RECALLING Article 38 of the Convention on the International
Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Committee,
NOTING regulation 5(1)(a) 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), defines the Mediterranean Sea area as a Special Area
under the said Annex,
NOTING ALSO the definition of the Special Area under MARPOL
Annex 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 garbage, is
required,
NOTING FURTHER the information provided at MEPC 57 by Albania,
Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon,
Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia
and Turkey, representing States bordering the Mediterranean Sea 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 5(4)(a) of MARPOL
Annex V,
HAVING CONSIDERED the matter to establish the date, on which
the discharge requirements of regulation
5(1)(a) of MARPOL Annex V in respect of the Mediterranean Sea
area Special Area shall take effect,
1 DECIDES that the discharge requirements for
Special Areas in regulation 5 of MARPOL Annex V for the Mediterranean
Sea area Special Area shall take effect on 1 May 2009, in accordance
with the requirements set out in 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 Mediterranean Sea area;
3 REQUESTS the Secretary-General to notify, in
conformity with regulation 5(4)(b) of
MARPOL Annex V, all Parties to MARPOL of the aforementioned decision
by 30 April 2008; and
4 FURTHER REQUESTS the Secretary-General to notify
all Members of the Organization of the aforementioned decision.