Environmental NGOs Opportunity Green, Transport & Environment, Green Alliance, the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), Fundación Ecología y Desarrollo ECODES, ZERO, and the Clean Arctic Alliance, have sent an open letter to the UK Government urging the expansion of its Emissions Control Area (ECA) in UK waters.
The letter calls for collaboration with neighboring coastal states to establish an ECA beyond UK waters. ECAs are designated sea areas with emission standards to control harmful emissions like Nitrous Oxides (NOx) and Sulphur Oxides (SOx) from shipping, indirectly limiting Particulate Matter (PM).
What is an Emissions Control Area (ECA)?
Under MARPOL Annex VI the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) can establish ECAs where vessels have to comply with mandatory measures for the control and reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx).
NOx emissions from shipping cause ecological damage through eutrophication and acidification, while SOx emissions lead to severe health impacts and acid rain, the NGOs note.
Furthermore, according to the NGOS, Under-regulated shipping emissions cost the UK £1.5 billion annually in health effects, according to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Conversely, expanding the ECA could bring economic benefits of up to £414.7 million, as indicated by UK Government-commissioned research.
According to the environmental organizations, the current ECA in UK waters has a sulphur cap of 0.1% and a NOx limit for newbuild ships. Existing ECAs in North America and Europe show promising results, with the North American ECA reducing hourly Sulphur Dioxide rates by 62% in port areas and expected to cut overall SO2 vessel emissions by 90% in Canadian waters.
The proposed expansion is expected to be easily complied with, as most ships sailing in the North Atlantic, including UK waters, already navigate existing or proposed ECAs, the NGOs highlight.
To remind, Gard P&I Club informed, 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.
