Extended Operational and Trade Vocabulary

MARPOL 73/78: Annex-by-Annex Detailed Glossary glossary

Terminology drawn annex-by-annex from MARPOL 73/78: the convention’s adoption and protocol dates, accidental-discharge exemptions and oil-discharge limits under Annex I, the noxious-liquid-substance regime of Annex II and the IBC and BCH Codes, the Annex V garbage categories, and the air-pollution provisions of Annex VI with their entry-into-force dates.

237 defined terms.

A

Accidental Discharge (Annex I): An unintentional release of oil or oily mixture from a ship, exempted from the discharge prohibitions of Annex I Reg 4 only where all reasonable precautions were taken after the casualty.
Adoption Date (MARPOL): The date the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships was adopted, namely 2 November 1973, later modified by the Protocol of 17 February 1978.
Air Pollution Annex: The colloquial reference to MARPOL Annex VI, which entered into force on 19 May 2005 and was comprehensively revised with entry into force on 1 July 2010.
Animal Carcasses (Category G): The Annex V garbage category covering bodies of livestock or other animals that died during carriage, prohibited from discharge inside special areas under regulation 6.
Annex I: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil.
Annex II: Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk.
Annex III: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances in Packaged Form.
Annex IV: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships.
Annex V: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships.
Annex VI: Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships.
Antarctic Area (Annex I and V Special Area): The sea area south of latitude 60 degrees South, designated a special area under Annex I from 17 March 1992 and under Annex V from 17 March 1992.
Approved Equivalent (Reg 4 Annex I): A fitting, material, appliance, or apparatus accepted by the flag Administration as at least as effective as the prescribed Annex I requirement.
Arctic Waters (Annex I considerations): Polar waters covered by the Polar Code, where Annex I and IV special discharge restrictions are reinforced under SOLAS Chapter XIV.
Article 4 (Reception Facilities): The MARPOL convention article obliging Parties to ensure provision of adequate port reception facilities for residues from each Annex.
Attained Annual Operational CII (Reg 28): The actually achieved Carbon Intensity Indicator of a ship for a calendar year, reported and rated under MARPOL Annex VI from 1 January 2023.
Attained EEDI (Reg 20 Annex VI): The energy efficiency design index value actually achieved by a new ship as calculated and verified under MARPOL Annex VI Reg 20.

B

Baltic Sea NOx ECA (Reg 13.6 Annex VI): The Baltic Tier III NOx Emission Control Area, applicable to ships built on or after 1 January 2021.
Baltic Sea SOx ECA (Reg 14.3 Annex VI): The first sulphur Emission Control Area, in effect from 19 May 2006.
Baltic Sea Special Area (Annex I): The sea area east of latitude defined in Reg 1, designated as a special area for oil under Annex I from 2 October 1983.
Baltic Sea Special Area (Annex IV): The sewage special area in the Baltic, operationally effective for passenger ships in stages from 1 June 2019 for new passenger ships and 1 June 2021 for existing passenger ships.
Baltic Sea Special Area (Annex V): The Baltic garbage special area, in effect from 1 October 1989.
BCH Code: Bulk Chemical Code, the predecessor instrument to the IBC Code applying to chemical tankers constructed before 1 July 1986.
BDN (Bunker Delivery Note): Mandatory document under MARPOL Annex VI Reg 18 listing fuel particulars, retained on board for three years.
Black Sea Special Area (Annex I): A designated oil special area effective from 2 October 1983.
Black Sea Special Area (Annex V): A designated garbage special area, with discharge restrictions effective from 31 December 1988 in principle and operational once reception facilities were notified.
Bonifacio Strait PSSA: The Particularly Sensitive Sea Area between Corsica and Sardinia, designated by MEPC.204(62) in 2011.
Bunker Sample (Reg 18 Annex VI): The MARPOL-delivered representative sample of fuel oil sealed at the bunker manifold, retained on board until the fuel is substantially consumed and in any case for at least 12 months.

C

Canary Islands PSSA: A Particularly Sensitive Sea Area designated by IMO Resolution MEPC.134(53) in 2005, protecting cetacean habitats.
Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII): Operational indicator under MARPOL Annex VI Chapter 4.
Cargo Residues (Category J Annex V): Garbage category for cargo residues not classified as harmful to the marine environment, with discharge conditions in Reg 6.
Cargo Residues HME (Category K Annex V): Garbage category for cargo residues classified as harmful to the marine environment under the criteria of Annex V, discharge prohibited.
CAS (Condition Assessment Scheme): The IMO scheme for category 2 and 3 oil tankers over 15 years old, with CAS Statement of Compliance frequently checked by vetting.
CBT (Clean Ballast Tanks): A tank arrangement under MARPOL Annex I Reg 18 in which dedicated cargo tanks are used only for ballast and have a separately installed monitoring system, accepted as an alternative to SBT for…
Centre Tank (Reg 1 Annex I): A cargo tank inboard of a longitudinal bulkhead, defined in Reg 1.10 of Annex I for use in tank size and arrangement calculations.
Chapter 17 IBC Code: The summary of minimum requirements list of products allowed to be carried in chemical tankers under MARPOL Annex II.
Chapter 18 IBC Code: The list of products to which the IBC Code does not apply or that are not considered to fall within its categories.
Clean Ballast (Reg 1 Annex I): Ballast water in a tank that, since oil was last carried, has been so cleaned that effluent would not produce a visible sheen or PPM exceeding 15 ppm when discharged from a stationary ship.
Clean Ballast Tank, Dedicated: See CBT, dedicated tanks used only for ballast with a separate piping system.
Coastal State (MARPOL): A state in whose territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, or other zone an Annex contravention is alleged, with port and coastal jurisdiction under Article 4.2.
Combination Carrier (Reg 1 Annex I): A ship designed to carry both oil and solid cargoes in bulk, subject to Annex I tanker provisions when carrying oil.
Competent Authority (Annex IV): The authority of a State Party designated to approve sewage treatment plants under MEPC.227(64) standards.
Compulsory Reception Facilities (Article 4): The convention obligation on Port States to provide adequate reception facilities for ship-generated waste from each MARPOL Annex.
COW (Crude Oil Washing): The Annex I Reg 33 technique of using crude oil during discharge to wash cargo tanks, reducing sludge and oily residues, mandatory for new crude carriers of 20,000 DWT and above.
COW Operations and Equipment Manual: The manual required under Reg 35 of Annex I, approved by the Administration, detailing COW procedures, inspections, and equipment.
Cuban Archipelagos PSSA: A Particularly Sensitive Sea Area designated by IMO in 1997 covering southwest coastal areas of Cuba.

D

Data Collection System (DCS): Required under MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 27.
Designated Person (SOPEP): The shipboard person identified in the SOPEP under Annex I Reg 37 as responsible for activating the plan in an oil pollution incident.
Discharge (Reg 1 Annex I): Any release however caused from a ship of substances regulated by MARPOL, including escape, disposal, spilling, leaking, pumping, emitting, or emptying.
Discharge Monitoring and Control System: See ODMCS, the required system under Reg 31 of Annex I for tankers of 150 GT and above.
Domestic Waste (Category C Annex V): Garbage category for wastes generated mainly in the accommodation spaces, excluding grey water and bilge water, with discharge prohibited inside three nautical miles from land.
Double Bottom (Reg 19 Annex I): The space between the inner bottom and the outer hull required on oil tankers of 5,000 DWT and above ordered on or after 6 July 1993.
Double Hull Tankers (Reg 19): The Annex I structural standard requiring double sides and double bottom protection of cargo tanks for oil tankers of 600 DWT and above delivered on or after 6 July 1996.
Dual-Fuel Engine (Annex VI): A marine engine capable of operating on gaseous and liquid fuels, regulated under Reg 13 for NOx and the IGF Code for safety.

E

E-waste (Category I Annex V): Garbage category for electrical and electronic waste generated on board, requiring discharge to port reception facilities.
ECA (Emission Control Area): Designated sea area with stricter sulphur (0.10% m/m) and NOx limits under MARPOL Annex VI.
ECA-NOx Baltic and North Sea: The two Tier III NOx ECAs in European waters, applicable to ships constructed on or after 1 January 2021.
ECA-NOx North America: The Tier III NOx Emission Control Area covering coasts of the United States and Canada, applicable to ships constructed on or after 1 January 2016.
ECA-NOx US Caribbean: The Tier III NOx Emission Control Area around Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, applicable to ships constructed on or after 1 January 2016.
ECA-SOx Baltic Sea: The first SOx ECA under Annex VI, in effect from 19 May 2006.
ECA-SOx Mediterranean Sea: The Mediterranean Sea Emission Control Area for sulphur oxides under Reg 14.3, in effect from 1 May 2025.
ECA-SOx North America: The SOx ECA covering US and Canadian coastal waters out to 200 nautical miles, in effect from 1 August 2012.
ECA-SOx North Sea: The SOx ECA covering the North Sea, in effect from 22 November 2007.
ECA-SOx US Caribbean: The SOx ECA around Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, in effect from 1 January 2014.
EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index): Mandatory IMO design efficiency metric for new ships.
EEXI (Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index): IMO design efficiency metric for existing ships.
EIAPP Certificate: Engine International Air Pollution Prevention certificate issued under NOx Technical Code.
Emergency Discharge (Reg 4 Annex I): A discharge of oil necessary for securing the safety of the ship or saving life at sea, exempt from Reg 15 limits where all reasonable precautions were taken.
Engine Group (NOx Technical Code): A set of marine diesel engines of the same design and adjustment, certified together under Annex VI Reg 13.

F

Fishing Gear (Category H Annex V): Garbage category for nets, lines, and traps, designed primarily to capture marine life; discharge prohibited everywhere from MARPOL Annex V Reg 7.
Florida Keys PSSA: The Particularly Sensitive Sea Area designated by IMO in 2002 protecting the Florida Keys reef tract.
Food Waste (Category B Annex V): Garbage category for spoiled or unspoiled food substances, with comminuted discharge permitted beyond three nautical miles in non-special areas and beyond 12 nautical miles in special areas.
FOPP Free of Pollution Plan: A vessel pollution prevention dossier used in flag-State documentation under the umbrella of MARPOL implementation, complementing SOPEP and SMPEP.
Form A (IOPP Supplement): The supplement to the IOPP Certificate for ships other than oil tankers under MARPOL Annex I.
Form B (IOPP Supplement): The supplement to the IOPP Certificate for oil tankers under MARPOL Annex I.
Fuel Oil Availability (Reg 18 Annex VI): The MARPOL Annex VI requirement on flag States and on shipowners to ensure that compliant fuel oil is available and used.
Fuel Oil Quality (Reg 18 Annex VI): The requirements that fuel oil for combustion be a blend of hydrocarbons from petroleum refining, contain no inorganic acids and no added substance jeopardizing safety or aggravating emissions.

G

Galapagos Islands PSSA: The Particularly Sensitive Sea Area designated by IMO in 2005 protecting waters around the Galapagos archipelago.
Garbage (Annex V): All kinds of food wastes, domestic wastes, operational wastes, plastics, cooking oil, incinerator ashes, animal carcasses, fishing gear, e-waste, and cargo residues, except fresh fish and parts…
Garbage Categories: The ten categories A through K used in the Garbage Record Book under MARPOL Annex V from 1 March 2018.
Garbage Management Plan (GMP): The mandatory plan under Annex V Reg 10, applicable to every ship of 100 GT and above and to every ship certified to carry 15 persons or more.
Garbage Record Book Part I: The record of garbage operations other than cargo residues, required for ships of 400 GT and above and ships carrying 15 persons or more.
Garbage Record Book Part II: The record of cargo residues discharge, required for ships carrying solid bulk cargoes, with entries since 1 March 2018.
Great Barrier Reef PSSA: Earliest IMO PSSA designation in 1990, expanded in 2005.
Grey Water (Annex IV): Drainage from dishwasher, shower, laundry, bath, and washbasin drains; not currently a regulated discharge under MARPOL Annex IV but covered under the Polar Code.
Gulf of Aden Special Area (Annex I): An Annex I oil special area, with discharge restrictions effective from the date special area reception facilities became operative.
Gulfs Area (Annex I): The Annex I oil special area covering the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, effective from 1 August 2008 once reception facilities were declared.

H

Harmful Substance (Reg 1 Annex III): A substance identified as a marine pollutant in the IMDG Code, the IBC Code, or the BCH Code; carriage in packaged form is regulated by Annex III.
Hellenic Aegean PSSA Proposal: A proposed Particularly Sensitive Sea Area in the Aegean Sea brought forward in MEPC discussions toward 2024.
High Viscosity Substance (Annex II): A noxious liquid substance with a viscosity equal to or greater than 50 mPa.s at the unloading temperature, requiring prewash under Reg 13.
HME Substances (Annex V): Cargo residues classified as Harmful to the Marine Environment under MARPOL Annex V and the IMSBC Code, with discharge prohibited.
Holding Tank (Annex IV): A tank used for the collection and storage of sewage on board, required where sewage is not treated by an approved sewage treatment plant.

I

IAPP Certificate: International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate under MARPOL Annex VI.
IBC Code: International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk.
IEE Certificate: International Energy Efficiency Certificate issued under MARPOL Annex VI regulation 8 and required by EEDI, EEXI, and SEEMP.
IMDG Code: International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, mandatory under SOLAS VII Part A.
IMO Number: Unique seven-digit ship identifier from IHS Markit on behalf of IMO.
Incinerator (Reg 16 Annex VI): A shipboard facility for combustion of waste, governed by MARPOL Annex VI Reg 16, with prohibited substances listed in paragraph 2 including PCBs and refined petroleum products with halogens.
Incinerator Ashes (Category E Annex V): Garbage category for residues produced from shipboard incineration of garbage, prohibited from sea discharge except specifically authorized residues outside special areas.
Inert Gas System (IGS): Required on tankers under SOLAS II-2/16.
Inner Bottom (Reg 19 Annex I): The deck plating bounding cargo tanks above, with minimum distance specified under double bottom requirements.
Inspection (Annex VI Reg 11): The right of port States to inspect a ship under MARPOL Annex VI to verify compliance with emission and certificate requirements.
IOPC 1971 Fund: The original International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund established by the 1971 Fund Convention, terminated on 24 May 2002.
IOPC 1992 Fund: The International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund established by the 1992 Fund Convention, providing compensation beyond CLC 1992 limits.
IOPC Supplementary Fund: Third-tier compensation regime established by the Supplementary Fund Protocol 2003.
IOPP Certificate: International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate under MARPOL Annex I.
ISPP Certificate: International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate under MARPOL Annex IV.

J

Jomard Entrance PSSA: The Particularly Sensitive Sea Area in Papua New Guinea waters designated by IMO Resolution MEPC.282(70) in 2017.

K

Kazakhstan and Caspian Coverage: The Caspian Sea is not a MARPOL Annex I special area; littoral States apply the Tehran Convention regional regime.

L

LSFO (Low Sulphur Fuel Oil): A fuel oil with sulphur content below the global cap of 0.50 percent m/m, required from 1 January 2020 under MARPOL Annex VI Reg 14.
LSMGO: Low-sulfur marine gas oil, a distillate marine fuel with sulfur content of 0.10% m/m or below, used in ECAs and EU ports.

M

Marine Diesel Engine (Reg 13 Annex VI): Any reciprocating internal combustion engine operating on liquid or dual fuel installed on board, subject to NOx Tier I, II, or III emission limits based on construction date and area.
Marine Pollutant (Annex III): A substance identified as such in the IMDG Code on the basis of the criteria in Annex III, requiring specific marking, labelling, packaging, documentation, and stowage.
MARPOL: International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the 1978 and 1997 Protocols; the IMO treaty governing marine pollution across six annexes.
MARPOL 73/78: 1973 Convention as modified by the 1978 Protocol.
MARPOL Annex Cross-cutting Provisions: Provisions appearing in MARPOL Articles 1 to 9 and Protocols I and II, including incident reporting (Protocol I) and arbitration (Protocol II).
Mediterranean Sea Emission Control Area (SOx): The Reg 14.3 SOx ECA in the Mediterranean Sea, in effect from 1 May 2025.
Mediterranean Sea Special Area (Annex I): An Annex I oil special area in force from 2 October 1983.
Mediterranean Sea Special Area (Annex V): An Annex V garbage special area, effective from 1 May 2009.
MEPC: Marine Environment Protection Committee.
MEPC.107(49): IMO resolution on 15 ppm bilge separators and bilge alarms.
MEPC.141(54): The IMO resolution adopting Annex I Reg 12A on protection of fuel oil tanks for ships of 600 cubic metres or more, applied to ships delivered on or after 1 August 2010.
MEPC.176(58): 2008 amendment adopting MARPOL Annex VI revised text.
MEPC.201(62): The IMO resolution adopting the revised MARPOL Annex V in 2011, entering into force 1 January 2013.
MEPC.227(64): IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee resolution on guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems.
MEPC.328(76): Adoption of MARPOL Annex VI amendments establishing EEXI, CII rating, and enhanced SEEMP.
Methane Slip (Reg 13 Annex VI): Unburned methane emitted from dual-fuel and gas engines, not currently capped by Annex VI but addressed under SEEMP and CII operational measures.

N

New Ship (Annex I Reg 1): A ship for which the building contract is placed on or after a specific MARPOL trigger date such as 31 December 1979 for original Annex I and 6 July 1993 for double hull requirements.
NLS (Noxious Liquid Substance): Any substance indicated as such in the IBC Code Chapter 17 pollution category column or provisionally assessed under Reg 6 of Annex II.
NLS Categorization OS (Other Substances): Substances which have been evaluated and found to fall outside categories X, Y, or Z and are considered to present no harm.
NLS Categorization X: Noxious liquid substances which if discharged into the sea from tank cleaning or deballasting are deemed to present a major hazard to either marine resources or human health.
NLS Categorization Y: Substances which present a hazard to either marine resources or human health or cause harm to amenities or other legitimate uses of the sea.
NLS Categorization Z: Substances which present a minor hazard to either marine resources or human health.
NLS Certificate: International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of NLS in Bulk.
North America ECA-SOx: The Emission Control Area covering coasts of the United States and Canada, in effect from 1 August 2012.
North Sea SOx ECA: A SOx ECA in force since 2007 with a 0.10% m/m sulfur cap.
North Sea Special Area (Annex V): The garbage special area in the North Sea, effective from 18 February 1991.
North-West European Waters Special Area (Annex I): The Annex I oil special area covering the North Sea, English Channel, Irish Sea, Celtic Sea, and adjacent areas, in force from 1 August 1999.
NOx Technical Code 2008: Mandatory under MARPOL Annex VI.
NOx Tier I: Applicable to engines on ships with keels laid on or after 1 January 2000 and before 1 January 2011.
NOx Tier II: Applicable to engines on ships with keels laid on or after 1 January 2011, globally.
NOx Tier III: MARPOL Annex VI NOx limit applying in NOx ECAs; relevant for SCR-equipped alt-fuel engines.

O

ODMCS (Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control System): The system required under MARPOL Annex I Reg 31 on every oil tanker of 150 GT and above, automatically recording oil content, discharge rate, ship speed, and position.
Oil (Reg 1 Annex I): Petroleum in any form including crude oil, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, and refined products other than petrochemicals which are subject to Annex II.
Oil Fuel (Reg 1 Annex I): Any oil used as fuel in connection with the propulsion and auxiliary machinery of the ship in which such oil is carried.
Oil Record Book Part I (Machinery Space): The book required by Annex I Reg 17 on every oil tanker of 150 GT and above and every other ship of 400 GT and above, recording machinery space operations.
Oil Record Book Part II (Cargo and Ballast Operations): The book required by Annex I Reg 36 on every oil tanker of 150 GT and above, recording cargo and ballast operations.
Oil Residue (Sludge): Residual waste oil products generated during normal operation, such as those from purification of fuel or lubricating oil, oil separated from oily water, or waste oil from machinery.
Oily Bilge Water: Water that may be contaminated by oil, accumulating in machinery space bilges; discharge regulated under Annex I Reg 15 with the 15 ppm limit.
Oily Mixture (Reg 1 Annex I): Any mixture with an oil content; the regulated content threshold for sea discharge under Reg 15 is 15 ppm.
Oman Area (Annex I): A proposed sub-area; current Annex I Special Areas list places Oman waters within the Gulfs Area where applicable.
Operational Waste (Category F Annex V): Garbage category for solid wastes including cleaning agents and additives in cargo holds and external surfaces, with discharge prohibited.

P

P&A Manual (Procedures and Arrangements): The Procedures and Arrangements Manual required under MARPOL Annex II Reg 14 for every ship certified to carry NLS, approved by the Administration.
Papahanaumokuakea PSSA: The Particularly Sensitive Sea Area designated by IMO Resolution MEPC.171(57) in 2008 covering the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Paracas PSSA: The Particularly Sensitive Sea Area in Peruvian waters designated by IMO in 2003.
Phase Out Single Hull Tankers (Reg 20 Annex I): The MARPOL Annex I Reg 20 schedule for the final cessation of single-hull oil tanker trading, with most single hull tankers phased out by 2010.
Plastic (Category A Annex V): Garbage category for synthetic ropes, fishing nets, plastic bags, and all other forms of plastic; discharge of plastics from ships is prohibited everywhere under Reg 3.
Polar Code Part II-A: Mandatory pollution prevention provisions under MARPOL.
Port Reception Facilities (Article 4): Shoreside facilities for the reception of oil residues, NLS residues, sewage, garbage, ODS, exhaust gas cleaning residues, and other waste streams under each MARPOL Annex.
Port State Control under MARPOL (Article 5(2)): The right and duty of a port State to inspect a ship in port to verify a valid MARPOL certificate and the condition of the ship and its equipment.
PPM (Parts Per Million, Annex I): The Annex I Reg 15 numerical discharge limit of 15 ppm oil-in-water for both machinery space bilge discharges and tanker cargo area effluents outside special areas.
Prewash (Reg 13 Annex II): The mandatory prewashing of tanks containing certain category X and Y NLS residues before unloading at the next port, recorded in the Cargo Record Book.
Protocol I (MARPOL): The MARPOL Protocol on Provisions Concerning Reports on Incidents Involving Harmful Substances.
Protocol II (MARPOL): The MARPOL Protocol on Arbitration concerning disputes between Parties.
Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL): The 17 February 1978 Protocol modifying the 1973 Convention, making Annex II optional at entry into force and integrating the convention with the 1978 SOLAS Protocol.
Protocol of 1997 (MARPOL): The Protocol adding Annex VI on air pollution to MARPOL, in force from 19 May 2005.
PSC NOx Inspection: A port State Control inspection focused on verifying NOx emission compliance using the EIAPP Certificate, Technical File, and Engine Record Book.
PSSA (Particularly Sensitive Sea Area): An area designated by IMO needing special protection through action by IMO because of its significance for ecological, socio-economic, or scientific reasons.
Pump Room Bottom Protection (Reg 22 Annex I): The requirement on oil tankers of 5,000 DWT and above with a pump room, to provide a double bottom protection of the pump room, for ships delivered on or after 1 January 2007.
Pumping, Piping and Discharge Arrangements (Reg 30 Annex I): The detailed arrangement requirements for oil tankers including manifolds, line stripping systems, and small diameter lines.

R

Reception Facilities (Reg 12 Annex IV): The Government obligation under MARPOL Annex IV to ensure sewage reception facilities at ports and terminals to receive sewage as needed.
Reception Facilities (Reg 17 Annex VI): The Government obligation to ensure provision of adequate facilities for the reception of ozone-depleting substances and equipment containing them, residues from exhaust gas cleaning systems, and…
Reception Facilities (Reg 18 Annex II): The Government obligation to ensure reception facilities for the residues of noxious liquid substances at ports specialized in NLS carriage.
Reception Facilities (Reg 38 Annex I): The Government obligation to provide adequate reception facilities at oil loading terminals, repair ports, and other relevant ports for oil residues and oily mixtures.
Reception Facilities (Reg 8 Annex V): The Government obligation under MARPOL Annex V to provide adequate reception facilities for garbage from ships.
Recognized Organization (RO): Class society or other entity acting on behalf of the flag state.
Red Sea Special Area (Annex I): An Annex I oil special area effective from 2 October 1983.
Reg 1 (Annex I Definitions): The definitions regulation including oil, oily mixture, oil tanker, segregated ballast, clean ballast, wing tank, centre tank, and combination carrier.
Reg 10 (Annex I Special Area Methods): The regulation on methods for the prevention of oil pollution from ships while operating in special areas.
Reg 12 (Annex I Tanks for Oil Residues, Sludge): The regulation requiring tanks of adequate capacity for oil residues sludge, with a standard pumping arrangement.
Reg 12A (Annex I Oil Fuel Tank Protection): The regulation introduced by MEPC.141(54) requiring protection of oil fuel tanks on ships with an aggregate oil fuel capacity of 600 cubic metres and above contracted on or after 1 August 2007.
Reg 13 (Annex I SBT, CBT, COW): The regulation establishing segregated ballast tanks, dedicated clean ballast tanks, and crude oil washing requirements for crude oil tankers and product carriers.
Reg 14 (Annex I ODMCS): The regulation defining requirements for the oil discharge monitoring and control system on oil tankers.
Reg 15 (Annex I Discharge Controls): The regulation on the control of discharge of oil including the 15 ppm machinery space limit and the cargo area discharge criteria.
Reg 16 (Annex I SOPEP): The regulation requiring a Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan on every oil tanker of 150 GT and above and every ship other than an oil tanker of 400 GT and above.
Reg 17 (Annex I Oil Record Book): The regulation establishing the Oil Record Book Part I for machinery space operations on ships of 400 GT and above.
Reg 18 (Annex I SBT Arrangements): The regulation on pumping, piping, and discharge arrangements associated with segregated ballast.
Reg 19 (Annex I Double Hull and Bottom): The regulation requiring double hull and double bottom construction in oil tankers above specified deadweight thresholds.
Reg 20 (Annex I Phase-Out): The regulation governing the phase-out schedule of single-hull tankers, with category 1, 2, and 3 deadlines culminating in 2010 for category 2 and 3 ships.
Reg 21 (Annex I CAS): The regulation establishing the Condition Assessment Scheme for single-hull oil tankers permitted to continue trading.
Reg 22 (Annex I Pump Room Bottom Protection): The regulation requiring double bottom protection of the pump room on tankers of 5,000 DWT and above delivered on or after 1 January 2007.
Reg 26 (Annex I STS Plan): The regulation requiring a Ship to Ship Transfer Operations Plan for oil tankers of 150 GT and above engaged in STS operations.
Reg 33 (Annex I Crude Oil Washing): The regulation prescribing crude oil washing for every new crude oil tanker of 20,000 DWT and above.
Reg 34 (Annex I Control of Discharge of Oil): The regulation on cargo-area discharge criteria including not less than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land and instantaneous rate not exceeding 30 litres per nautical mile.
Reg 38 (Annex I Reception Facilities): The regulation on the provision of reception facilities under Annex I.
Reg 4 (Annex I Exceptions): The regulation excepting from Annex I discharge limits releases necessary for safety of life or ship and accidental discharges where all reasonable precautions were taken.
Reg 5 (Annex I Surveys): The regulation on surveys, including initial, renewal, intermediate, annual, and additional surveys.
Reg 6 (Annex I Survey Continuity): The regulation on maintenance of survey condition between surveys.
Reg 7 (Annex I IOPP Issuance): The regulation on issuance or endorsement of the IOPP Certificate.
Reg 9 (Annex I Special Areas): The pre-2006-revision regulation listing special areas; in the 2006 consolidated Annex I, special areas are addressed in Reg 1.11 and Chapter 3 Part C.
Renewal Survey (MARPOL Certificates): The survey carried out at intervals not exceeding five years for IOPP, ISPP, IAPP, NLS, IEE, and EIAPP certificates.

S

Saba Bank PSSA: PSSA designated by IMO in 2012, located in the Caribbean.
SBT (Segregated Ballast Tanks): LNGC double-hull ballast wings independent of cargo system.
SEEMP: Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan required for all ships of 400 GT and above under MARPOL Annex VI; Parts II and III apply to ships of 5,000 GT and above.
SEEMP Part II: The fuel oil consumption data collection plan required by IMO MARPOL Annex VI for ships above 5,000 gross tonnage.
SEEMP Part III: The CII implementation plan required under IMO MARPOL Annex VI describing how a ship will achieve its required carbon intensity.
Sewage (Annex IV Reg 1): Drainage and other wastes from any form of toilets and urinals, drainage from medical premises via wash basins, wash tubs, and scuppers located in such premises, drainage from spaces containing…
Sewage Treatment Plant (Reg 9 Annex IV): A plant of a type approved by the Administration in accordance with MEPC.227(64) standards, allowing sewage discharge anywhere outside special areas where treated.
Ship to Ship (STS) Transfer Operations: Operations governed by MARPOL Annex I Chapter 8, Reg 40 to 42, applicable to oil tankers of 150 GT and above engaged in STS at sea.
Single Hull Tanker (Annex I): An oil tanker not meeting the double hull or equivalent structural requirements of Reg 19, subject to phase-out under Reg 20 and the CAS under Reg 21.
SMPEP (Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan for NLS): The plan required under MARPOL Annex II Reg 17 for ships of 150 GT and above carrying NLS in bulk; may be combined with SOPEP into a Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan.
SOPEP: The Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan required under MARPOL Annex I, reviewed under VIQ Chapter 6.
SOx Cap ECA (Reg 14.4): The MARPOL Annex VI sulphur cap of 0.10 percent m/m of fuel oil in designated ECAs, in effect from 1 January 2015.
SOx Cap Global (Reg 14.1.3): The MARPOL Annex VI global sulphur cap of 0.50 percent m/m of fuel oil used on board, in effect from 1 January 2020.
Special Area (MARPOL Generic): A sea area where, for technical reasons relating to its oceanographic and ecological condition and to the particular character of its traffic, the adoption of special mandatory methods for the…
Stability and Damage Stability (Reg 28 Annex I): The intact and damaged stability requirements for oil tankers under MARPOL Annex I.
Standard Discharge Connection (Reg 10 Annex IV): The flange dimensions standardized in Annex IV Reg 10 for the connection of ship pipelines for the delivery of sewage to reception facilities.
Sulphur Limit Compliance (Reg 14): The means by which a ship demonstrates compliance with Reg 14 sulphur limits, including use of compliant fuel, use of LNG, or use of an approved equivalent such as a scrubber under Reg 4.
Surveys (Annex I Reg 6): Initial, renewal, intermediate, annual, and additional surveys required for IOPP issuance and continuity.

T

Tanker (Reg 1 Annex I): A ship constructed or adapted primarily to carry oil in bulk in its cargo spaces, including combination carriers and any chemical tanker as defined when carrying oil in bulk.
Tier III NOx (Reg 13 Annex VI): The most stringent NOx emission limit, applicable in designated NOx ECAs to ships constructed on or after specific dates per area, requiring SCR, EGR, or equivalent technologies.
Torres Strait PSSA: The Particularly Sensitive Sea Area in the strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea, designated by IMO in 2005 with associated pilotage measures.
Tubbataha Reefs PSSA: PSSA designated by IMO in 2017 in the Sulu Sea, Philippines.

U

UK Sulphur Regulations: National enforcement instruments of MARPOL Annex VI Reg 14 in the United Kingdom; not a MARPOL instrument per se but the national enforcement chain.
Unified Interpretations (MARPOL): The IMO MEPC documents providing harmonized interpretations of MARPOL Annex provisions, circulated through MEPC.1/Circ. series.
US Caribbean ECA-NOx: The Tier III NOx Emission Control Area around Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, applicable to ships constructed on or after 1 January 2016.
US Caribbean ECA-SOx: The Emission Control Area for sulphur oxides around Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, in effect from 1 January 2014.

V

VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds): Compounds whose emissions from cargo of tankers are controlled in designated ports or terminals under MARPOL Annex VI Reg 15.
VOC Management Plan: The plan required under MARPOL Annex VI Reg 15.6 on every tanker carrying crude oil, describing the operating and maintenance procedures for the VOC control equipment.

W

Wadden Sea PSSA: PSSA designated by IMO in 2002 covering Dutch, German, and Danish Wadden Sea waters.
Wax-Like Substance (Annex II): An NLS with a melting point above 0 degrees Celsius and a particular categorization treatment under Annex II tank cleaning provisions.
Western European Waters PSSA: PSSA designated by IMO in 2004 covering English Channel approaches and Atlantic waters.
Wing Tank (Reg 1 Annex I): A cargo tank adjacent to the ship's side shell plating, defined in Reg 1.9 of Annex I for use in oil outflow and tank arrangement calculations.

X

X-Category NLS (Annex II Reg 6): A noxious liquid substance presenting a major hazard, requiring prewash under Reg 13.6 and discharge of resulting effluent to a reception facility before departure.

Y

Y-Category NLS (Annex II Reg 6): A noxious liquid substance presenting a hazard, allowing controlled discharge of cleaning residues subject to conditions in Reg 13.

Z

Z-Category NLS (Annex II Reg 6): A noxious liquid substance presenting a minor hazard, with the most permissive controlled discharge regime among regulated categories under Annex II.
Zero Discharge (Plastics, Annex V): The complete prohibition under MARPOL Annex V Reg 3 on the discharge of all plastics anywhere at sea.
Zone of Application (PSSA): The geographic extent within which Associated Protective Measures, such as Areas to be Avoided or mandatory routeing, apply once a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area is designated by IMO.