Summary of Discharge Standards for Ships and smaller vessels operating in waters: MARPOL and local requirements

Table 1 - oil MARPOL Annex I
Table 2 - garbage MARPOL Annex V
Table 3 - sewage MARPOL Annex IV
Table 4 - air emissions MARPOL Annex VI
Table 5 - noxious liquid substances and harmful packaged substances MARPOL Annex II and III
Table 6 - additional local requirements

TABLE 1 Oil MARPOL Annex I - Applies to all vessels

Vessel/Voyage type/Area	Sub-Category	Discharge Conditions
Oil tankers All waters	Oily waste from cargo tanks	More than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land; and Tanker is proceeding en route; and Instantaneous rate of discharge < 30 litres per nautical mile; and Total quantity discharge does not exceed 1/15,000 or 1/30,000 of the total cargo (depending on the age of the vessel); and Oil discharge monitoring and control system and slop tank arrangement to be operating.
All vessels >= 400 gross tons  All waters	Machinery space bilges	Oil and all oily mixtures retain onboard for on shore disposal OR Proceeding en route; and Oil content less than 15 parts per million; and Oil discharge monitoring and control system and oil filtering equipment to be operating Note: 15ppm discharges can be anywhere at sea (not within port limits) including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Marine Protected Areas. Vessel must not be stationary when undertaking discharge.
All vessels <400 gross tons  All waters	Machinery space bilges	Oil and all oily mixtures retain onboard for on shore disposal OR Proceeding en route; and Has in operation equipment of a design approved by the administration that ensures oil content less than 15 parts per million. Note: 15ppm discharges can be anywhere at sea (not within port limits) including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Marine Protected Areas. Vessel must not be stationary when undertaking discharge.
Vessels operating in Great Barrier Reef Marine Park	Bunkering utilising ship to ship transfers	A Permit is required from GBRMPA under which certain conditions may be imposed.

TABLE 2 Garbage MARPOL Annex V - Applies to all vessels

Vessel/Voyage type/Area	Sub-Category	Discharge Conditions
All vessels   All waters	Mixed garbage with different discharge requirements (eg. Food waste mixed with plastic – prohibited)	The most stringent requirement applies
All vessels   All waters	Plastics This includes synthetic ropes, synthetic fishing nets, plastic garbage bags and incinerator ashes from plastic products, cigarette filters fibreglass/laminated structures piping, insulation, carpets paints and finishes, electrical components, sheeting, floats fishing nets strapping band rope and line	Prohibited
All vessels within the Nearest Land (MARPOL definition)	All garbage types (including food waste) within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and part of the Torres Strait (see MARPOL definition of "from the nearest land") (Note exception for small amounts of  food waste associated with tourist and fishing activities see Annex V Guidelines)	Prohibited
All Vessels when alongside or within 500 metres of a fixed or floating platform that is located more than 12 nm from Nearest Land.	All garbage types (except food waste passed through a communiter or grinder)	Prohibited
All vessels All waters	Dunnage, lining and packing materials which will float (eg: pallets, cardboard, plywood)	> 25 nm from nearest land.
All vessels All waters	Food wastes and all other garbage This includes domestic waste, cargo residues, maintenance and operational waste and incinerator ashes (except from plastic products), soot machinery deposits, scraped paint, deck sweepings, etc. This category includes cargo hold washing water.	> 12 nm from nearest land.
All vessels All waters	Garbage that has been ground or comminuted to particles < 25mm	> 3 nm from nearest land.
All vessels	Grey water (from showers, laundry, dishwater) and swimming/spa pool waters	Discharge allowed at sea When in port, check with port authority as permission may be required
Vessels at anchorages or stationary while waiting for a berth.  All waters.	Food waste and other garbage	Comply with all Annex V requirements If the vessel is anchored or stationary more than 12nm from the nearest land, it is recommended that only food waste is discharged and all other garbage is retained for offloading when alongside.
Bulk Cargo vessels operating within the 12nm from nearest land limitation (including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park)	Wash down of cargo residues on deck areas  Entry should be recorded in the Garbage Record Book (item 4.1(d)) for verification of a discharge under these specific circumstances.	Only for safety purposes wash down discharge allowed for: safe operation of a helicopter within the landing area and its immediate vicinity to avoid dust being raised by the down-draft of the rotors; where there is a need to avoid navigational hazards such as dust being blown onto the wheelhouse or bridge wings; and where residues may cause a serious safety hazard to personnel if spillages are not cleaned from deck areas, adjacent walkways and working areas.
Bulk Cargo vessels operating within the 12nm from nearest land limitation (including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park)	Cargo bilge water   Entry should be recorded in the Garbage Record Book (item 4.1(d)) for verification of a discharge under these specific circumstances.	Only for safety purposes where the cargo hold bilge water generated through a loaded hold is required to be discharged through the vessel's fixed piping bilge drainage system provided that the cargo material is not classified as a marine pollutant in the IMDG Code. Vessels at anchorage for a period of time with empty holds may discharge hold bilge water as long as the water is not directly related to a hold washing/cleaning operation.
All vessels operating in Australian Antarctic Territory (sea area south latitude 60°S)	All Plastics All other garbage (except food waste) Food waste	Prohibited Prohibited >12 nm from nearest land
All vessels on International voyages to and continuing in Australian waters (Australian Quarantine requirements)	All Food waste including ground and communited, grinder or extracted from a filtration system	>12 nm from land (baselines) Offload to port facilities for Australian Quarantine approved contractor for autoclave/steam sterilization processing
All vessels on International voyages to and continuing in Australian waters (Australian Quarantine requirements)	Recycled waste (eg aluminium tins, glass)	Offload to port facilities if the vessel has processed recycled waste onboard  through a steam sterilizer OR Offload to port facilities for  Australian Quarantine approved contractor for autoclave/steam sterilization processing
All vessels on International voyages to and continuing in Australian waters (Australian Quarantine requirements)	Ashes from type approved incinerator (IMO Resolution MEPC.76(40) Ashes from an incinerator (not type approved)	Accepted by port reception facilities Offload to Australian Quarantine approved contractor but only acceptable for deep burial treatment.

TABLE 3 Sewage - MARPOL Annex IV

Vessel/Voyage type/Area	Sub-Category	Discharge Conditions
Vessels on international voyages	Comminuted and disinfected sewage using an approved system	> 3 nm from nearest land.
Vessels on international voyages	Sewage stored in holding tanks (untreated and treated sewage)	> 12 nm from nearest land; and discharged at a moderate rate*; and ship proceeding en route at a speed of at least 4 knots. * The rate of discharge must be approved by the Administration.
Vessels on international voyages	Treated sewage effluent discharged through an IMO approved sewage treatment plant (STP) Also integrated system where the STP includes grey water input food processing input.	Effluent not to produce visible floating solids nor cause discolouration of the surrounding water. When within port limits, check with port authority as permission may be required All vessels should ensure that the STP is operating at optimum performance when in Australian waters Food or biological waste removed from filtration unit is prohibited from discharge within 12nm from land (Australian Quarantine requirements)
Vessels on domestic voyages (all sizes)		Recommended to comply with MARPOL Annex IV Local laws may prohibit discharges in ports
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Vessels on International voyages to and continuing in Australian waters	All sewage discharges	In accordance with Annex IV requirements and where applicable with any additional restrictions imposed as conditions of a GBRMP permit
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Vessels on domestic voyages	All sewage discharges	Recommended to comply with MARPOL Annex IV Or In accordance with requirements of Part 3A of the GBRMPA Regulations (93A-93G) for both treated and untreated sewage AND, where applicable, in accordance with any additional restrictions imposed as conditions of a GBRMP permit
Queensland State Waters(small vessels/State registered and recreational)	If vessel does not  have a sewage treatment system on board, options include: using onshore toilet facilities whenever possible using a portable toilet to be later emptied to a sewerage/septic system retain sewage in onboard holding tank for pumping out to shore facilities.	If a vessel has 16 or more persons on board, no discharge of untreated sewage is permitted anywhere in Queensland waters. If a vessel has 7 to 15 persons on board, no discharge of untreated sewage is permitted within 1 nautical mile (1852 m) of a reef or the mean low water mark of an island or the mainland.

TABLE 4 Air Emissions MARPOL Annex VI - Applies to all vessels

Vessel/Voyage type/Area	Sub-Category	Discharge Conditions
All vessels	Ozone-depleting substances	Prohibited
	Nitrogen Oxides	Operation of diesel engines >130kW prohibited unless engine is certified to meet prescribed emission standards. New Engines: • Tier I - 17 g/kW from 1 January 2000 • Tier II - 14.4 g/kW from 1 January 2011 • Tier III - 3.4 g/kW from 1 January 2016 (in Emission Control Areas (ECA)) Existing Engines (installed on ship on or between 1 January 1990 to 1 January 2000)  • 17g/kW for diesel engine with power output >5000kW and displacemenmt per cylinder => 90 litres • Approved method by Administration
	Sulphur Oxides	Sulphur content of fuel oil not to exceed 4.5%. ** • From 1 January 2012, sulphur content of fuel oil not to exceed 3.5% ** • From 1 January 2020 sulphur content if fuel oil not to exceed 0.5% ** ** Fuel oil to be purchased from a registered supplier Note a feasibility review to be completed 2018
	Incinerators	Incinerators installed after 1 January 2000 must be type approved and certified to meet prescribed emission standards. Do not use within port limits

TABLE 5 Noxious Liquid Substances MARPOL Annex II and Harmful Packaged Substances MARPOL Annex III

Vessel/Voyage type/Area	Sub-Category	Discharge Conditions
Chemical and Product Tankers	Category X	Tanks to be prewashed before leaving unloading port, residues to be pumped ashore until the concentration of the substance in the effluent is 0.1% by weight or less, as indicated by analysis of samples of the effluent taken by an AMSA marine surveyor. When the required concentration level has been achieved, remaining tank washings to be discharged to the reception facility until the tank is empty. Appropriate entries to be made in the Cargo Record Book and endorsed by the AMSA marine surveyor. Any water subsequently added may be discharged if: Ship is proceeding en route at a speed of at least 7 knots; and Discharge below the waterline; and Ship is > 12 nm from nearest land and depth of water is >25m.
	High-viscosity or solidifying Category Y	Prewash in accordance with Convention, residues to be pumped ashore until tank is empty.  Any water subsequently added may be discharged if: Ship is proceeding en route at a speed of at least 7 knots; and Discharge below the waterline; and Ship is > 12 nm from nearest land and depth of water is >25m.
	Category Y Category Z	Ship is proceeding en route at a speed of at least 7 knots; and Concentration of substance in wake of ship < 1 part per million; and Amount not to exceed 1m3 or 1/3,000 of tank capacity, whichever is greater; and Discharge below the waterline; and Ship is > 12 nm from nearest land and depth of water is >25m.
MARPOL Harmful Packaged Substances (Annex III)	Vessels carrying Harmful Packaged Substances Labelling requirements	Jettisoning prohibited.

TABLE 6 Additional Local Requirements

Within port limits	Any discharge within port limits	In compliance with all Annexes of MARPOL OR Check with relevant port authority
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park	Permit is required for Cruise ships and other vessels conducting specific operations within the Marine Park (e.g. dredges, pipeline laying vessels etc)	Conditions may be imposed as listed on the Permit (e.g. there may be requirements imposed for sewage discharges that are stricter than MARPOL requirements)
Environmentally Sensitive Sea Areas (ESSAs) as marked upon navigation charts	These sea areas have specific environmental protective measures that apply for commercial tourism, fishing, mining, scientific and recreational purposes.  Permits are required for such activities are issued by the Director of National Parks.	No restrictions upon shipping activities, or commercial vessel transit undertaking voyages in conformance with MARPOL and SOLAS Vessels should note the environmental significance of the area and take extra care while transiting through these areas

* The rate of discharge must be approved by the Administration.

** Fuel oil to be purchased from a registered supplier.

 

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