    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [May 15, 2003]
    [Pages 496-497]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Protocol of 1997 To Amend the
    International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships
    May 15, 2003

    To the Senate of the United States:
        I transmit herewith, for the advice and consent of the Senate to its
    ratification, the Protocol of 1997 to Amend the International Convention
    for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as Modified by the
    Protocol of 1978 thereto (hereinafter the ``Protocol of 1997''). The
    Protocol of 1997, which would add Annex VI, Regulations for the
    Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships, to the International Convention
    for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as Modified by the
    Protocol of 1978 (hereinafter the ``MARPOL Convention''), was signed by
    the United States on December 22, 1998. I also enclose, for the
    information of the Senate, the report of the Department of State and its
    attached analysis of the Protocol of 1997, as well as

    [[Page 497]]

    Resolution 2 of the 1997 MARPOL Conference with its annexed Technical
    Code on Control of Emission of Nitrogen Oxides from Marine Diesel
    Engines.
        The MARPOL Convention is the global agreement to control pollution
    from ships. MARPOL Annex VI regulates the emission into the atmosphere
    of specified pollutants from ships. It complements the other annexes to
    the MARPOL Convention, which relate to the transport of oil (Annex I),
    harmful substances carried in bulk (Annex II), harmful substances in
    packaged form (Annex III), ship-generated sewage (Annex IV) and garbage
    (Annex V). The United States is a party to all of these annexes with the
    exception of Annex IV.
        MARPOL Annex VI regulates the prevention of air pollution from ships
    by limiting the discharge of nitrogen oxides from large marine diesel
    engines, governing the sulfur content of marine diesel fuel, prohibiting
    the emission of ozone-depleting substances, regulating the emission of
    volatile organic compounds during the transfer of cargoes between
    tankers and terminals, setting standards for shipboard incinerators and
    fuel oil quality, and establishing requirements for platforms and
    drilling rigs at sea.
        MARPOL Annex VI is an important step toward controlling and
    preventing emissions of harmful air pollutants from ships. U.S.
    ratification of the Protocol of 1997 will demonstrate U.S. commitment to
    an international solution and should hasten the entry into force of the
    Protocol of 1997. Ratification will also enhance our ability to work
    within the treaty framework to obtain subsequent amendments that will
    require further reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides that are now
    achievable through the use of modern control technologies which the
    United States strongly supports.
        I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration
    to the Protocol of 1997 and give its advice and consent to ratification,
    subject to the declarations and understanding set out in the
    accompanying report of the Secretary of State.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     May 15, 2003.

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