MARPOL (1978 Protocol): International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78)

The acronym “MARPOL” refers to a combined instrument originating in the 1970s, when the International Maritime Organization (IMO) developed two agreements and combined them with each other to address pollution by oil and other harmful substances from ships. The full title of the combined agreement is “the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) as modified by the Protocol of 1978”, sometimes shortened to “MARPOL 73/78”. The first of the two agreements was the 1973 MARPOL Convention, which articulated provisions for the management and transportation of different forms of potential pollutants. The 1978 Protocol modified some of the provisions in the 1973 Convention, in response to big oil spills that occurred in the 1970s. Because the 1973 Convention had not yet entered into force at the time the 1978 Protocol was agreed, and the 1973 Convention was effectively absorbed by the 1978 Protocol. This created the combined instrument that is now referred to by the acronym “MARPOL”, which entered into force in 1983. Since the 1973 Convention and 1978 Protocol were developed, MARPOL (the combined instrument) has been updated and amended several times, including through the addition of a new protocol in 1997, and through the addition or amendment of annexes at different points in time. As of 2026, MARPOL has six annexes, each addressing different forms of pollution from ships, and each with its own specific set of Contracting Parties. • Annex I - Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil (in force since 1983) • Annex II - Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk (in force since 1983) • Annex III - Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form (in force since 1992) • Annex IV Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships (in force since 2003) • Annex V Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships (in force since 1988) • Annex VI Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships (in force since 2005) The implementation of MARPOL is coordinated by the IMO, headquartered in London, UK. The implementation of MARPOL is coordinated by the IMO.