CCS_TI._021_(EN)_MEPC.200(62)Resolution

Technical Information(2012)Technical Information No.21 Total No.21October 8,2012(Total pages:2+5)To:Relevant shipping companiesNotice on the Coming Entry Into Force of MARPOL Annex IVRevised by Resolution MEPC.200(62)International Maritime Organization (IMO)adopted the Amendments to the Annex ofthe Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention ofPollution from Ships,1973 (revised MARPOL annex IV)by resolution MEPC.200(62)on 15 July 2011.The amendments will enter into force formally on 1 January2013.New provision of special area in which the prevention of pollution by sewage isrequired is added to the revised MARPOL annex IV and the Baltic Sea area isspecified as a special area.Definitions of passenger and passenger ship are added to the resolution.Newprovisions of sewage systems provided on every passenger ship within a special areaare also added,a sewage treatment plant which shall be a type approved by theAdministration taking into account the standards developed by the Organization referto the revised Guidelines on Implementation of Effluent Standards and PerformanceTests for Sewage Treatment Plants adopted by the MEPC by resolution MEPC.159(55)or the 2012 Guidelines on Implementation of Effluent Standards and PerformanceTests for Sewage Treatment Plants,which are expected to be adopted at the 64thSession of the MEPC.New paragraph 13"Reception facilities for passenger ships inspecial areas"is added to the resolution.New provision of discharge of sewage from passenger ships within a special area isadded to the amendments to annex VI.Passenger ships other than those being fittedwith a sewage system that complies with the requirement are prohibited by theConvention to discharge sewage from the ships within a special area.For a newpassenger ship,the discharge of sewage within a special area will be prohibited on orafter 1 January 2016 and for an existing passenger ship,on or after 1 January 2018.