Intercargo worries over MARPOL changes

The new requirements, which entered into force on 1 January 2013, will place additional planning and reporting responsibilities on shippers and terminal operators. The new Annex states that the discharge of dry cargo into the sea will be permitted under defined conditions and shippers must now state on the ‘Cargo Declaration’ whether the commodity shipped is Harmful to the Marine Environment (HME) or not.

Intercargo worries that the new requirements could cause confusion, delays and contractual disagreements and possible action by Port State Controls. The association is warning that owners and masters need to be aware of the cargo classification and must rely on Section 6.1.2 of MARPOL V. This states that the residue must not be deemed HME, the ship must be en route 12 miles from land, there must be no adequate facilities at either discharge or next loading port and both ports are within the ‘Special Area’.

Ian Harrison, technical manager, Intercargo, said:“Many responsible owners will have seen the Intercargo Briefing Note on the changes but there is a possibility that shippers may not be aware of their responsibilities for declaring HME cargoes on the Shippers Declaration. Shippers who are not fully up to speed on the new requirements are urged to seek assistance.”

Intercargo will release an updated version of itsTerminal Problem Reporting Form in the New Year to coincide with the regulatory changes.