Due to the potential introduction of cholera microbes through balancing water on ships departing from Iraq, Kuwait, India, and certain African countries such as Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia, the Ministry of Health in Iran has implemented precautions this year. It is essential for these measures to be executed efficiently without undue delays in vessel operations. Ships in ports must obtain permission from the Marine Environment Protection Division before conducting ballast discharge. The ship’s agency must submit de-ballasting requests to the Division. Relevant experts will inspect the ship and provide necessary permits after the request submission.
Regulations and restrictions
In compliance with the Third-fifth National Development Plan targets and membership in Appendix 6 of the MARPOL, there are stringent controls on airborne pollution in ports. If a ship is detected producing air pollution, the standard form to address the issue must be delivered to the ship through an inspector. The offender ship will be given a 60-minute timeline to correct the issue after the documentation has been completed. If the problem is not resolved, the ship will face fines and penalties.
National and International Requirements: MARPOL Convention, OPRC Convention, The International Convention on Control and Management of Ballast Water, ANTI FOULING SYSTEM Convention, and Act to Prevent Seas and Navigable Rivers from Oil Pollution.
For garbage disposal, collection vessels will coordinate with the Marine Environment Protection Department at the anchorage. The waste can be disposed of through an application to the ship’s agency and based on the garbage evacuation declaration form. The relevant certificate will be provided to the ship after waste discharge. Waste must be placed in suitable packaging on the berth every morning based on the classification in Appendix 5 of the MARPOL Convention and will be collected twice a day. The relevant certificate filled by the master through the agent will be provided to the ship before departure.
To paint draft marks and the ship’s name, permission must be obtained through the agency from the Marine Environment Protection Department, and the painting should only take place during daylight hours; it is strictly prohibited at night.
It is mandatory for vessels calling Iranian ports to fly a suitable, full-colored, clean Iranian national flag or face heavy penalties.
Vessels must call port control on VHF channel 13, two hours before arriving at the merchant anchorage, and if there are no berthing prospects, a safe anchor position must be sought from port control before anchoring.
Alcoholic drinks and obscene pictures/tapes/CDs are strictly prohibited in Iranian waters. If available, they must be locked up in the bonded store.
Local time in Iranian ports is GMT+3.5 Hrs (no summer time).
Electronic port clearance will be issued at the port, and there is no hard copy with a stamp.