GovWire

Notice to all: owners, ship operators and managers, charterers, master and officers of merchant ships, skippers of fishing vessels; shipbuilders, port authorities, operators of fixed or floating platforms and drilling rigs and recognised organisations.

This is an amendment to, and replaces, MGN 631. It includes new information regarding exemptions for unmanned non-self-propelled barges.

This notice should be read in conjunction with the following:

• Annex IV (Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships) of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 (MARPOL) as modified by the 1978 and 1997 Protocols, including all amendments to that Annex to date.
• The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (the Polar Code) (Part II-A chapter 4 and II-B).
• The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/620).
• The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Port Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/1809) as amended.
• MGN 563 (M+F) Amendment 1 Guidance on the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Port Waste Reception Facilities) Amendments Regulations 2003 and amendments.
• The Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/1025) as amended.
• IMO Resolution 227(64) 2012 Guidelines on Implementation of Effluent Standards and Performance Tests for Sewage Treatment Plants, as amended ¹
• The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution and Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (SI 2022/1234).
• MGN 676 (M) Unmanned Non-Self-Propelled Barges MARPOL Annexes I and IV Exemptions

¹ Resolution Mepc.227(64) (2012 Guidelines On Implementation Of Effluent Standards And Performance Tests For Sewage Treatment Plants) Was Amended By Resolution Mepc.284(70).