Introduction to MARPOL

This chapter introduces the context, purpose, methodology and structure of the Elgar Commentary on the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973/78 (MARPOL). The chapter underscores the important contributions of MARPOL as a major instrument of international environmental law and attempts to explain why it has arguably achieved what it was designed to fulfil while noting, at the same time, that a comprehensive assessment of its environmental impact remains to be undertaken. The chapter further introduces each chapter of the commentary and concludes that MARPOL constitutes a major contribution to the international regulation of shipping.