Mediterranean Shipping Companies Prepare for Stricter Environmental Standards

Shipping companies operating in the Mediterranean region are gearing up for the implementation of stricter environmental standards as the Mediterranean Emission Control Area for sulphur oxides comes into effect on May 1. This regulation will require significant adjustments to fleets and operations to comply with the new rules.

Under the new regulations, ships in the Mediterranean will be required to use marine fuel with a lower sulphur content, reducing the maximum allowable level from 0.5% to 0.1%. This move is aimed at reducing sulphur oxide emissions, which are known to contribute to sea and land acidification, as well as fine dust that can impact respiratory and cardiovascular health. The reduction of these emissions is expected to have positive effects on air and water quality, benefiting both human health and the environment.

Recent reports indicate that sulphur oxide emissions in the European Union have already decreased by approximately 70% since 2014, largely due to the establishment of an Emission Control Area in Northern Europe. The upcoming implementation of the Mediterranean Emission Control Area is expected to further drive down emissions in the region.

However, there are concerns about the increase in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in the EU, with a 10% rise reported from 2015 to 2023, including an 8% increase specifically in the Mediterranean. Efforts are underway to address these emissions, with the European Commission and Mediterranean States currently exploring strategies to mitigate NOx pollution.

The Mediterranean Sea will become the fifth Emission Control Area for sulphur oxides globally, following an agreement reached by the EU and Mediterranean countries under the UN’s Barcelona Convention in 2021. The designation of the Mediterranean Emission Control Area was subsequently approved by the International Maritime Organization in 2022.

Commissioner Jessika Roswall, responsible for the Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, emphasized the significance of the new regulations, stating, “The establishment of an Emission Control Area in the Mediterranean is a crucial step in combating ship pollution and ensuring the sustainability of our maritime industries. Preserving the marine environment is essential for water resilience, pollution reduction, and safeguarding the health of coastal communities.”

In addition to the Mediterranean Emission Control Area, the IMO recently approved a Northeast Atlantic Emission Control Area set to target both sulphur and nitrogen oxides, with implementation scheduled for 2027. This area will encompass EU littoral states, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and the UK.

Furthermore, in 2024, IMO member states endorsed the establishment of ECAs proposed by Canada and Norway, aimed at reducing emissions in Canadian Arctic waters and the Norwegian Sea. These initiatives will help curb the release of sulphur oxides, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides from international shipping.