Prevention, reduction and control of marine pollution from ships

Abstract

Various sources of marine pollution from ships have prompted the development of many international conventions under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Of these, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (hereinafter MARPOL 73/78/MARPOL Convention) is the most important. It covers the issues of prevention of vessel-source pollution by oil, noxious liquid substances in bulk, harmful substances carried in packaged form, sewage and garbage and also of air pollution from ships. This chapter presents a brief overview of the IMO conventions on vessel-source marine pollution preparedness, response, cooperation and intervention as well as marine pollution liability and compensation. In addition to conventional vessel-source pollution, international shipping has many unintended effects on the marine environment. One such effect is harmful aquatic organisms carried by ballast water and harmful aquatic organisms, which accumulate on marine vessels through biofouling, are transferred to another marine environment. This chapter also presents a brief overview of legal instruments covering these issues. Further, it examines the issue of marine environmental pollution by the ship recycling industry. A major contemporary issue is reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) owing to international shipping. This issue has created a serious North–South divide, leading to debate between developed and developing countries. This chapter covers this issue briefly.