Mediterranean Sea Becomes Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides

Today marks a significant milestone as the Mediterranean Sea officially becomes an emission control area (ECA) for sulphur oxides (SOx). This decision means that all vessels operating in the region must now adhere to stricter environmental standards.

Under the new regulations, ships in the Mediterranean ECA must either use fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.10% or install approved exhaust gas cleaning systems, known as scrubbers. These measures are aimed at reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality in the region.

Unlike other ECAs such as those in the North and Baltic Seas, the Mediterranean ECA does not currently include nitrogen oxides. However, efforts are being made to address this issue and further improve environmental protection in the area.

During last month’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a new Northeast Atlantic ECA was also agreed upon. This ECA, set to be implemented by 2027, will extend from Portugal to Greenland and will join existing ECAs in the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and the Mediterranean.

Sönke Diesener, a shipping expert at Naturschutzbund Deutschland, a German NGO, commented on the significance of these developments, stating, “Almost all European waters will be emission control areas soon. This harmonized regulation not only benefits people and nature but also facilitates a level playing field for the maritime industry in Europe.”