Tag: SECA

As the IMO MEPC 78 ended, the World Shipping Council (WSC) noted that they have seen good progress on several important topics, including on the next phase of the IMO greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy.

NABU welcomed MEPC 78's decision to pursue the proposal for an emission control area for Sulphur oxides in the Mediterranean (MedSECA) and to adopt it during MEPC 79 in December 2022.

MEPC 78 was held remotely from 6 to 10 June 2022, and DNV presented the highlights of the meeting, which included the finalization of technical guidelines for the upcoming EEXI, CII and SEEMP regulations; approval of a proposal for a sulphur emission control area (SECA) in the Mediterranean Sea; and further discussions on the revision of the IMO GHG Strategy scheduled for 2023.

As of 1st January 2022, all vessels navigating in Korean ports shall not consume fuel oil with a Sulphur content exceeding 0.5%.

The MedECA NGO network - a group of NGOs from France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Germany - urges for the declaration of the Mediterranean Sea as an Emission Control Area for sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions (SECA and NECA).

During a meeting it was decided that a Mediterranean Sulphur Emission Control Area (Med SECA) is to be created by 2024, aiming to the protection of the Mediterranean region from shipping emissions. 

The Government of Iceland and the Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources recently published a new regulation, tightening fuel requirements in Iceland's territorial waters. Through the regulation, the government aims to enhance improved air quality in harbors and comply with its coalition agreement and climate action plan.

To address negative effects on human health and ecosystems of maritime activities, more than 80 participants from 19 Mediterranean coastal States and European Union, as well as the IMO and the United Nations Environment Programme, other governmental and non-governmental organizations, the industry and associations, met in Malta last week to discuss several technical issues and strategic issues.

At the G7 meeting of Environmental Ministers in Metz, France, on May 6, the Italian Minister Costa met with his French counterpart, De Rugy. Among the topics discussed, it was decided to conduct a joint initiative to get the declaration of a combined SECA and NECA for the entire Mediterranean Sea. Spain has also spoke out in favour for an ECA as well.

REMPEC, the IMO-administered marine pollution emergency response centre in the Mediterranean, has concluded a study to evaluate the costs and benefits of implementing a SECA in the Mediterranean region. It found that additional costs will be needed, but health and environmental benefits would be significant.