E

MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

COMMITTEE
68th session
Agenda item 7

MEPC 68/7
6 March 2015
Original: ENGLISH

AMENDMENTS TO MARPOL ANNEX V, FORM OF GARBAGE RECORD BOOK

Amendments to the Form of Garbage Record Book
Submitted by Australia, Liberia and New Zealand
SUMMARY
Executive summary:

This document provides an alternative proposal for the amendments

to MARPOL Annex V, Form of Garbage Record Book, taking into
consideration the comments raised during discussions at MEPC 65,
MEPC 66 and MEPC 67

Strategic direction:

2.0

High-level action:

2.0.1

Planned output:

No related provisions

Action to be taken:

Paragraph 10

Related documents:

MEPC 65/7/6; MEPC 66/6/2, MEPC 66/6/9, MEPC 66/21;

MEPC 67/7/4, MEPC 67/7/8, MEPC 67/20 and MEPC 68/6/2

Introduction
1
This document provides an alternative proposal for amendments to
MARPOL Annex V, Form of Garbage Record Book as requested by MEPC 67 (MEPC 67/20,
paragraph 7.15.3).
Background
2
At MEPC 65, the Committee considered document MEPC 65/7/6, which proposed
amendments to the Record of Garbage Discharges provided in MARPOL Annex V, Form of
Garbage Record Book. The proposed amendments aimed to improve the usability of the
record book and remove ambiguity to ensure consistency in reporting. The Committee was
able to agree to amendments to the Record of Garbage Discharges, which were circulated
under cover of Circular Letter No.3370.

https://edocs.imo.org/Final Documents/English/MEPC 68-7 (E).docx

MEPC 68/7
Page 2
3
During consideration of documents MEPC 66/6/2 and MEPC 66/6/9, comments raised
indicated that further deliberation on the proposed amendments was required. As such, the
Committee agreed to postpone adoption of the draft amendments to MEPC 67 and invited
interested Member States and international organizations to submit comments on the
circulated draft amendments (MEPC 66/6/2) to MEPC 67 for consideration, with a view to
adoption.
4
Based on the discussions at MEPC 67 and the consideration of documents
MEPC 67/7/4 and MEPC 67/7/8, the proposed amendments were kept in abeyance and
interested Member States were invited to provide to MEPC 68, for consideration, submissions
that addressed the issues raised at MEPC 67.
Discussion
5
The proposal in annex 1 aims to address issues raised during consideration of the
amendments to the Record of Garbage Discharges and includes:
.1

the need for additional space to record exceptional discharge or loss of

garbage under MARPOL Annex V, regulation 7, as provided in document
MEPC 67/7/4;

.2

the proposal for the record book to have a part I, for the recording of all
operations related to garbage other than cargo residues, and a part II, for all
operations related to cargo residues to better reflect their discharge
requirements, as per document MEPC 67/7/8; and

.3

the need for increased usability of the Record of Garbage Discharges without
significantly changing the way ships currently report MARPOL Annex V
wastes, as per document MEPC 65/7/6.

7
It is recognized that if the amendments presented in annex 1 are further considered
by the Committee, amendments to section 3 of the Form of Garbage Record Book will be
required to align the lettering of the garbage categories. As such, amendments are proposed
in annex 2.
8
Co-sponsors also recognize the benefit of resolving the discrepancies between the
text in regulation 10.3 of MARPOL Annex V and section 4 of the Form of Garbage Record
Book as outlined in annex 2 to document MEPC 67/7/4. It is considered that this alignment of
language will enhance the usability of the Garbage Record Book overall and remove ambiguity
on what is to be recorded in the Record of Garbage Discharges.
9
Co-sponsors also acknowledge the need to incorporate changes to the Form of
Garbage Record Book to recognize the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters
(the Polar Code) as per annex 2 to document MEPC 68/6/2.
Action requested of the Committee
10
The Committee is invited to consider the information provided in this document and
take action as appropriate.

***

https://edocs.imo.org/Final Documents/English/MEPC 68-7 (E).docx

MEPC 68/7
Annex 1, page 1
ANNEX 1
RECORD OF GARBAGE DISCHARGES
PART I
For all garbage other than cargo residues as defined in regulation 1.2 (definitions)
Ship's name

Distinctive number or letters

IMO number

Garbage Categories
A-Plastics B-Food waste
C-Domestic wastes (e.g. paper products, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery etc.)
D-Cooking oil
E-Incinerator ashes
F-Operational wastes
G-Animal carcasses
H-Fishing gear
Operational discharges under MARPOL Annex V regulations 4 (outside special areas), 5 (fixed and
floating platforms) and 6 (special areas)
Date/
Time

Position of the
ship (latitude/
longitude) or port
if disposed of
ashore or name of
ship if discharged
to another ship

Category

Estimated amount
discharged
Into
To
sea
reception
(m3)
facilities
or
to
another
ship (m3)

Estimated
amount
incinerated
(m3)

Remarks:(e.g.
start/stop time and
position
of
incineration;
general remarks)

Certification/
Signature

Remarks on the reason for the discharge

or loss and general remarks (e.g.
reasonable precautions taken to prevent
loss)

Certification/
Signature

/
:

/
:

/
:

/
:

Exceptional discharge or loss of garbage under regulation 7

Date/
Time

Port or position
of the ship
(latitude/
longitude and
water depth if
known)

Category

Estimated
amount lost
or
discharged
(m3)

/
:

/
:
Master's signature:__________________________ Date: ____________________

MEPC 68/7
Annex 1, page 2
Record of Garbage Discharges
PART II
For all cargo residues as defined in regulation 1.2 (definitions)
Ship's name

Distinctive number or letters

IMO number

Operational discharges under regulations 4 and 6

Date/
Time

Position of the
ship (latitude/
longitude) or port
if disposed of
ashore

HME
Yes/No

Estimated amount
discharged
Into
To
sea
reception
(m3)
facilities
or
to
another
ship (m3)

Start and stop positions of the ship

for discharges into the sea

/
:

/
:

/
:

/
:

Master's signature:_______________________ Date: ____________________

***

https://edocs.imo.org/Final Documents/English/MEPC 68-7 (E).docx

Certification/
Signature

MEPC 68/7
Annex 2, page 1
ANNEX 2
AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 3 OF THE FORM OF GARBAGE RECORD BOOK
Amendments to section 3 of the Form of Garbage Record Book are presented below. These
amendments aim to align the proposed lettering of the garbage categories presented in
annex 1 with section 3 of the Form of Garbage Record Book and recognize the proposed
approach of a part I and part II in the Record of Garbage Discharges.
Text to be deleted has been struck out with proposed new text underlined.
3

Description of the garbage

Garbage is to be grouped into categories for the purposes of recording in parts I and II
of the Garbage Record Book (or ship's official log-book) as follows:
Part I
A Plastics
B Food wastes
C Domestic wastes
D Cooking oil
E Incinerator ashes
F Operational wastes
G Cargo residues
G Animal carcass(es)
H Fishing gear
Part II
Cargo residues

___________

https://edocs.imo.org/Final Documents/English/MEPC 68-7 (E).docx