Act No. 36 of 2024: Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment Act, 2024.

This Act amends the original Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act of 1986 to align it with international maritime law, specifically by incorporating Annexes IV (sewage pollution) and VI (air pollution) of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The key changes include (i) updating the Convention definition to include all relevant annexes, regulations, and protocols. The Law now formally incorporates the Convention, giving it legal force. The Minister of Development gains the power to appoint an advisory committee and enter into cooperative agreements with other states; (ii) expanding the Act's scope to cover new areas of pollution, including air pollution from ships, sewage, and specific waste disposal requirements. It also introduces regulations for "Emission Control Areas" and "particularly sensitive sea areas." The penalties for offenses are significantly increased and the maximum prison sentence is extended; (iii) empowering the Maritime Authority to issue legally binding technical standards for maritime transport, ensuring compliance with international pollution prevention measures.