As Gard P&I Club informs, ahead of the MEPC 81 meeting in late March 2024, Norway and Canada have proposed new emission control areas (ECAs) in the Norwegian Sea and parts of the Canadian Arctic respectively.
In addition, according to Gard, a proposal for a North-East Atlantic Ocean ECA may be ready for MEPC 81. Should this be the case, and all goes as planned, three new ECAs could be adopted by spring 2025 and take effect in 2027. To remind, as of 1 May 2025, the Mediterranean Sea will effectively become an Emission Control Area (ECA) for sulphur oxides (SOx) under MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14.
The three prospective ECAs would prohibit ships from using fuel with a sulphur content greater than 0.10% m/m, or achieve equivalent emission reductions using approved technology, and would require all ships constructed after a certain date to comply with NOx Tier III limits as specified in Reg.13 of MARPOL Annex VI.
- The proposed Canadian Arctic ECA includes Arctic waters under Canadian sovereignty, from the 137th meridian west in the Beaufort Sea to the existing North American ECA boundary in the east. Canada’s proposal is detailed in IMO document MEPC 81/11.
- The proposed Norwegian Sea ECA covers the Norwegian Exclusive Economic Zone north of 62 degrees latitude and includes Norwegian fjords and coastal waters. Norway’s proposal is detailed in IMO document MEPC 81/11/1.
- At the time of writing, the North-East Atlantic Ocean ECA has not been described in detail. However, according to a paper submitted to MEPC 80 (MEPC 80/INF.35), it would link the existing ECAs in the Baltic Sea, North Sea and English Channel with the upcoming Mediterranean Sea ECA. And if taking into account the designation of the additional Norwegian Sea ECA, this essentially means that most European waters will be covered by ECAs.
Recommendations
Gard recommends that ship operators should take note of the above and make sure their bunkering procurement and onboard operating procedures comply with MARPOL requirements in force at any given time. To be compliant it is important to ensure that enough fuel with the appropriate sulphur content is available and that proper fuel changeover procedures are in place and implemented before entering an ECA.
It is also important to keep in mind that regions, states and ports around the world may have implemented their own strict sulphur emission limits. Ship operators must therefore ensure that crews are familiar with the sulphur emission limits in force, not only in the MARPOL designated ECAs, but in all jurisdictions to which they trade. Crews should also be provided with clear procedures and guidance to this effect, Gard highlights.
As new local regulations or changes to existing legislation can be implemented with very little notice, and the regulatory enforcement strategy may differ from one region/port to another, ships’ masters should always seek advice from their agents on local requirements well in advance of the ship’s intended port call.
