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Summary Information
Full Title

1978 Protocol Relating to the 1973 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (including Annexes, Final Act and 1973 International Convention)

Short Title / Abbreviations

MARPOL 1973/1978 / MARPOL 73/78

CIL Subject Classification
Citations to Text 1340 UNTS 61, [1988] ATS 29, 17 ILM 546 (1978)
Date of Adoption 17/02/1978
Place of Adoption London, United Kingdom
Secretariat / Relevant Authority

International Maritime Organization

Depository

Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization

Annexes

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 (Optional – Article 14 to MARPOL 73) – Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Forms, or in Freight Containers, Portable Tanks or Road and Rail Tank Wagons

Annex IV (Optional – Article 14 to MARPOL 73) – Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships

Annex V (Optional – Article 14 to MARPOL 73) – Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships

Annex VI (Optional) – Regulations for the Prevention for Air Pollution from Ships

Entry Into Force Status In Force
Date of Entry into Force

02/10/1983

Entry into Force / Termination Provisions

Article V: Entry into Force

“1. The present Protocol shall enter into force twelve months after the date on which not less than fifteen States, the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than fifty per cent of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping, have become Parties to it in accordance with Article IV of the present Protocol.

2. Any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession deposited after the date on which the present Protocol enters into force shall take effect three months after the date of deposit.”

General Status 161 Parties (as of 17/11/2023)
Links to Current Status/Reservations International Maritime Organization
Status
ASEAN States
Brunei Darussalam Accession 23/10/1986
Declaration 23/10/1986
Cambodia Accession 28/11/1994
Indonesia Accession 21/10/1986
Declaration 21/10/1986
Lao PDR
Malaysia Accession 31/01/1997
Declaration 31/01/1997
Myanmar Accession 04/05/1988
Declaration 04/05/1988
Philippines Accession 15/06/2001
Singapore Accession 01/11/1990
Declaration 01/11/1990
Thailand Accession 02/11/2007
Vietnam Accession 29/05/1991
Declaration 29/05/1991
Related Instruments
Protocols / Amendments to this instrument

1997 Protocol to amend the 1973 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, as modified by the 1978 Protocol (including Annex VI (Revised Version as at 2011)

2001 Guidelines for the Designation of Special Areas under MARPOL 73/78 and Guidelines for the Identification and Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas

Refer to IMO website for a full list of amendments to this instrument.

This instrument amends/supersedes

1973 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

 

Related Instruments

1969 International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties

1969 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage

1971 International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage

1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter

1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea

1990 International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-Operation

1996 International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea

2001 International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage

2001 International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships

2001 Guidelines for the Designation of Special Areas under MARPOL 73/78 and Guidelines for the Identification and Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas

2004 International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments

2013 Guidelines for the Designation of Special Areas under MARPOL

External Links
Additional Information

Accession status provided above pertains to the main MARPOL 1973/1978 convention. For status with regard to the respective Annexes and Protocols, please refer to the IMO Status of Conventions