1 Oil MARPOL Annex I - Applies to all vessels
Vessel/Voyage type/Area
Sub-Category
Oil tankers
Oily waste from cargo tanks
All waters
All vessels > 400 gross tons
Machinery space bilges
All waters
Vessels operating in Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park
Bunkering utilising ship to ship transfers
Noxious Liquid Substances MARPOL Annex II and Harmful Packaged Substa
Vessel/Voyage type/Area
Sub-Category
Chemical and Product Tankers
Category X
High-viscosity or solidifying Category Y
Category Y
Category Z
MARPOL Harmful Packaged Substances
(Annex III)
Jettisoning of harmful packaged substances into the sea
Sewage - MARPOL Annex IV
Vessel/Voyage type/Area
Sub-Category
All vessels (other than passenger ships within
special areas)
Comminuted and disinfected sewage using an approved
system in accordance with regulation 9.1.2 of MARPOL
Annex IV
All vessels (other than passenger ships within
special areas)
Sewage not comminuted or disinfected
All vessels (other than passenger ships within
special areas) on International voyages to and
continuing in Australian waters
Treated sewage effluent discharged through an approved
Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) certified by the
Administration to meet the operational requirements
referred to in regulation 9.1.1 of MARPOL Annex IV
Passenger ships within special areas*
* further information on special areas can be
found in circular MEPC.1/Circ.778/Rev.1
Treated sewage effluent from new passenger ships on, or
after 1 January 2016 and for existing passenger ships on,
or after 1 January 2018
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Vessels on
International voyages to and continuing in
Australian waters
All sewage discharges
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Vessels on domestic voyages
All sewage discharges
Queensland State Waters (small vessels/State
If vessel does not have a sewage treatment system on
registered and recreational)
board, options include:
Using onshore toilet facilities whenever possible
Using a portable toilet to be later emptied to a
sewerage/septic system
Retain sewage in onboard holding tank for pumping out
to shore facilities.
Garbage MARPOL Annex V - Applies to all vessels
Type of garbage
Ships outside special areas1
Discharge permitted, while en route3, as far
Food2waste comminuted or ground to
as practicable from the nearest land, but in
particle size < 25mm
any case, 3nm from the nearest land.
Food2waste not comminuted or
ground
Discharge permitted, while en route3, as far
as practicable from the nearest land, but in
any case, 12nm from the nearest land.
Cargo residues5that cannot be
Discharge permitted, while en route, as far as
recovered using commonly available
practicable from the nearest land, but in any
methods for unloading, not contained
case, 12nm from the nearest land.
in wash water.
Cargo residues5that cannot be
recovered using commonly available
methods for unloading, contained in
wash water
Cargo material5contained in cargo
hold bilge water
Discharge permitted, from a loaded
hold7through the ships fixed piping bilge
drainage system.
Cleaning agents and
additives5contained in cargo hold
wash water
Discharge permitted
Under MARPOL Annex V, the areas of: the Mediterranean Sea; the Baltic Sea; the Black Sea; the Red Sea;
Caribbean region (including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea) are provided with a higher level of
can be found in circular MEPC.1/Circ.778/Rev.1.
Small quantities of food released directly into the sea for the specific purpose of fish feeding in connection
The en route requirement does not apply to the discharge of food wastes, where it is clear that retention o
MARPOL Annex V, Regulation 7.2.1
The discharge of introduced avian products, including poultry and poultry parts, is prohibited within the A
those introduced avian products are incinerated, autoclaved or otherwise treated to be made sterile.
These substances must not be harmful to the marine environment. When in port, check with the port auth
apply to the wash down of cargo residues from deck areas of vessels undertaken for safety purposes inclu
Safe operation of a helicopter within the landing area and its immediate vicinity to avoid dust being rais
Where there is a need to avoid navigational hazards such as dust being blown onto the wheelhouse or b
Where residues may cause a serious safety hazard to personnel if spillages are not cleaned from deck a
Discharge is permitted where conditions (a) and (b), as follows, both apply: (a) both the port of departure
will not transit outside the special area between theses ports; and (b) if no adequate reception facilities a
Vessels at anchorage for a period of time with empty holds may discharge hold bilge water through the sh
directly related to a hold washing/cleaning operation.If a threat to human health and safety of the crew or
12nm from the nearest land.
In all cases, check with local authorities as local regulations may apply. Within the Great Barrier Reef Mari
Air Emissions MARPOL Annex VI - Applies to all vesse
Vessel/Voyage type/Area
Sub-Category
All vessels
Ozone-depleting substances
Nitrogen Oxides
Sulphur Oxides
Incinerators
TABLE 6 Additional Local Requirements
Any discharge within port limits
Within port limits
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Environmentally Sensitive Sea Areas (ESSAs)
as marked upon navigation charts
Permit is required for Cruise ships and other vessels
conducting specific operations within the Marine Park
(e.g. dredges, pipeline laying vessels etc)
These sea areas have specific environmental protective
measures that apply for commercial tourism, fishing,
mining, scientific and recreational purposes. Permits are
required for such activities are issued by the Director of
National Parks.
ARPOL Annex I - Applies to all vessels
Discharge Conditions
More than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land; and
Tanker is proceeding en route; and
Instantaneous rate of discharge < 30 litres per nautical mile; and
Total quantity discharge does not exceed 1/15,000 or 1/30,000 of the total cargo (depending on the age of the vessel); and
Oil discharge monitoring and control system and slop tank arrangement to be operating.
Proceeding en route; and
Oil content less than 15 parts per million; and
Oil discharge monitoring and control system and oil filtering equipment to be operating
In some circumstances, oil or oily mixtures, may be retained onboard for discharge to port reception facilities see MARPOL Annex I,
Regulation 14.
Note: 15ppm discharges can be anywhere at sea (not within port limits) including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Marine
Protected Areas. Vessel must not be stationary when undertaking discharge.
A Permit is required from GBRMPA under which certain conditions may be imposed.
L Annex II and Harmful Packaged Substances MARPOL Annex III
Discharge Conditions
Tanks to be prewashed before leaving unloading port, residues to be pumped ashore until the concentration of the substance in the
effluent is 0.1% by weight or less, as indicated by analysis of samples of the effluent taken by an AMSA marine surveyor. When the
required concentration level has been achieved, remaining tank washings to be discharged to the reception facility until the tank is
empty. Appropriate entries to be made in the Cargo Record Book and endorsed by the AMSA marine surveyor. Any water subsequently
added may be discharged if:
Ship is proceeding en route at a speed of at least 7 knots; and
Discharge below the waterline; and
Ship is > 12 nm from nearest land and depth of water is >25m
Prewash in accordance with Convention, residues to be pumped ashore until tank is empty. Any water subsequently added may be
discharged if:
Ship is proceeding en route at a speed of at least 7 knots; and
Discharge below the waterline; and
Ship is > 12 nm from nearest land and depth of water is >25m
Ship is proceeding en route at a speed of at least 7 knots; and
Concentration of substance in wake of ship < 1 part per million; and
Amount not to exceed 1m3 or 1/3,000 of tank capacity, whichever is greater; and
Discharge below the waterline; and
Ship is > 12 nm from nearest land and depth of water is >25m
Prohibited, except where necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of the ship or saving life at sea
Sewage - MARPOL Annex IV
Discharge Conditions
Permitted as long as no less than 3 nm from nearest land; and
Sewage originating from holding tanks, or sewage originating from spaces containing live animals is discharged at a moderate rate*
while the ship is proceeding en route at a speed not less than 4 knots.
* The rate of discharge shall be approved by the Administration based upon standards approved by the Organisation. Recommended
standards for the rate of discharge of sewage from ships can be found in Marine Order 96.
Permitted as long as no less than 12 nm from nearest land; and
Sewage originating from holding tanks, or sewage originating from spaces containing live animals is discharged at a moderate rate*
while the ship is proceeding en route at a speed not less than 4 knots
* The rate of discharge shall be approved by the Administration based upon standards approved by the Organisation. Recommended
standards for the rate of discharge of sewage from ships can be found in Marine Order 96
Permitted provided:
Effluent does not produce visible floating solids nor cause discolouration of the surrounding water
Local laws may prohibit discharges in ports
Additionally:
When within port limits, check with port authority as permission may be required
All vessels should ensure that the STP is operating at optimum performance when in Australian waters
Food or biological waste removed from filtration units of vessels on international voyages is prohibited from discharge within 12nm from
land (DAFF requirements)
Permitted unless:
The ship has in operation an approved sewage treatment plant certified by the Administration to meet the operational requirements
referred to in regulation 9.2.1 of MARPOL Annex IV; and
Effluent does not produce visible floating solids nor cause discolouration of the surrounding water.
Note: local laws may prohibit discharges in ports
In accordance with Annex IV requirements and where applicable with any additional restrictions imposed as conditions of a GBRMP
permit
Recommended to comply with MARPOL Annex IV
Or, in accordance with requirements of Part 3A of the GBRMPA Regulations (93A-93G) for both treated and untreated sewage
AND, where applicable, in accordance with any additional restrictions imposed as conditions of a GBRMP permit
If a vessel has 16 or more persons on board, no discharge of untreated sewage is permitted anywhere in Queensland waters.
If a vessel has 7 to 15 persons on board, no discharge of untreated sewage is permitted within 1 nm of a reef or the mean low
water mark of an island or the mainland.
No discharge of untreated sewage is permitted within 1 nm of aquaculture fisheries resources, or within 0.5 nm of a wharf or jetty
other than a jetty that is a marina.
MARPOL Annex V - Applies to all vessels
Ships within special areas1
Discharge permitted4, while en route3, as far as practicable from the nearest land, but in any case, 12nm
from the nearest land.
Discharge prohibited
Discharge prohibited
Discharge permitted, while en route, as far as practicable from the nearest land, but in any case, 12nm
from the nearest land. Subject to two additional conditions6.
Discharge permitted, while en route, as far as practicable from the nearest land, but in any case, 12nm
from the nearest land. Subject to two additional conditions6.
a; the Baltic Sea; the Black Sea; the Red Sea; the Gulfs area; the North Sea; the Antarctic area; and the Wider
bbean Sea) are provided with a higher level of protection than other sea areas. Further information on special are
e specific purpose of fish feeding in connection with fishing or tourist operations is permitted.
f food wastes, where it is clear that retention on board presents an imminent health risk to the people on board. S
ry and poultry parts, is prohibited within the Antarctic special area (sea area south of latitude 600S), except where
d or otherwise treated to be made sterile.
nment. When in port, check with the port authority as local regulations may also apply. The above restrictions do
of vessels undertaken for safety purposes including:
its immediate vicinity to avoid dust being raised by the down-draft of the rotors;
as dust being blown onto the wheelhouse or bridge wings;
sonnel if spillages are not cleaned from deck areas, adjacent walkways and working areas
ws, both apply: (a) both the port of departure and the next port of destination are within the special area and the
s; and (b) if no adequate reception facilities are available at these ports. See MARPOL Annex V Regulation 6.1.2.
may discharge hold bilge water through the ships fixed piping bilge drainage system as long as the water is not
eat to human health and safety of the crew or the remaining live animals on board exists, discharge to take place
may apply. Within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, as far as practicable from reefs and islands.
s MARPOL Annex VI - Applies to all vessels
Discharge Conditions
Prohibited
Operation of diesel engines >130kW prohibited unless engine is certified to meet prescribed emission standards.
New Engines:
Tier I - 17 g/kW from 1 January 2000
Tier II - 14.4 g/kW from 1 January 2011
Tier III - 3.4 g/kW from 1 January 2016 (in Emission Control Areas (ECA))
Existing Engines (installed on ship on or between 1 January 1990 to 1 January 2000)
17g/kW for diesel engine with power output >5000kW and displacement per cylinder => 90 litres
Approved method by Administration
Sulphur content of fuel oil not to exceed 4.5%. **
From 1 January 2012, sulphur content of fuel oil not to exceed 3.5% **
From 1 January 2020 sulphur content if fuel oil not to exceed 0.5% **
** Fuel oil to be purchased from a registered supplier
Note: Feasibility review to be completed 2018
Incinerators installed after 1 January 2000 must be type approved and certified to meet prescribed emission standards.
Do not use within port limits
LE 6 Additional Local Requirements
In compliance with all Annexes of MARPOL
OR
Check with relevant port authority
Conditions may be imposed as listed on the Permit (e.g. there may be requirements imposed for sewage discharges that are
stricter than MARPOL requirements)
No restrictions upon shipping activities, or commercial vessel transit undertaking voyages in conformance with MARPOL and
SOLAS
Vessels should note the environmental significance of the area and take extra care while transiting through these areas
Offshore platforms (more than 12 nm
from land) and all ships within 500m of
such platforms
Discharge permitted
Discharge prohibited
Discharge prohibited
Discharge prohibited
Discharge prohibited
Discharge prohibited
arctic area; and the Wider
r information on special areas
mitted.
sk to the people on board. See
atitude 600S), except where
y. The above restrictions do not
eas
hin the special area and the ship
Annex V Regulation 6.1.2.
as long as the water is not
ists, discharge to take place
and islands.
