Antarctic Special Area

The Antarctic area south of latitude 60 degrees S is a MARPOL special area under Annex I (oil), Annex II (noxious liquid substances), and Annex V (garbage). Within it, discharge of oil and oily mixtures is prohibited, and Annex I Regulation 38 plus the Polar Code bar the carriage and use of heavy grade oil. Annex V prohibits all garbage discharge into the sea. The Antarctic Treaty 1959 and its 1991 Environmental Protocol reinforce these controls. The IMO Polar Code, mandatory from 1 January 2017, adds further discharge restrictions for ships operating in Antarctic waters.