What is the special areas under MARPOL ?

As per MARPOL definition, “Special areas means sea area where for recognized technical reasons in relation to its oceanographically and ecological condition and to the particular character of its traffic the adoption of special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution by Garbage /Oil/ Noxious Liquid Substances (NLS)/ ballast water / Air pollution control is required”

Special areas under MARPOL are as follows:

1)  Annex 1

Mediterranean Sea / Baltic Sea / Black Sea / Red Sea / Gulf area

Gulf of Aden / Antarctic area / North-West European Waters/

Oman area of the Arabian Sea/ Southern South African waters

2) Annex 2

Antarctic area

3)  Annex 4

Baltic Sea

4) Annex 5

Mediterranean Sea / Baltic Sea / Black Sea / Red Sea / 

Gulfs area / North Sea / Antarctic Area (south of latitude 60 degrees south)

Wider Caribbean Region including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea

5) Annexe 6

Baltic Sea (SOx, NOx)

North Sea (SOx, NOx)

North American ECA (NOx, SOx and PM)

United States & Caribbean Sea ECA (NOx, SOx and PM)

Please be noted that some special areas above have not yet taken effect even though they are adopted. for more detail, please refer below IMO website.

https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/Special-Areas-Marpol.aspx