Poland bound by MARPOL Annex VI amendments on ship pollution

The Polish government has formally confirmed the Republic of Poland’s binding to the amendments to Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), adopted in London on 4 October 2024. The confirmation was published in Dziennik Ustaw of 2 September 2026, in a government statement (poz. 1166) signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski, together with the Polish translation of the amendments (poz. 1165).

What the statement establishes

Under Article 15(1) of the Act of 14 April 2000 on international agreements, the Council of Ministers approved the amendments on 3 February 2026. In line with Article 16(2)(g)(ii) of the MARPOL Convention, the amendments entered into force for all contracting parties, including Poland, on 1 March 2026.

The amendments concern Annex VI of the 1973 MARPOL Convention, as amended by the 1978 Protocol and supplemented by the 1997 Protocol, which regulates the prevention of air pollution from ships.

A broad international scope

The statement lists the states bound by the amendments, covering a wide range of maritime and coastal nations, including:

• European Union member states such as Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Poland
• Major flag states including Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Singapore and China
• The United States, United Kingdom, Japan, India, Brazil and Russia
• Regional extensions to Hong Kong and Macau (China) and the Faroe Islands (Denmark)

What the amendments cover

The companion document (poz. 1165) publishes the Polish translation of the amendments to Annex VI, which tighten the rules on emissions and pollution prevention from ships operating in Polish and international waters. The changes affect shipowners, operators and ports, and reinforce the protection of the marine environment.

Why it matters

By confirming its binding to the amendments, Poland aligns its maritime regulation with the latest international standards on ship pollution, affecting shipping companies, port authorities and environmental oversight bodies. The entry into force on 1 March 2026 means the new requirements already apply to vessels sailing under the Polish flag and in Polish waters, with consequences for compliance, inspection and enforcement.

Source: Dziennik Ustaw, 2 September 2026, poz. 1166 and poz. 1165 (official reference: Dz.U. 2026 poz. 1166; Dz.U. 2026 poz. 1165).