Your vessel is programmed to transit the Antarctic Treaty area south of 60 degrees south. What special MARPOL restrictions apply that do not apply in normal ocean areas?

A. Antarctic special area restrictions: Annex I — zero discharge of any oil or oily mixture; Annex II — zero discharge of NLS or ballast water from NLS tanks; Annex V — zero discharge of any garbage (including food waste) — all must be retained for port disposal; Annex VI — no incineration of garbage containing heavy metals or halogens. Additionally, the Antarctic Treaty requirements (ATS Protocol on Environmental Protection) prohibit introduction of non-native species, prohibit mineral resource activities, and impose further fuel restrictions in certain areas. Fuel oil carriage restrictions (MARPOL Annex I Reg 43A) prohibit heavy fuel oil carriage or use in the Antarctic from March 2025 for most vessels.

B. The Antarctic special area has the same rules as the Baltic. Food waste beyond 12nm and comminuted food waste beyond 3nm are permitted.

C. Special area status means a lower permissible discharge limit (50 ppm for oil rather than 15 ppm) because the area is remote from human habitation.

D. MARPOL special areas only restrict oil discharges. Garbage, sewage and air emissions are governed by the Antarctic Treaty separately and not covered by MARPOL in that area.

A. Annex I: Oil (mandatory). Annex II: Noxious Liquid Substances in bulk — NLS (mandatory). Annex III: Harmful Substances in packaged form (mandatory). Annex IV: Sewage (mandatory for new ships from 2003; existing ships phased in). Annex V: Garbage (mandatory). Annex VI: Air Pollution from ships — SOx, NOx, ODS, VOC, shipboard incineration (mandatory). All six are now mandatory for parties to MARPOL 73/78.

B. MARPOL has three annexes: oil, garbage, and air pollution. Sewage and cargo residues are covered under SOLAS Chapter XII.

C. Annex I covers oil and Annex VI covers all other pollutants. The other annexes are guidance documents only.

D. MARPOL Annexes I and II are mandatory. Annexes III to VI are optional — each flag state decides which to ratify independently.

A. Food waste: may be discharged at least 12nm from nearest land (comminuted/ground food waste at 3nm or more). Plastics: ZERO discharge anywhere at sea — a complete ban regardless of distance or location. Paper, rags, glass, metal, bottles: minimum 12nm from land (not in special areas). Garbage mixed with other substances having different discharge requirements must meet the stricter standard. A Garbage Management Plan and Garbage Record Book are required for vessels 100 GT+.

B. All garbage except plastic may be discharged beyond 12nm from land. Plastic is prohibited only in special areas.

C. Food waste may be discharged anywhere at sea as it is biodegradable. Plastic may be discharged beyond 25nm from land if shredded.

D. All garbage discharge is prohibited in all areas. MARPOL Annex V requires all garbage to be retained and delivered to port reception facilities.