Singapore has become a party to Annex VI of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78). The instrument of accession was deposited with the IMO on 10 August 2000.

MARPOL 73/78 is a key international treaty adopted by the IMO for the prevention of pollution from ships. Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78 prescribes regulations to control air pollution from ships. The Annex establishes regulations on a number of elements, including, among others, placing a global cap of 4.5% m/m on the sulphur content of ships' fuel oil; prohibiting the deliberate emission of ozone-depleting substances such as halons and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), as well as the on-board incineration of certain products such as contaminated packaging materials; and regulating the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from tankers in ports or terminals and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from diesel engines.

The Annex also prescribes requirements to control the quality of fuel oil used for combustion purposes. The Annex applies to all vessels including yachts, fishing vessels, offshore platforms and drilling rigs.

Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78 has yet to enter into force. It will enter into force internationally one year after at least 15 countries, representing more than 50% of the world merchant fleet tonnage, have become party to the Protocol. Singapore is only the third country, after Norway and Sweden, to accede to Annex VI. Together, the three countries account for approximately 9% of world tonnage, with Singapore alone contributing about 4%.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has consulted the shipping community including shipyards and terminal operators, as well as the Economic Development Board (EDB) on Singapore's accession to the Annex. In July 1999, the MPA issued Marine Circular No. 15/1999 to shipowners to provide them with early information of the requirements of Annex VI.

Singapore's accession to Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78 before it has even entered into force not only demonstrates our commitment to prevent pollution from ships, but also our support for the work of the IMO. We hope that our accession to Annex VI will encourage other countries to follow suit, so as to bring the Annex into force soon.

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