IMO New Emissions Control Areas for Mediterranean Sea, Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea

The IMO through RESOLUTION MEPC.361(79) and RESOLUTION MEPC.392(82) has adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI which introduce three new Emissions Control Areas (ECAs) for Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulphur Oxides (SOx) and Particulate Matter (PM).

The new areas designated as Emission Control Area (ECA) requiring ships to comply with emission limitations along with the respective dates of entry into force are tabulated below for reference.

Ships operating within the new designated SOx and PM regulated ECAs from the effective dates, will be prohibited from using fuel oils with a sulphur content exceeding 0.10% m/m unless an approved equivalent arrangement such as Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) is used.

Similarly, ships operating within the new designated NOx regulated ECAs from the effective dates, and having a marine diesel engine with power output of more than 130 kW will be required to be certified to the NOx Technical Code 2008 to meet the NOx Tier III standard. This will be applicable only for ships which meet the  date of build criteria set out in RESOLUTION MEPC.392(82).

The coordinates which demarcate each of the ECAs can be found in the referenced MEPC resolutions RESOLUTION MEPC.361(79) and RESOLUTION MEPC.392(82).

Members are advised to take note of the new Emission Control Areas (ECAs) to ensure that their ships operating or transiting though these areas on or after the respective entry into force dates remain in compliance. The member may consult the Flag Administration and/or Recognised Organisation for further clarification on applicability and requirements.