Answer
Port Reception Facilities (PRFs) are mandatory provisions established under the MARPOL Convention (73/78). They mandate that coastal states and port authorities provide adequate facilities to collect ship-generated waste, oily residues, noxious cargo washings, sewage, garbage, and air emission residues without causing undue delay to ships.
Under national maritime legislation (such as Part 11 of the Indian Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 and corresponding Port State rules), port authorities are statutorily required to maintain PRFs commensurate with the type and volume of traffic using the port.
Mandatory Port Reception Requirements by MARPOL AnnexesPort reception facilities must handle six distinct operational waste streams:
| MARPOL Annex | Mandated Facility Capabilities |
| Annex I (Oil) | Receives engine room oily sludge, dirty bilge water, oily tank washings/slops from oil tankers, and dirty ballast water. |
| Annex II (Noxious Liquid Substances) | Receives cargo tank washing residues (pre-wash discharges) for Chemical Tankers carrying Category X, Y, or Z substances. |
| Annex IV (Sewage) | Receives untreated or treated sewage holding tank discharges from vessels. |
| Annex V (Garbage) | Receives segregated garbage including plastics, domestic waste, food waste, incinerator ash, cargo residues, and hazardous operational waste. |
| Annex VI (Air Pollution) | Receives Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) removed during refrigeration maintenance and Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS/Scrubber) residues/sludge. |