MARPOL Convention
MARPOL Convention is the International Maritime Organization treaty, adopted in 1973 and combined with a 1978 protocol, that sets rules to prevent pollution from ships by oil, chemicals, packaged harmful substances, sewage, garbage and air emissions.
What it requires
Ships of member flag states must meet six technical annexes. Annex III requires harmful substances in packaged form to be packed, marked, labelled and stowed according to the IMDG Code. Annex VI caps fuel sulphur at 0.50% globally and 0.10% in emission control areas, limits nitrogen oxides, and since 2023 requires energy efficiency ratings (EEXI and CII). New Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea ECAs took effect in March 2026, with sulphur limits from March 2027.
Why it matters
MARPOL shapes ocean freight costs and dangerous goods paperwork for any business that imports by sea. Its air emission rules drive the fuel surcharges carriers bill, and its Annex III links packaged hazardous cargo to the IMDG Code, so a shipper who misdeclares hazmat can have containers rejected. For example, an e-commerce seller importing lithium battery products or aerosol cosmetics must have the supplier declare them correctly under IMDG, or the carrier can refuse the booking. Proposed net-zero amendments to Annex VI were not adopted in 2025 and remained under negotiation in 2026.
Related laws
Sources
Not legal advice.