A summary of the decisions taken at the fifty-first session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 51) held from 29 March to 2 April 2004 is given hereunder for your information.

1. Adoption of Mandatory Instruments
The following amendments to Annex IV and Annex V of MARPOL 73/78 were adopted at this session.

(1) MARPOL 73/78 - Annex IV (See Attachment 1)
The revised MARPOL Annex IV containing regulations for the prevention of pollution by sewage from ships was adopted and is expected to enter into force on 1 August 2005.
The revised MARPOL Annex IV is the revision of original Annex IV, which was entered into force on 27 September 2003. The outline of Annex IV of MARPOL 73/78 and the details for the implementation are provided in ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0545 issued on 4 September 2003.
(2) MARPOL 73/78 - Annex V (See Attachment 2)
The amendments the Appendix "Form of Garbage Record Book" to MARPOL Annex V was adopted and will be entered into force on 1 August 2005. "Cargo residues" is newly added as garbage category 4.

2. Mandatory Instruments to be adopted by MEPC52 (in October 2004)
Draft amendments to MARPOL regulations and IBC Code were approved with a view to adoption at MEPC 52 and an expected entry into force date of 1 January 2007.

(1) MARPOL Annex I
The revised MARPOL Annex I, which rewrite the current Annex I for user-friendly, was finally approved. New items (a) and (b) below will be included.
(I) Pump-room bottom protection (MARPOL Annex I)
For oil tankers of 5,000DWT and above constructed on or after 1 January 2007, the pump-room shall be provided with a double bottom tank or space. The depth of double bottom should not less than B/15 meters or 2 meters, whichever is lesser (the minimum 1 meter).

(To be continued)