What are regulations for discharge of wash water in special areas per MARPOL ?

Regulations for discharge of wash water:

1. While disposing Cargo residues and Wash down water, the Chief should ensure that MARPOL 73/78 are strictly followed.
2. MARPOL 73/78 Annex V requires that all ships of 400 GT and above have an approved Garbage Management Plan and a Garbage record book.
3. Cargo residues, wash water and wash water containing chemicals which are Harmful to the Marine Environment (HME) must be identified as such and disposed of in the correct manner. From 1 January 2013,
4. New requirements under MARPOL annex V have come into force, which specifically apply to the disposal of cargo residues and wash water in to the marine environment. All persons involved in the cargo chain must familiarise themselves with these requirements. They basically state that:
   • No discharge of cargo residues should occur less than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land, or the nearest ice shelf.
   • No discharge of cargo residues should occur within the MARPOL defined ‘Special Areas’.
   • No discharge of any cargo residues specified as HME.
   • Hold wash water should be discharged to a suitable reception facility (RF).

Key points for disposal are:

Due to a reported lack of adequate reception facilities at present, MEPC Circular 8104 allows the discharge of HME cargo residues contained in hold wash water until 31 December 2015 outside Special Areas providing that: