International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto

Parties with reservations, declarations and objections

Party	Reservations / Declarations	Objections
Algeria	Yes	No
Argentina	Yes	No
Australia	Yes	No
Barbados	Yes	No
Belgium	Yes	No
Brazil	Yes	No
Brunei	Yes	No
Bulgaria	Yes	No
Canada	Yes	Yes
Chile	Yes	No
China	Yes	No
Cuba	Yes	No
Cyprus	Yes	No
Denmark	Yes	No
Djibouti	Yes	No
Estonia	Yes	No
France	Yes	Yes
Ghana	Yes	No
Iceland	Yes	No
India	Yes	No
Indonesia	Yes	No
Ireland	Yes	No
Israel	Yes	No
Japan	Yes	No
Liberia	Yes	No
Malaysia	Yes	No
Malta	Yes	No
Mexico	Yes	No
Netherlands, the Kingdom of the	Yes	No
New Zealand	Yes	No
Norway	Yes	No
Oman	Yes	Yes
Republic of Korea, the	Yes	No
Romania	Yes	No
Russian Federation	Yes	No
Saint Kitts and Nevis	Yes	No
Seychelles	Yes	No
Singapore	Yes	No
South Africa	Yes	No
Spain	Yes	No
Switzerland	Yes	No
Syria	Yes	No
Türkiye	Yes	No
United Kingdom	Yes	No
United States of America	Yes	No
Vanuatu	Yes	No
Vietnam	Yes	No

Algeria

31-01-1989

The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria interprets the recourse to arbitration provided in article 10 of the present Convention as being applicable only with the prior agreement of all parties to the dispute.

Argentina

31-08-1993

The Republic of Argentina reserves its position in respect of the provision that disputes relating to the interpretation or application of this Convention as regards the exercise by a riparian State of its sovereign rights or its jurisdiction, are to be governed only by the arbitration procedures contemplated in Article X and Protocol II, where it is alleged that a riparian State has acted in breach of international rules and standards prescribed for the protection and preservation of the marine environment which are applicable to the riparian State and which have been established by this Convention.
The Republic of Argentina reserves its position in that it does not yet possess the equipment required by Rule 10 of Annex IV and by Rule 7 of Annex V, and cannot fulfil the guarantees laid down in these standards.

Australia

14-10-1987

Declaring, as permitted under article 14 of the Convention, that Australia will not be bound by Annexes III, IV and V thereof.

Barbados

06-05-1994

...that it does not accept Annex IV of the Convention.

Belgium

06-03-1984

With reference to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, and the Annexes, done at London on 2 November 1973, I hereby declare that Belgium does not yet accept Annexes III, IV and V of the Convention.
This declaration is made in accordance with the provisions of article 14.1 of the Convention.
Furthermore, I declare that the provisions of Annex I will be applied in accordance with the
recommendations in the circulars issued by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization under references MEPC/Circ.97 and MEPC/Circ.99.

Brazil

06-03-1998

[...] that the Brazilian Government agrees to be bound by Optional Annexes III, IV and V of the Convention.

Brunei

23-10-1986

In accordance with article 14 the Government of Brunei Darussalam hereby declares that it does not accept Annexes III, IV and V to the Convention.

Bulgaria

12-12-1984

The People's Republic of Bulgaria does not consider itself bound by the Annexes III, IV and V to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.

Canada

16-11-1992

1. Optional Annexes
In accordance with article 14 of the Convention Canada declares that it does not accept Annexes III, IV and V of the Convention at this time.
2. Arctic waters
Canada makes the following declarations based on Article 234 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, signed by Canada on 10 December, 1982:
(a) The Government of Canada considers that it has the right in accordance with international law to adopt and enforce special non-discrimination laws and regulations for the prevention, reduction and control of marine pollution from vessels in ice-covered waters where particularly severe climatic conditions and the presence of ice covering such waters for most of the year create obstructions or exceptional hazards to navigation, and pollution of the marine environment could cause major harm to or irreversible disturbance of the ecological balance.
(b) Consequently, Canada considers that its accession to the Protocol of 1978, as amended, relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (MARPOL 73/78) is without prejudice to such Canadian laws and regulations as are now or may in the future be established in respect of arctic waters within or adjacent to Canada.

Objection United States of America, 18-11-1993

...refer to the declarations concerning Arctic waters contained in the instrument of accession by the Government of Canada to the Protocol of 1978 to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as amended. The Government of the United States of America considers that Canada may enact and enforce only those laws and regulations, in respect of foreign shipping in Arctic waters, that are within 200 nautical miles from the baselines used to measure the breadth of the territorial sea determinded in accordance with international law:
-that have due regard to navigation and the protection and preservation of the marine environment based on the best available scientific evidence in Arctic wasters, and
-that are otherwise consistent with international law, including Articles 234 and 236 and other relevant provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Objection Belgium, 18-11-1993

...refer to the declararion made by Canada at the time of its accession to the Protocol of 1978 to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 1973) relating to Article 234 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982.
...takes note of this declaration by Canada and considers that it should be read in conformity with Articles 57, 234 and 236 of the United nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. In particular, the... Government recalls that Article 234 of that Convention applies within the limits of the exclusive economic zone or of a similar zone delimited in conformity with Article 57 of the Convention and that the laws and regulations contemplated in Article 234 shall have due regard to navigation and the protection and preservation of the marine environment based on the best available scientific evidence.

Objection Denmark, 18-11-1993

Objection France, 18-11-1993

Objection Germany, 18-11-1993

Objection Greece, 18-11-1993

Objection Italy, 18-11-1993

Objection Netherlands, the Kingdom of the, 18-11-1993

Objection Portugal, 18-11-1993

Objection Spain, 18-11-1993

Objection United Kingdom, 18-11-1993

Chile

10-10-1994

The Government of Chile does not accept Optional Annex V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, in accordance with article 14(1) of the Convention.

China

01-07-1983

The instrument of accession of the People's Republic of China contained a declaration in accordance with article 14 of the Convention that it "is not bound by Annexes III, IV and V of the ... Convention.

Cuba

21-12-1992

The Government of the Republic of Cuba, in accordance with article 14 of the International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, declares that it does not accept, for the time being, the Optional Annexes to the Convention.

Cyprus

22-06-1989

With the exception of Annexes III and IV of the Convention.

Denmark

27-11-1980

... The accession of Denmark is ... until further notice, subject to reservation with regard to the obligations of Greenland and the Faroe Islands under the Protocol.
With effect from 1 January 1997, Denmark withdrew the reservation with respect to the territory of Greenland with the exception of Optional Annex IV.

Djibouti

01-03-1990

...that Djibouti did not accept Annexes III, IV and V of the Convention.

Estonia

16-12-1991

The Republic of Estonia does not consider itself bound by Annexes III, IV and V of the Convention.

France

25-09-1981

French ships cannot be subject to the provisions of regulation 10 (paragraphs 2 and 3), as regards the Mediterranean Sea area only, and of regulation 12 of Annex I except when they have called at ports provided with the facilities required by those provisions.
Moreover, the French ships cannot be fitted with the equipment provided for in regulation 16 of the same Annex until such time as such equipment is actually available.

11-08-1982

As far as the Mediterranean Sea area only is concerned, the provisions of regulation 10 (paragraph 2) of Annex I of the Convention can be applied to tankers engaged in voyages within the Mediterranean only if such tankers are proceeding to a port equipped with the reception facilities required by regulation 12 of the Convention.
The second paragraph is deleted.

Objection Sweden, 23-07-1983

I am under instruction to state that the declaration, as corrected by the aforementioned communication, is regarded by the Swedish Government, as was the declaration in its original version, as a reservation which is not in conformity with paragraph 1 of article 14 of the 1973 Convention, nor compatible with the object and purpose of MARPOL 73/78. The Swedish Government therefore, is unable to accept the declaration made by the French Government.

Objection Norway, 12-08-1983

I am instructed to inform you that the Government of Norway has taken due note of the communication, which is understood to be a declaration on the part of the Government of France and not a reservation to the provisions of the Convention with the legal consequence such a formal reservation would have had, if reservations to Annex I had been admissible.

Objection Italy, 30-01-1984

... The Italian Government objects to the reservation on the part of France as specified in document PMP/Circ. 15 of the 13th August, 1982.
Said reservation is contrary to the spirit and the letter of rule 10, Annex I, of the above mentioned Convention in relation to paragraph 2 as well as paragraph 7 which makes the construction of collecting devices in the categories of ports specified in the document compulsory. Moreover the French reservation sets up a facultative trend where binding provisions exist, as per Annex I of the MARPOL Convention 1973/78, and would appear to be incompatible with the Italian legislation on the subject which lays down very restrictive principles.

Ghana

03-06-1991

... subject to reservations in respect of Article 14 of the Convention on Optional Annexes; Annexes III, IV and V of which the Republic of Ghana does not consider itself bound.

Iceland

25-06-1985

..that Iceland does not accept Annexes III, IV or V of the Convention.

India

24-09-1986

...that the Government of the Republic of India shall not be bound by the provisions of Annexes III, IV and V of the said Convention.

Indonesia

21-10-1986

1. In accordance with the provisions of article 14(1) of the International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia declares that it does not accept all provisions of Annexes III, IV and V of the present Convention.
2. The Government of the Republic of Indonesia understands the words 'international law' in
regulation 1(9) of Annex I of MARPOL 73/78 on the Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil to mean the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Ireland

06-01-1995

Declare that, in accordance with the facility under article 14 of the said Convention, Ireland does not accept (until further declaration) ANNEXES III and IV.

Israel

31-08-1983

excluding optional Annexes III, IV and V of the Convention.

Japan

09-06-1983

In giving effect to the provisions of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 in accordance with the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, Japan reserves the right:
1. to discharge its obligations under the provisions of Annex I to the Convention in accordance with the recommendations in the circulars issued by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization (MEPC/Circ.97 and MEPC/Circ.99) on the implementation of the said provisions; and
2. to discharge its obligations under the provisions of regulation 13(3), appendix II and appendix V of Annex II to the Convention in accordance with recommendations in the documents, similar in nature to the circulars referred to in paragraph (1), which shall be adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee on the implementation of the said provisions and appendices.

Liberia

28-10-1980

[...] excluding Optional Annexes III, IV and V.

Malaysia

31-01-1997

..... hereby formally declares its accession to the Convention as amended by the Protocol with the exception of Annex III and Annex IV.

Malta

21-06-1991

... that the Government of Malta does not accept Annexes III, IV and V of the Convention.

Mexico

23-04-1992

...that Mexico does not consider itself bound by optional Annexes III, IV and V of the Convention.

Netherlands, the Kingdom of the

30-06-1983

- that the Kingdom of the Netherlands accepts, for the Kingdom in Europe and for the
Netherlands Antilles, the said Convention ... and Protocol ...
- that the Kingdom of the Netherlands does not accept, either for the Kingdom in Europe or for the Netherlands Antilles, Annexes III, IV and V, and appendices thereto [of the Convention].
Declaration:
1. Since the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands acknowledges that full compliance with the discharge requirements of Annex I by ships is contingent upon the availability of adequate facilities for oily wastes as called for by the said Annex, it expresses its deep concern regarding the present inadequacy of such facilities in many ports of the world;
2. The provisions of Annex I will be implemented in compliance with the recommendations as contained in the circulars issued by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the
International Maritime Organization, under numbers MEPC/Circ.97 and MEPC/Circ.99.

New Zealand

25-09-1998

And declares that it does not accept Annex IV of the Protocol of 1978, except in relation to the Antarctic Special Area.

Norway

15-07-1980

The instrument of accession to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, deposited by the Kingdom of Norway was in respect of Annexes I, II, III and V.

Oman

13-03-1984

1. For the purposes of this Convention the term "within the jurisdiction" is interpreted to mean the jurisdiction presently applied by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman under the country's Marine Pollution Law of 1974 which extends to 50 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
2. With reference" to the obligation laid down under regulation 10, paragraph 7, subparagraph b(i); or regulation 12, paragraph 4 of Annex I concerning the reception facilities to be provided by the State Parties, the Government of the Sultanate of Oman wishes to declare that it intends to carry out this obligation but owing to a very high cost involved it is unlikely that it will be in a position to implement this provision before the next four to five years.

Objection Netherlands, the Kingdom of the, 15-03-1985

...the jurisdiction to be exercised by the sultanate of Oman under its Marine Pollution Law of 1974 beyond the limits of the territorial sea cannot exceed the jurisdiction recognized by international law.

Objection Germany, 13-08-1985

Republic of Korea, the

23-07-1984

The Republic of Korea declares pursuant to article 14 of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 that she is not bound by Annexes III, IV and V of the Convention.

Romania

15-04-1993

[...] that Optional Annexes III and IV be excluded.

Russian Federation

03-11-1983

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, while acceding to the Protocol of 1978 to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, does not accept optional Annexes III, IV and V to the above-mentioned Convention.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

24-12-1997

The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis will find it difficult on the practical level to implement the inspection and equipment requirements of MARPOL. There is concern about the ability to meet the equipment requirements. Secondly, there is concern about the necessary expertise to carry out the inspection process. Such expertise is very scarce in the Federation.

Seychelles

28-11-1990

...that the Republic of Seychelles does not consider itself bound by Annexes III, IV and V of the Convention.

Singapore

01-11-1990

... that it will be bound by annexes III, IV and V of the Convention.

South Africa

28-11-1984

...that the Government of the Republic of South Africa does not accept Annexes III, IV and V of the Convention.

Spain

06-07-1984

...that it does not accept Annexes III, IV and V of the Convention.

Switzerland

15-12-1987

The Federal Council declares that Switzerland does not consider itself bound by Annexes 3, 4 and 5 of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.

Syria

09-11-1988

1. The Syrian Arab Republic does not consider itself bound by Annexes III, IV and V of the
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973.
2. The Syrian Arab Republic does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 10 of the above-mentioned Convention which provides that any dispute between two or more Parties to the Convention concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention which is not settled by negotiation or by any other means shall be submitted, upon request by any of the Parties involved, to international arbitration. The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic declares that it is necessary, in each individual case, to obtain the agreement and acceptance of all Parties to the dispute to refer it to international arbitration.
3. The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic declares that, to the fullest extent possible, it will apply its efforts and material resources to carrying out the provisions of regulations 10 to 12 of Annex I of the above-mentioned Convention with regard to the construction of reception facilities in Syrian oil ports and terminals.

Türkiye

10-10-1990

The instrument of accession of the Republic of Turkey was in respect of Annexes I, II and V of the Convention.

United Kingdom

22-05-1980

The instrument of ratification of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland contained a statement to the effect that the Government of the United Kingdom "...[reserves] the right not to apply the said Protocol in respect of any territory for whose international relations the Government of the United Kingdom is responsible until three months after the date on which the Government of the United Kingdom notify the Secretary-General of the [International Maritime Organization] that the said Protocol shall apply in respect of any such territory.".
The instrument of ratification was also accompanied by a declaration under article 14 of the Convention that the United Kingdom does not accept any one or all of Annexes III, IV and V (referred to as 'Optional Annexes' of the Convention.
The instrument of acceptance of Optional Annexes III, IV and V contained a statement to the effect that the Government of the United Kingdom "...[reserves] the right not to apply the said Annexes [III, IV and V] in respect of any territory for whose international relations the Government of the United Kingdom is responsible until three months after the date on which the Government of the United Kingdom notifies the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization that the said Annexes shall apply in respect of any such territory.".

United States of America

12-08-1980