MARPOL Annex VI

The proposed rules detail the exact requirements, based on the Annex VI requirements and the proposals detailed in the Invitation to Comment document.

See Appendix 2 for the full text of the offences and penalties which will be included in the Maritime Transport (Offences) Regulations 1998.

Background

Following public consultation in 2019, Cabinet agreed that New Zealand will accede to Annex VI. By signing up to Annex VI, New Zealand commits to implementing a range of obligations that will contribute to international action to reduce air pollution from shipping.

The proposed rules will apply to New Zealand-flagged ships and foreign-flagged ships that visit New Zealand. It is a detailed and multifaceted set of rules and it is important all ship operators and ports are aware of what they will need to do to comply.

Maritime NZ will be the agency responsible for monitoring and enforcing the Annex VI requirements for ships. Maritime NZ’s desired outcome is that ship operators contribute to a reduction in a range of airborne pollutants from ships by demonstrating timely compliance with Annex VI requirements.

IMO periodically amends Annex VI. New requirements will be added to Annex VI shortly. These additional requirements have already been included in the proposed rules, given New Zealand will need to implement them at the same time as it implements the current Annex VI requirements.

Maritime NZ worked on the principle that Annex VI requirements should apply to all New Zealand-flagged ships in the same way as much as possible. However, the Invitation to Comment includes Maritime NZ’s proposals to tailor some requirements for domestic travelling ships to suit New Zealand’s context. The proposed rules detail how both the Annex VI requirements and the proposals detailed in the Invitation to Comment document would be applied in New Zealand.