Reception Facility

A port reception facility is the onshore capacity for receiving ship-generated wastes that MARPOL obliges governments to provide, so ships can land oily residues, noxious liquid residues, sewage, garbage, and Annex VI residues without discharging at sea. The obligation appears in each annex (Annex I Regulation 38, Annex II Regulation 18, Annex IV Regulation 12, Annex V Regulation 8, Annex VI Regulation 17). The IMO tracks alleged inadequacies through the GISIS Port Reception Facilities module and the MEPC.1/Circ.834 consolidated guidance. A special area’s stricter discharge ban takes legal effect only once the IMO confirms adequate reception facilities are in place.