Protocol of 1978

The Protocol of 1978 relating to the 1973 MARPOL Convention was adopted at the IMO International Conference on Tanker Safety and Pollution Prevention in February 1978, called after a series of tanker casualties in 1976 and 1977. Because MARPOL 1973 had not yet entered force, the 1978 Protocol absorbed the parent convention, and the combined instrument is read as MARPOL 73/78. It made Annex I (oil) and Annex II (noxious liquid substances) the basis of entry into force, with Annex II compliance deferred, and added requirements such as segregated ballast tanks on new crude tankers. MARPOL 73/78 entered into force on 2 October 1983 for Annexes I and II.