New Annex VI to Marpol -Ozone Depleting Substances

Ships built after the in force date of Annex VI will be prohibited from being fitted with installations (i.e., systems, material, and portable and fixed equipment) which contain ozone depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons. Installations containing hydrochlorofluoro-carbons are however permitted until 1 January 2020, under the provisions of the 1987 Montreal Protocol. Recharging of existing installations on board from bank inventories may continue.

Application of this regulation to ships carrying refrigerated cargo containers which contain ozone depleting substances was considered to be already covered by the Montreal Protocol.

Continued use of perfluorocarbons (PFCs) as a fire extinguishing agent will be urgently considered by MEPC41 (March 1998) with a view to establishing an immediate moratorium of PFCs given their excessive atmospheric lifetimes and their extremely high global warming potential.