In January changes to the way in which Cargo residues were classified came into effect by way of changes to MARPOL Annex V (see our client alert of 8 March 2013; Revised MARPOL Annex V: Just Who Should Take Out the Trash?).  These changes were met with some concern by both charterers and owners in that any residues of cargo designated hazardous to the marine environment HME were now to be discharged to reception facilities ashore and could no longer be disposed of on passage.

For further comments on these changes, please see the recent Reed Smith Client Alert by Richard Gunn, Diane Galloway, Lisa Mason, Sarah Rogers and David Handley.