Discharge standards

If you need more detail about discharge standards, see the marine order and legislation for full discharge requirements and definitions or the current texts of MARPOL.

From nearest land

MARPOL contains the term 'from the nearest land'. The nearest land boundary off the north eastern coast of Australia extends around the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef and part of the Torres Strait region. Within this area no discharges are generally allowed.

Where MARPOL does not state a distance from the nearest land, certain discharges may be allowed in accordance with the relevant MARPOL Annex.

Special areas

Different discharge standards apply in MARPOL special areas. While Australia does not have a designated special area, some stricter requirements have been applied under the different annexes of MARPOL for the Antarctic area, which is the sea area south of latitude 60° S. MARPOL also applies the international code for ships operating in polar waters (the Polar code). The Polar code provides additional environmental protection to polar waters (the Arctic and Antarctic areas). 

For more information on the MARPOL Antarctic requirements, see the text of the convention.

Particularly sensitive sea area

MARPOL discharge standards apply in Australia’s particularly sensitive sea area (Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and Coral Sea), noting the nearest land boundary.

Ports and parks

Stricter requirements may apply to vessels when in Australian ports, state or territory waters or the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This should be checked with the relevant port, state, territory, or Commonwealth authorities (GBRMPA) prior to discharge in these areas.

Oil MARPOL Annex I—applies to all vessels (table 1)

Garbage MARPOL Annex V—applies to all vessels (table 2)

This table provides a summary of discharge requirements under MARPOL Annex V. For full details refer to MARPOL consolidated edition 2017, Annex V, and the 2017 Guidelines for the Implementation of MARPOL Annex V.

All ships and small vessels arriving into Australian waters on an international voyage will be subject to Australian biosecurity requirements and additional restrictions will apply, particularly in relation to food and other waste onboard. More information is available from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

1. Under MARPOL Annex V, the areas of: the Mediterranean Sea; the Baltic Sea; the Black Sea; the Red Sea; the Gulfs area; the North Sea; the Antarctic area; and the wider Caribbean region (including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea) are provided with a higher level of protection than other sea areas. Further information on special areas can be found in circular MEPC.1/Circ.778/Rev.1.
2. Small quantities of food released directly into the sea for the specific purpose of fish feeding in connection with fishing or tourist operations is permitted.
3. The en route requirement does not apply to the discharge of food wastes, where it is clear that retention on board presents an imminent health risk to the people on board. See MARPOL Annex V, Regulation 7.2.1.
4. The discharge of introduced avian products, including poultry and poultry parts, is prohibited within the Antarctic special area (sea area south of latitude 600S), except where those introduced avian products are incinerated, autoclaved or otherwise treated to be made sterile.
5. When in port, check with the port authority as local regulations may also apply. The above restrictions do not apply to the wash down of cargo residues from deck areas of vessels undertaken for safety purposes including:
   • 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
   • Where residues may cause a serious safety hazard to personnel if spillages are not cleaned from deck areas, adjacent walkways and working areas.
6. Cargo residues are considered to be harmful to the marine environment if they are residues of solid bulk cargoes which are classified according to the criteria of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). See Resolution MEPC.295(71) 2017 Guidelines for the Implementation of MARPOL Annex V and our fact sheet about managing solid bulk cargo residues in Australian waters for further information.
7. Discharge is permitted where conditions (a) and (b), as follows, both apply: (a) both the port of departure and the next port of destination are within the special area and the ship will not transit outside the special area between theses ports; and (b) if no adequate reception facilities are available at these ports. See MARPOL Annex V Regulation 6.1.2.
8. Vessels at anchorage for a period of time with empty holds may discharge hold bilge water through the ships’ fixed piping bilge drainage system as long as the water is not directly related to a hold washing/cleaning operation.
9. If a threat to human health and safety of the crew or the remaining live animals on board exists, discharge to take place greater than or equal to 12 nautical miles from the nearest land.
10. In all cases check with local authorities as local regulations may apply. Within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, as far as practicable from reefs and islands.
11. Cleaning agents or additives in cargo hold, deck and external surfaces washwater are considered harmful to the marine environment if it is a 'harmful substance' in accordance with the criteria in MARPOL Annex III; and contains any components which are known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR). See Resolution MEPC.295(71) 2017 Guidelines for the Implementation of MARPOL Annex V for further information.

Air emissions MARPOL Annex VI—applies to all vessels (table 4)

1. Emission limits where rated engine speed is greater than or equal to 130 kilowatt are provided in Regulation 13 of MARPOL Annex VI.
2. Fuel oil to be purchased from a registered supplier.

Noxious liquid substances MARPOL Annex II and harmful packaged substances MARPOL Annex III (table 5)

1. For ships constructed before 1 January 2007, the discharge into the sea of residues of substances in category Z below the waterline is not mandatory.

Additional local requirements (table 6)