MARPOL Annex IV: MARPOL Annex IV - Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships

MARPOL Annex IV entered into force in 2003. It is an addition to the combined instrument of MARPOL (the 1973 Convention and 1978 Protocol, in force since 1983), which aims to protect the marine environment from pollution by oil and other harmful substances from ships. Annex IV focuses on sewage discharges from ships, prohibiting such discharges within 12 nautical miles of land except under specific circumstances (including prior on-board sewage treatment to specified standards).