33 CFR 151.32: Special areas under Annex II
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section names the special areas used for §§ 151.30 through 151.49: the Baltic Sea area, the Black Sea area, and the Antarctic area. Discharges of NLSs or mixtures containing them into the sea are prohibited in the Antarctic area. Restrictions for the Baltic and Black Sea areas take effect later, once certain conditions are met.
Applies toThe section applies to the special areas used for the purposes of §§ 151.30 through 151.49.
What it says
For §§ 151.30 through 151.49, the special areas are the Baltic Sea area, the Black Sea area, and the Antarctic area, which are described in § 151.06.
33 CFR 151.32(a)“the special areas are the Baltic Sea area, the Black Sea area, and the Antarctic area which are described in § 151.06”
Discharges into the sea of NLSs or mixtures containing such substances are prohibited in the Antarctic area.
33 CFR 151.32(a)“Discharges into the sea of NLSs or mixtures containing such substances are prohibited in the Antarctic area.”
The discharge restrictions for the Baltic Sea area and the Black Sea area will take effect only when each Party to MARPOL 73/78 whose coastline borders the special area has certified that reception facilities are available and the IMO has established an effective date for each special area.
33 CFR 151.32(b)“will enter into effect when each Party to MARPOL 73/78 whose coastline borders the special area has certified that reception facilities are available and the IMO has established an effective date”
Notice of the effective date for discharge requirements in these areas will be published in the Federal Register and reflected in this section.
33 CFR 151.32(b)“Notice of the effective date for discharge requirements in these areas will be published in the Federal Register and reflected in this section.”
Common questions
Which areas are special areas under 33 CFR 151.32?
The special areas are the Baltic Sea area, the Black Sea area, and the Antarctic area. They are described in § 151.06.
“the special areas are the Baltic Sea area, the Black Sea area, and the Antarctic area which are described in § 151.06”
Can NLSs be discharged in the Antarctic area?
No. Discharges into the sea of NLSs or mixtures containing such substances are prohibited in the Antarctic area.
“Discharges into the sea of NLSs or mixtures containing such substances are prohibited in the Antarctic area.”
When do the Baltic Sea and Black Sea discharge restrictions take effect?
They take effect when each Party to MARPOL 73/78 whose coastline borders the special area has certified that reception facilities are available and the IMO has established an effective date for each special area.
“when each Party to MARPOL 73/78 whose coastline borders the special area has certified that reception facilities are available and the IMO has established an effective date for each special area”
Where will the effective date for the Baltic and Black Sea requirements be announced?
Notice of the effective date will be published in the Federal Register and reflected in this section.
“Notice of the effective date for discharge requirements in these areas will be published in the Federal Register and reflected in this section.”
The text of 33 CFR 151.32
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Special areas for the purpose of Annex II
(a) For the purposes of §§ 151.30 through 151.49, the special areas are the Baltic Sea area, the Black Sea area, and the Antarctic area which are described in § 151.06. Discharges into the sea of NLSs or mixtures containing such substances are prohibited in the Antarctic area.
(b) In accordance with paragraph (13)(a) of Regulation 5 of Annex II of MARPOL 73/78, the discharge restrictions in § 151.32 for the Baltic Sea area and the Black Sea area will enter into effect when each Party to MARPOL 73/78 whose coastline borders the special area has certified that reception facilities are available and the IMO has established an effective date for each special area. Notice of the effective date for discharge requirements in these areas will be published in the Federal Register and reflected in this section.
Sections it refers to
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.