(13)Resolution MEPC 114(50), adopted on 4 December 2003, introduced a new Regulation 21 into Annex I to MARPOL 73/78 on the prevention of oil pollution from oil tankers when carrying heavy grade oil (HGO) which bans the carriage of HGO in single-hull oil tankers. Paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 of Regulation 21 provide for the possibility of exemptions from the application of certain provisions of that Regulation. The statement by the Italian Presidency of the European Council on behalf of the European Union, recorded in the official report of the MEPC on its 50th session (MEPC 50/3), expresses a political commitment to refrain from making use of those exemptions.