Mediterranean Sea to Become an Emission Control Area (ECA)
- medfuels
- Jan 9
- 1 min read
Starting 1 May 2025, the Mediterranean Sea will officially be designated as an Emission Control Area (ECA) for sulphur oxides (SOx) under MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14. This significant step aims to reduce air pollution in one of the world’s busiest maritime regions.
New Compliance Requirements
From the implementation date, vessels operating in the Mediterranean must ensure the sulphur content of fuel used on board does not exceed 0.10%, or alternatively, use an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) to meet equivalent SOx emission levels. This aligns the Mediterranean with other established ECAs like the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.
Benefits of the SOx ECA
The new regulations promise cleaner air and reduced environmental impact across the region. Lower sulphur emissions will benefit human health by decreasing respiratory issues and protect ecosystems from acid rain.
Preparing for Change
Shipowners and operators should begin planning now to secure compliant fuels or consider installing EGCS technology.
