Maritime English Practice: Exercises on the MARPOL Convention

Maritime English is the standardized English language and terminology used in the global maritime industry for safe and efficient communication among seafarers and professionals on board ships, in ports, and during ship-to-ship or ship-to-shore interactions. It is a specialized form of English that includes technical terms, maritime jargon, and standardized phrases like Standard Maritime Communication Phrases (SMCP) to prevent misunderstandings, ensure safety during emergencies, and facilitate trade and daily operations in the international shipping environment.

The IMO Model Course 3.17: Maritime English is the international standard for teaching and learning the specialized language used at sea. It provides a crucial framework to ensure clear and effective communication among multi-lingual crews, which is fundamental for maritime safety, security, and environmental protection.

Here is a prepared exercise on the MARPOL Convention to practice key Maritime English terminology and procedures.

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Section 1 – Translate into your native language

MARPOL Annex I: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil

Oil is one of the most common types of marine pollution, and Annex I of MARPOL deals specifically with how ships must prevent oil spills and oily waste discharges into the sea. According to international law, ships are prohibited from discharging oily mixtures unless they meet strict conditions, such as being processed through an approved oil filtering system and recorded properly in the Oil Record Book. Cadets must understand that oil residues, sludge, and bilge water are not only dangerous to marine ecosystems but also highly regulated substances. The responsibility of the ship’s crew includes operating the oily water separator correctly, monitoring oil content meters, and ensuring that no bypass of the system is attempted. Violations of Annex I can lead to severe penalties, including detention of the vessel and criminal charges against the responsible officers. This Annex is essential because it teaches seafarers that technical skill, environmental awareness, and professional ethics are inseparable parts of maritime service.

Il petrolio è uno dei tipi più comuni di inquinamento marino, e l’Allegato I della MARPOL tratta specificamente di come le navi devono prevenire sversamenti di petrolio e scarichi di rifiuti oleosi in mare. Secondo il diritto internazionale, alle navi è vietato scaricare miscele oleose a meno che non siano rispettate condizioni rigorose, come il trattamento attraverso un sistema approvato di filtraggio dell’olio e la corretta registrazione nel Registro degli Idrocarburi (Oil Record Book). I cadetti devono comprendere che i residui oleosi, i fanghi (sludge) e le acque di sentina non sono solo pericolosi per gli ecosistemi marini, ma sono anche sostanze altamente regolamentate. La responsabilità dell’equipaggio della nave comprende l’uso corretto del separatore di acque oleose (Oily Water Separator), il monitoraggio dei misuratori di contenuto d’olio (oil content meters) e la garanzia che non venga mai tentato un bypass del sistema. Le violazioni dell’Allegato I possono comportare gravi sanzioni, tra cui la detenzione della nave e procedimenti penali contro gli ufficiali responsabili. Questo Allegato è fondamentale perché insegna ai marittimi che la competenza tecnica, la consapevolezza ambientale e l’etica professionale sono parti inseparabili del servizio marittimo.

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Section 2 – Listen to the audio and fill in the missing words

MARPOL Annex II: Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk

Annex II concerns ships that carry ——– ——— substances in bulk, such as chemical tankers. These cargoes may be colourless or ————  in the sea, but they can be extremely —————————  and human health. Therefore, every discharge operation is strictly controlled, and only specific categories of substances can be discharged under ———–   ——— . Each chemical cargo is classified into categories (-, -, -, or OS – Other Substances) depending on how harmful it is. For example, Category X substances are considered —–  ——-  and cannot be discharged at sea at all. Cadets must learn that Annex II requires ships to have procedures approved in a Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan for Noxious Liquid Substances (——– -NLS). Communication in English is vital when officers exchange cargo documents, Chemical Data Sheets, or ——– ——— ———  with port state control officers. Clear and correct language ensures ————   and builds trust with maritime authorities.

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Section 3 –  Grammar and Sentence Practice

MARPOL Annex III: Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried in Packaged Form

Unlike Annex II, which applies to bulk chemicals, Annex III regulates harmful substances carried in packaged form, including drums, containers, portable tanks, and freight vehicles. The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code provides detailed requirements on classification, packing, marking, labeling, documentation, and stowage of such cargoes. Cadets must understand that misdeclared or improperly stowed dangerous goods can cause fire, explosion, or leakage at sea, endangering both the vessel and the marine environment. Under Annex III, every package must display the correct label and identification, and the cargo manifest must clearly indicate hazardous substances. During cargo operations, officers and cadets must be able to read and use technical English expressions from the IMDG Code, such as “marine pollutant,” “UN number,” and “segregation requirements.” This section trains future officers to handle cargo with care, respect safety regulations, and communicate effectively during inspections and emergencies.

1. Rewrite the following sentence in the passive voice:
“The crew packed the dangerous goods without following the IMDG Code.”

2. Make a conditional sentence (Type 1) using this situation:
A cadet misdeclares dangerous goods in the cargo manifest.

(👉 Hint: A conditional sentence (Type 1) has the form:
If + Present Simple, … will + base verb.
Example: If the officer finds an error, the ship will be delayed.)

3. Use relative clauses to join these two sentences:
“Annex III regulates packaged harmful substances.”
“Packaged harmful substances can cause fire or explosion if stowed improperly.”

Choose the correct option:

A. Annex III regulates packaged harmful substances, which can cause fire or explosion if stowed improperly.
B. Annex III regulates packaged harmful substances, that can cause fire or explosion if stowed improperly.
C. Annex III regulates packaged harmful substances, who can cause fire or explosion if stowed improperly.
D. Annex III regulates packaged harmful substances, where can cause fire or explosion if stowed improperly.
E. Annex III regulates packaged harmful substances, whom can cause fire or explosion if stowed improperly.

4. Complete the sentence with the correct modal verb (must / may / should/could/might):
Every package of dangerous goods ______ display the correct label and identification.

5. Write one sentence in the present perfect tense to report a ship’s action under Annex III:
(👉 Hint: The present perfect tense uses has/have + past participle.
Example: The crew has completed the safety inspection.)

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Section 4 – Vocabulary and Translation Focus

MARPOL Annex IV: Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships

Annex IV addresses the discharge of sewage into the sea, which can cause serious health risks and degrade water quality in coastal areas. Sewage includes human waste, drainage from toilets, urinals, and medical premises, as well as mixtures of waste water from wash basins and showers. To comply with Annex IV, every ship must have approved equipment or arrangements for sewage management. This can be one of the following:

1. A sewage treatment plant (STP)– capable of treating (decomposing with aero bacteria) and disinfecting sewage before discharge.
2. A comminuting and disinfecting system – which grinds and disinfects sewage to make it safer for discharge.
3. A sewage holding tank – where sewage is stored on board and discharged later at port reception facilities.

The choice depends on the size of the ship, its operating area, and the voyage length.

The discharge of untreated (non treated) sewage is only permitted at certain distances from the nearest land and under specific conditions. Cadets must become familiar with technical vocabulary such as “disinfecting unit,” “biological treatment,” and “holding capacity.” They must also practice giving clear oral reports during shipboard inspections, for example: “Our sewage treatment plant is fully operational and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.” Understanding and applying Annex IV prepares cadets to safeguard public health, respect coastal communities, and maintain the ship’s compliance record.

1. Explain the meaning of the term “sewage treatment plant” in your own words.

A sewage treatment plant on a ship is a system that cleans waste water and human waste so that it can be safely discharged into the sea without harming health or the environment.

2. Translate into your native language:
“The discharge of untreated sewage is only permitted at certain distances from the nearest land and under specific conditions.”

“Lo scarico di acque reflue non trattate è consentito solo a determinate distanze dalla terra più vicina e a condizioni specifiche.”

3. Findone technical English term  in the text that you think are most difficult to translate, and explain why.

Comminuting and disinfecting system → Difficult because “comminuting” is a less common technical word meaning “grinding or breaking into smaller pieces,” and there is not always a direct equivalent in everyday language.

4. Explain in your own words what is meant by the term “biological treatment” in the context of Annex IV.

Biological treatment is a process in which bacteria and microorganisms break down sewage so that harmful substances are removed before the water is discharged into the sea.

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Section 5 – Translate from Italian(your native language) into English

MARPOL Annex V: Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships

L’Allegato V riguarda i rifiuti, che possono sembrare innocui rispetto al petrolio o ai prodotti chimici, ma rappresentano una delle forme più visibili di inquinamento marino. I rifiuti includono plastica, rifiuti alimentari, rifiuti domestici, oli da cucina, residui di carico, ceneri di inceneritore e persino carcasse di animali. Le regole sono severe: la plastica non deve mai essere scaricata in mare, mentre altri tipi di rifiuti sono soggetti a restrizioni specifiche a seconda della distanza dalla costa e del tipo di area marina (area speciale o non speciale).  Ogni nave deve avere un Piano di Gestione dei Rifiuti, un Registro dei Rifiuti di Bordo e aree designate per lo smaltimento dei rifiuti a bordo. I cadetti devono comprendere non solo le normative, ma anche l’obbligo morale di prevenire l’inquinamento. Devono inoltre essere in grado di spiegare in inglese: “We separate plastics, food waste, and glass into different containers according to our Garbage Management Plan.”
(Separiamo plastica, rifiuti alimentari e vetro in contenitori diversi secondo il nostro Piano di Gestione dei Rifiuti.)

Una comunicazione marittima efficace aiuta a evitare incomprensioni durante le ispezioni portuali e incoraggia la responsabilità ambientale tra i membri dell’equipaggio.

Annex V covers garbage, which may seem harmless compared to oil or chemicals but is one of the most visible forms of marine pollution. Garbage includes plastics, food waste, domestic refuse, cooking oil, cargo residues, incinerator ashes, and even animal carcasses. The rules are strict: plastics must never be discharged at sea, while other types of garbage have specific restrictions depending on the distance from land and the type of sea area (special area or non-special area). Every ship must have a Garbage Management Plan, a Garbage Record Book, and designated garbage disposal areas on board. Cadets must understand not only the regulations but also the moral obligation to prevent pollution. They should be able to explain in English: “We separate plastics, food waste, and glass into different containers according to our Garbage Management Plan.” Effective maritime communication helps prevent misunderstandings during port inspections and encourages environmental responsibility among the crew.

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Section 6 – Important Questions to be answered shortly

MARPOL Annex VI: Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships

Air pollution from ships is one of the most serious environmental challenges faced by the maritime industry today. MARPOL Annex VI was adopted to reduce harmful emissions that contribute to acid rain, ozone depletion, human respiratory diseases, and climate change. This Annex applies to all ships, regardless of their size or type, and it contains requirements that are enforced by flag states and port state control authorities worldwide.

One of the most important parts of Annex VI is the regulation of sulfur oxides (SOx) emissions. Since 1 January 2020, all ships operating outside designated Emission Control Areas (ECAs) must use fuel with a sulfur content not exceeding 0.50% mass by mass. Within ECAs, which include areas such as the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, and parts of North America, the sulfur limit is even stricter at 0.10%. To comply with these rules, ships may either burn very low-sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO), marine gas oil (MGO), or install exhaust gas cleaning systems, commonly called “scrubbers.” Cadets should understand that the changeover from heavy fuel oil to low-sulfur fuel before entering an ECA must be carefully planned, documented, and recorded in the ship’s logbook.

Annex VI also regulates nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are produced during the combustion process in diesel engines. The rules divide engines into three tiers (Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III) depending on their date of construction and the area of operation. Tier III standards, which apply in ECAs, require advanced technologies such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) units or exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems to reduce NOx emissions. Cadets must be able to describe these systems in English, for example: “The selective catalytic reduction system injects urea into the exhaust gases to convert nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water.”

Another critical element of Annex VI is the prohibition of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in older refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. Ships must ensure that these substances are not deliberately released into the atmosphere, and any maintenance involving ODS must be recorded in a logbook. Cadets should practice reporting sentences such as: “The air-conditioning system was serviced, and no refrigerant leakage was detected.”

Annex VI also addresses ship energy efficiency. It introduced the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships, which sets mandatory limits on CO₂ emissions per tonne-mile of cargo carried. For ships already in operation, the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) requires continuous monitoring of fuel consumption and operational practices to improve efficiency. From 2023 onwards, the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) has also been implemented, requiring ships to measure and report their efficiency performance annually. These measures align the shipping industry with global efforts under the Paris Agreement to combat climate change.

For cadets, Annex VI is not only a technical regulation but also a practical exercise in communication. Officers are expected to exchange information in English during port inspections, bunker operations, and environmental audits. They may need to explain technical terms, answer inspectors’ questions, or demonstrate how records are maintained. For example, they might say: “Our vessel switched to compliant fuel at 2300 hours, and the fuel oil changeover was completed before entering the ECA.” Such clear communication ensures that compliance is not only achieved but also understood and respected by authorities.

Ultimately, Annex VI highlights that maritime officers must combine technical knowledge with environmental awareness and precise communication. Ships are no longer judged only by their cargo or speed but also by how responsibly they manage their environmental footprint. For cadets, learning the vocabulary and concepts of Annex VI is a step toward becoming competent officers who serve both their ship and the global community.

 Comprehension Questions – Answer shortly in English with correct grammar

1. What is the maximum sulfur content allowed in marine fuel outside Emission Control Areas (ECAs) after 1 January 2020?

2. How must a ship prove compliance when switching to low-sulfur fuel before entering an ECA?

3. What is the difference between Tier II and Tier III NOx standards for marine engines?

4. Why are ozone-depleting substances (ODS) prohibited under Annex VI, and how should ships record maintenance involving them?

5. What is the purpose of the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), and how does it differ from the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI)?