MARPOL Annex VI Unified Interpretations revised by IMO

The International Maritime Organization has revised its unified interpretations to MARPOL Annex VI.

MEPC.1/Circ.795/Rev.9 was published on 29 April 2024.

1. The Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its eighty-first session (17 to 22 March 2024), approved unified interpretations to regulations 2.2.15 and 2.2.18 of MARPOL Annex VI, in order to provide clarity concerning:
   1. the definition of "heavy load carrier" within the definition of "general cargo ship"; and
   2. the applicable dates for the different ship types for the calculation of the required EEDI under each EEDI Phase.
2. The consolidated text of all existing unified interpretations to MARPOL Annex VI, listed in numerical order of interpreted regulations in MARPOL Annex VI, is set out in the annex.
3. Member Governments are invited to apply the annexed unified interpretations to MARPOL Annex VI, as appropriate, and bring them to the attention of all Parties concerned.
4. This circular revokes MEPC.1/Circ.795/Rev.8.

The annex of the document clarifies various regulations and includes key points such as:

• The definition of "heavy load carrier" within the context of "general cargo ship."
• Criteria for major conversions.
• The definition of "new ship" for calculating the required Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).
• Requirements for ships dedicated to carrying fruit juice.
• Timing for existing ships to have a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) on board.
• Confirmation of compliance for new ships.
• Requirements for sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter emissions.
• Inclusion of the annual operational Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and rating in the Statement of Compliance.
• Criteria for identical replacement engines.

These regulations cover various aspects such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, sulfur content of fuel oil, volatile organic compound (VOC) management, shipboard incineration, fuel oil availability and quality, EEDI reporting, SEEMP implementation, ship fuel oil consumption data collection and reporting, and the operational carbon intensity of ships.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS TO MARPOL ANNEX VI