MARPOL primarily concerns pollution from ships in which areas?

• A. Port state control inspections only.
• B. Control of passenger berthing schedules.
• C. Prevention of pollution from ships including oil, chemicals, garbage, ballast water, and air emissions.
• D. Regulations for fishing seasons.

Answer: (C)

MARPOL is the international framework focused on preventing pollution from ships. It sets rules and limits on what ships can discharge and how to minimize ship-sourced pollution, covering oil pollution, chemicals and noxious substances, harmful substances in packaged form, sewage, garbage, and air emissions from ships. This is why the option describing prevention of pollution from ships in those areas is the best match. The other choices describe activities or topics not about preventing ship-generated pollution—port state control is enforcement, berthing schedules are operational logistics, and fishing seasons concern fisheries regulation. Note that ballast water is managed by separate international arrangements, but addressing ballast water discharges is still part of the broader aim to prevent ship-origin pollution.