Under the framework of the EU-funded SAFEMED IV project, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) staff delivered a training on MARPOL Annex VI on 16-17 July in Haifa, Israel. 29 participants from the Israeli Maritime Administration attended the 16-hour course.

The main objective of the training was to deliver a thorough overview of MARPOL Annex VI. The training also included practical exercises on enforcement practices as well as a presentation on the EU Dimension about Port Reception Facilities, Sulphur content in marine fuel and Green Houses Gases. Also, the Israeli Maritime Administration delivered a short presentation regarding the future plans for ratification, the current arrangements and their implementation.

This training course is the first of a series of activities targeting beneficiary countries which have not yet ratified MARPOL Annex VI so as to facilitate the ratification process and bring them in full compliance with its provisions.

MARPOL Annex VI, first adopted in 1997, limits the main air pollutants contained in ships exhaust gas, including sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrous oxides (NOx), and prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances (ODS). MARPOL Annex VI also regulates shipboard incineration, and the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from tankers.

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) is implementing SAFEMED IV project for technical assistance bringing together national, European and international stakeholders with the aim to raise the safety, security and protection of marine environment standards in the Mediterranean sea, with a view to implement the maritime aspects of the UfM Regional Transport Action Plan 2014-2020.

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Press Release

European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)