Mediterranean Sea inclusion in ECA

C25009 | 18 February 2025

Notice to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators/ Surveyors/ Auditors:

This circular is issued to remind that, as per our Circular C23077, amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, under IMO Resolution MEPC.361(79) established a “Mediterranean Sea Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides and Particulate Matter (ECA)”.

Points to Note:

From 01 May 2025, ships operating within this ECA will be prohibited from using fuel oils with a sulphur content of more than 0.10% m/m, unless an approved equivalent arrangement such as an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System is used.

The amended MARPOL Annex VI, Appendix VII gives the coordinates of the emission control area, which includes all waters bounded by the coasts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Act now

All Ship Owners / Managers / Operators / Surveyors / Auditors should ensure that ships trading within the Mediterranean Sea, are aware of this Emission Control Area, and the date of entry into force of the sulphur content limitation.

Ship owners / Managers / Operators are advised to plan their bunkering operations to ensure that F.O. with an appropriate sulphur content, as per the MARPOL requirements, is available on board in a timely manner.