GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships)

Unlike SOLAS, which governs onboard safety, MARPOL addresses environmental protection: the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships is the IMO's principal environmental treaty, structured around six annexes covering oil residues, noxious liquid substances, harmful packaged goods, sewage, garbage, and air emissions.

Quick Answer

Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/Pages/International-Convention-for-the-Prevention-of-Pollution-from-Ships-(MARPOL).aspx

Category

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Reading time

1 min

Words

117

Mentioned in

–

Definition & Explanation

Unlike SOLAS, which governs onboard safety, MARPOL addresses environmental protection: the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships is the IMO's principal environmental treaty, structured around six annexes covering oil residues, noxious liquid substances, harmful packaged goods, sewage, garbage, and air emissions. Shipowners must maintain Oil Record Books, segregate waste streams, operate approved treatment systems, and report any discharges. For freight forwarders and charterers, MARPOL compliance verification is standard due diligence; breaches attract substantial fines, port detentions, and – in cases of deliberate oil discharge – criminal liability. Annex VI, which caps sulphur content in marine fuels and drives the shift to low-sulphur fuels, exhaust gas scrubbers, or alternative energy sources, has particular commercial relevance.

Next steps

Matching tools and partners

Compare IncotermsClarify duties, cost and riskOpen Check demurrage/detentionCalculate standing charges and free timeOpen Find HS codeDetermine the tariff number for customsOpen Find a matching partnerFreight forwarders and logistics partners worldwideOpen

Related Terms

You might also be interested in these terms

Inventory Management System

An inventory management system (IMS) is software – typically embedded as a module within ERP or warehouse management system (WMS) …

Capacity Planning

Capacity planning in logistics begins the moment order volumes fluctuate or seasonal peaks become foreseeable: warehouse space, tr…

deep-sea shipping

Deep-sea shipping is the ocean transport of goods and passengers across major maritime distances, primarily on intercontinental tr…

Inventory Management

Effective inventory management ensures that the right goods are available in the right quantity at the right time—without locking …

Delivery terms

Delivery terms are the contractual provisions agreed between seller and buyer that define where and when goods change hands, who b…

Delivery Schedule Control System

A production line on the verge of standstill because an inbound component is held up in customs clearance—that is precisely the sc…

⚖️ ICC Incoterms 2020

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Analyze all 11 Incoterms 2020: cost matrix, risk timeline, insurance gap detector and customs responsibility – free, no login required.

Incoterms Simulator →

Connect

Find a matching partner on this lane

Verified forwarders, ranked by coverage and profile — premium capped at 10%.

Search partners

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Free · No password · Never a paywall. Weekly top news and facts from logistics.

Cite this page

Writing a report, paper or LinkedIn post? Use one of these citation templates.

Recommended format: Source: Freight Academy – MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) (https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/marpol-international-convention-for-the-prevention-of-pollution-from-ships), accessed 2026-11-05
APA style: Freight Academy Editorial Team. (2026). MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships). Freight Academy. https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/marpol-international-convention-for-the-prevention-of-pollution-from-ships
BibTeX: @misc{marpolinternationalconvention2026, title = {MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships)}, author = {{Freight Academy Editorial Team}}, year = {2026}, url = {https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/marpol-international-convention-for-the-prevention-of-pollution-from-ships}, note = {Freight Academy, accessed 2026-11-05} }

Check the sources and update status on this page.

Community Questions & Answers

Share your knowledge, ask follow-up questions, or add practical insights to this page. Every contribution is moderated before publication.

No community answers yet. Be the first.