankment
London, SE1 7SR
United Kingdom
Email: med@imo.org

Notwithstanding the above, Parties to MARPOL are urged to provide and/or update their respective contact details in the Port Reception Facilities module of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS), to ensure notification of port States by flag States reporting on alleged inadequacies in accordance with the procedures set out in the Consolidated guidance for port reception facility providers and users (MEPC.1/Circ.834/Rev.1).