MARPOL 73/78 requires Governments to ensure the provision of adequate port reception facilities for ship-generated waste. First published in 1995, the Comprehensive Manual on Port Reception Facilities provides guidance on the provision of such facilities and will help overcome the long-standing problem of implementing this part of the Convention.

The Manual provides a complete overview of the subject, including sections on law, planning and operations. It updates and supersedes the following IMO texts on port reception facilities:
- Guidelines on the provision of adequate reception facilities in ports, part I - Oily wastes (1976);
- Guidelines on the provision of adequate reception facilities in ports, parts III - Sewage - and IV - Garbage (1978);
- Guidelines for the implementation of Annex V of MARPOL 73/78, section 6 - Port reception facilities for garbage.

The 1999 edition includes an entirely new chapter on financing and cost recovery (chapter 11, approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee at its 42nd session, in November 1998), as well as editorial and other changes (for example, inclusion of the new Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78) in the other chapters.