With the maritime industry getting more digital, from 1 October 2020, MARPOL will enable the use of electronic record books in lieu of hard copy record books. Electronic recording may benefit the retention of records by companies/ships and will reduce the administrative burden associated with paperwork.

The MARPOL and NOx Technical Code amendments enter into force on 1 October 2020. The regulations enable the electronic recording of the following record books:

- Oil Record Book, part I (MARPOL Annex I)
- Oil Record Book, part II (MARPOL Annex I)
- Cargo Record Book (MARPOL Annex II)
- Garbage Record Book, part I and II (MARPOL Annex V)
- Ozone-depleting Substances Record Book (MARPOL Annex VI)
- Recording of the tier and on/off status of marine diesel engines (MARPOL Annex VI)
- Record of Fuel Oil Changeover (MARPOL Annex VI)
- Record Book of Engine Parameters (NOx Technical Code).