# MARPOL Annex V Compliance: Reaching the Right Buyer > MARPOL Annex V compliance gaps persist at ports. Learn who buys waste management services and how to reach them before the vessel arrives. URL: https://vesselreach.si/blog/marpol-annex-v-compliance-reaching-the-right-buyer | Published: 2026-10-23 | Guide | Topic: Segment playbooks (marine services) ## At a glance - **What: What does MARPOL Annex V regulate?** MARPOL Annex V mandates effective waste management practices to avoid marine pollution from ships, including garbage segregation and disposal rules. ([Journal article](https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jun1432)) - **Who: Who faces challenges with ship waste management?** Crew members on ships face challenges with waste segregation and disposal, according to a study of ships at Jeddah Port. ([Journal article](https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jun1432)) - **Where: Where was the compliance study conducted?** The study assessing waste management compliance was conducted at the Port of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, targeting crew members from various ships. ([Journal article](https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jun1432)) - **When: When was the Jeddah Port study published?** The study was published in July 2025 in the International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology. ([Journal article](https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jun1432)) - **Why: Why do ships struggle with proper waste disposal?** Many ships struggle due to limited access to port reception facilities, high operational costs, and logistical constraints, according to a 2024 study. ([Idea Future Research (Institute of Computer Science)](https://idea.ristek.or.id/index.php/idea/article/view/34)) - **How: How can a mobile system reduce marine pollution from ship waste?** A mobile ship pump system was developed to enhance maritime waste management and reduce illegal discharge, evaluated through field studies and stakeholder interviews. ([Idea Future Research (Institute of Computer Science)](https://idea.ristek.or.id/index.php/idea/article/view/34)) ## Why MARPOL Annex V compliance is a sales opportunity for service providers MARPOL Annex V compliance is the set of rules governing how ships handle garbage at sea and in port. Service providers that help vessels meet these rules have a clear opening: compliance gaps are common, and the buyer is often the technical superintendent or port agent who arranges waste reception. A 2025 study of ships at Jeddah Port in Saudi Arabia found notable gaps in compliance with MARPOL Annex V, with deficiencies in waste segregation and disposal practices. The research, published in the *International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology*, surveyed 30 crew members and highlighted challenges faced by crews in managing waste. ([IJISRT, July 2025](https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jun1432)) For ship chandlers, port agents, and marine service companies, that finding is a sales signal. Vessels that struggle with compliance need reliable port reception facilities and waste management services. The question is how to reach the people who make the purchasing decision. ## Who actually buys waste management services? The buyer depends on the vessel's commercial setup and the port's regulations. In most cases, three roles matter: - **Technical superintendent** or technical superintendent (the shore-based manager responsible for a vessel's technical upkeep and compliance) at the ship management company. They set waste management policy and approve suppliers. - **Port agent** or husbandry agent, who arranges waste reception as part of the port call and often holds the PDA (pro forma disbursement account, the cost estimate for a port call). - **Procurement or purchasing manager** at the owner or manager, who issues the request for quotation and compares suppliers. On smaller fleets, the DOC holder (the company holding the Document of Compliance under the ISM Code) may also be involved in supplier selection. Understanding which role initiates the waste management request is the first step to targeting outreach. ## What the research says about compliance gaps Studies consistently show that crew training and access to facilities are the weak points. A 2024 paper in *Altair* examined the implementation of the Garbage Management Plan on the supply vessel SV. Patrona 118 and concluded that crew awareness and knowledge of waste segregation must improve. ([Altair, November 2024](https://doi.org/10.62554/1cdxs476)) Another 2024 study, published by Idea Future Research, evaluated a mobile ship pump system for reducing marine pollution from ship waste. It noted that many ships struggle with proper waste disposal due to limited access to port reception facilities, high operational costs, and logistical constraints. ([Idea Future Research, March 2024](https://idea.ristek.or.id/index.php/idea/article/view/34)) These findings matter for service providers because they show that the problem is not only regulatory but operational. Vessels need practical, reliable waste reception solutions at the ports they call. Suppliers that can demonstrate a clear process for waste collection, segregation support, and documentation have an advantage. ## The port reception facility landscape Port reception facilities, or PRFs, are the shore-side installations that receive ship-generated waste. Their availability and quality vary widely. A 2017 study in the *SPOUDAI Journal of Economics and Business* examined waste reception facilities in Mediterranean cruise ports and found that while cruise lines and ports have implemented MARPOL requirements, practices vary across the region. ([SPOUDAI, March 2017](https://spoudai.org/index.php/journal/article/view/155)) For service providers, the takeaway is that compliance depends on local infrastructure. A vessel calling at a port with limited PRF capacity may need alternative solutions, such as mobile collection services or advance coordination with the agent. Suppliers that can offer flexible arrangements win the business. ## How to reach the right buyer before the vessel arrives The most effective outreach starts before the ETA. By identifying vessels due at your target ports, you can contact the technical superintendent or port agent while the port call is still being planned. Waiting until the ship is alongside often means the waste management job is already assigned. VesselReach supports this workflow by detecting vessels near your selected ports and scheduled arrivals, then using AI to identify the company behind each vessel and the relevant decision-makers. This means you can send a personalised message to the technical superintendent or agent weeks before the vessel arrives, offering your waste management services and sharing your company profile or service catalogue. For a deeper look at how port agents and chandlers can build a repeatable process, see [crew change logistics for port agents and chandlers](https://vesselreach.si/blog/crew-change-logistics-for-port-agents-and-chandlers). ## What a compliance-focused outreach message should include Decision-makers at ship managers receive many supplier emails. A message that references MARPOL Annex V compliance and offers a concrete solution is more likely to get a reply. Include: - A clear statement of the waste streams you handle (e.g., garbage, sludge, oily water). - Your process for documentation and compliance with local PRF requirements. - A reference to the vessel's upcoming port call and your availability. - An offer to share your service catalogue or certificates. VesselReach allows you to attach approved documents to outreach emails and follow-ups, so the buyer has the information they need without a separate request. ## Regulatory context: why compliance is tightening Port state control inspections increasingly focus on MARPOL compliance. In October 2026, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) conducted an enforcement operation code named Operation Sea Guardian to enforce compliance with maritime regulations in Nigerian waters. ([MarineLink, October 2026](https://www.marinelink.com/news/nimasa-conducts-enforcement-compliance-543831)) Such enforcement actions raise the stakes for vessels and their managers. A vessel found with inadequate waste records or improper disposal can face delays and penalties. Service providers that help vessels avoid these outcomes become valuable partners. Similarly, the U.S. Coast Guard published Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 02-26 in October 2026, providing cybersecurity regulations implementation guidance for maritime operations. ([The Maritime Executive, October 2026](https://maritime-executive.com/article/us-coast-guard-releases-new-maritime-cybersecurity-compliance-guidance)) While focused on cybersecurity, it reflects a broader trend of tightening compliance requirements across the maritime sector. ## Building a target list for waste management services To win waste management contracts, you need to know which vessels are likely to need your services at your target ports. Factors to consider: - Vessel type and size: cruise ships and large tankers generate more waste and have more complex reception needs. - Port stay duration: longer port calls allow more time for waste collection. - Previous port calls: vessels that have called at your port before may have existing supplier relationships. VesselReach's vessel intelligence and AI company targeting help you build this list automatically. You can filter by port, vessel type, and arrival date, then reach out to the relevant decision-makers with a tailored message. ## How VesselReach helps VesselReach turns vessel movements into targeted conversations with the people who buy waste management services. It detects vessels near your ports and scheduled arrivals, identifies the company behind each vessel, and finds the technical superintendent or port agent by role. You can then send personalised outreach by email, WhatsApp, or phone, attach your service catalogue, and let AI handle initial enquiries. When a prospect replies, VesselReach escalates to your team on the mobile app for a human conversation. Book a VesselReach demo to see how it works on your target ports. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is MARPOL Annex V? MARPOL Annex V is the international regulation that governs garbage disposal from ships. It sets rules for waste segregation, treatment, and discharge, and requires ports to provide reception facilities. Compliance is enforced by port state control inspections. ([Journal article](https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jun1432)) ### Who is responsible for waste management on a ship? The ship's crew is responsible for day-to-day waste handling under the Garbage Management Plan, but shore-based technical superintendents set policy and approve suppliers. Port agents often arrange waste reception as part of the port call. ([Altair](https://doi.org/10.62554/1cdxs476)) ### How can service providers find vessels that need waste management services? Use vessel intelligence to identify ships due at your target ports. Then contact the technical superintendent or port agent before the ETA. VesselReach automates this by detecting arrivals and finding the right decision-makers. ### What are port reception facilities? Port reception facilities are shore-side installations that receive ship-generated waste. Their availability and quality vary by port, and studies show that limited access can lead to improper disposal. ([Idea Future Research (Institute of Computer Science)](https://idea.ristek.or.id/index.php/idea/article/view/34)) ### How does VesselReach help with outreach to ship managers? VesselReach identifies the company behind each vessel and finds decision-makers by role, such as technical superintendent or procurement manager. It then supports personalised outreach by email, WhatsApp, and phone, with automated follow-ups and document sharing. ## Sources 1. [Evaluating the Implementation of Waste Management Practices on Ships: A Study of Compliance and Effectiveness at the Port of Jeddah, KSA](https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jun1432), Journal article, 2025-07-11 2. [Development and Evaluation of a Mobile Ship Pump System for Reducing Marine Pollution from Ship Waste](https://idea.ristek.or.id/index.php/idea/article/view/34), Idea Future Research (Institute of Computer Science), 2024-03-30 3. [Implementation of the Garbage Management Plan by MARPOL Annex V on the SV. Patrona 118](https://doi.org/10.62554/1cdxs476), Altair, 2024-11-30 4. [Environmental policies and practices in Cruise Ports: Waste reception facilities in the Med](https://spoudai.org/index.php/journal/article/view/155), SPOUDAI Journal of Economics and Business, 2017-03-21 5. [NIMASA Conducts Enforcement Compliance Operation](https://www.marinelink.com/news/nimasa-conducts-enforcement-compliance-543831), MarineLink, 2026-10-21 6. [US Coast Guard Releases New Maritime Cybersecurity Compliance Guidance](https://maritime-executive.com/article/us-coast-guard-releases-new-maritime-cybersecurity-compliance-guidance), The Maritime Executive, 2026-10-20 ## More on this topic MARPOL Annex V compliance is a key concern for ships and ports, with studies showing gaps in waste management practices. Service providers can win business by reaching technical superintendents and port agents before vessels arrive. VesselReach helps by identifying vessels due at your ports and the decision-makers behind them, enabling targeted outreach and follow-ups. --- VesselReach, built by CatalystIQ. CatalystIQ Data Classification and Analysis Services, Al Qusais, Dubai, P.O. Box 129882, United Arab Emirates. info@catalystiq.ae, +971 58 599 7894. Book a demo: https://vesselreach.si/#demo. Pricing: contact us for a quote (https://vesselreach.si/pricing).