RECALLING Article 38 of the Convention on the International
Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Committee,
NOTING regulation 1.11.5 of
Annex I and regulation 5(1)(e) of
Annex V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution
from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto
(MARPOL 73/78), define the Gulfs area as a Special Area under Annex I and V respectively,
as adopted in 1973,
NOTING ALSO the definition of the Special Area under MARPOL Annex I and V,
i.e. a sea area where for recognized technical reasons in relation
to its oceanographical and ecological condition and to the particular
character of its traffic the adoption of special mandatory methods
for the prevention of pollution of the sea by oil and by garbage,
respectively, is required,
NOTING FURTHER the information provided in document MEPC
56/8/2, submitted by Bahrain, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Kuwait,
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, representing
all States bordering Gulfs area Special Area, that adequate reception
facilities are provided in all major ports within the said Special
Area, in accordance with the provisions of regulation 38.4 of MARPOL Annex
I and regulation 5(4)(a) of MARPOL
Annex V,
HAVING CONSIDERED the matter to establish the date, on which
the discharge requirements of regulation
1.11.5 of MARPOL Annex I and regulation
5(1)(e) of MARPOL Annex V in respect of the Gulfs area Special
Area shall take effect,
1 DECIDES that the discharge requirements for
Special Areas in regulations 15 and 34 of MARPOL Annex I and regulation 5 of MARPOL Annex V for the
Gulfs area Special Area shall take effect on 1 August 2008, in accordance
with the requirements set out in regulation
38.6.1 of MARPOL Annex I and regulation
5(4)(b) of MARPOL Annex V;
2 ENCOURAGES Member Governments and industry groups
to comply immediately on a voluntary basis with the Special Area requirements
for the Gulfs area;
3 REQUESTS the Secretary-General to notify, in
conformity with regulation 38.6 of
MARPOL Annex I and regulation 5(4)(b) of
MARPOL Annex V, all Parties to MARPOL 73/78 of the aforementioned
decision by 31 July 2007; and
4 FURTHER REQUESTS the Secretary-General to notify
all Members of the Organization of the aforementioned decision.