The ability of ships to comply with the discharge requirements of MARPOL depends largely upon the availability of adequate port reception facilities, especially within Special Areas. The lack of reception facilities in many ports worldwide poses a serious threat of pollution to the marine environment.

At its sixty-fifth session (May 2013), the Marine Environment Protection Committee agreed to the recommendation made by the Sub-Committee on Flag State Implementation, at its twenty-first session, to reissue MEPC.1/Circ.469/Rev.1 by means of MEPC.1/Circ.469/Rev.2 containing the necessary consequential amendments following the entry into force of the revised MARPOL Annex V on 1 January 2013

IMO has issued Circular MEPC.1/Circ.469/Rev.2 regarding the revised consolidated format for reporting alleged inadequacies of port reception facilities. According to the Circular, Port States should ensure the provision of proper arrangements to consider and respond appropriately and effectively to reports of inadequacies, informing IMO and the reporting flag State of the outcome of their investigation. Shipping companies should be encouraged to include the provisions of this circular in their procedures for shipboard operations required under section 7 of the ISM Code and Member Governments are invited to bring this circular to the attention of all Parties concerned.