New Emissions Control Areas (ECA) for Mediterranean Sea, Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea 29.03.2025 00:00
The IMO has adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI which introduce three (3) new Emissions Control Areas (ECAs) for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx).
The following new areas will require ships to comply with reduced emissions limitations:
• Mediterranean Sea (SOx)
• Canadian Arctic (NOx and SOx)
• Norwegian Sea (NOx and SOx)
These ECAs are defined in the regulations and are illustrated in below charts:
Mediterranean Sea
In the below chart, the numbered points relate to the corresponding coordinates given in the regulations.
Mediterranean Sea becomes a SOx ECA from 1 May 2025
From this date, amendments to MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14.3.5, as amended by IMO Resolution MEPC.361(79), will prohibit ships operating within the Mediterranean Sea ECA from using fuel oils with a sulphur content exceeding 0.1% m/m unless an approved equivalent arrangement is used such as Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems.
Canadian Arctic
In the below chart, the numbered points relate to the corresponding coordinates given in the regulations.
Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea become NOx ECAs from 1 March 2026
From this date, in accordance with MARPOL Annex VI Regulations 13, as amended by IMO Resolution MEPC.392(82), ships operating in either the Canadian Arctic ECA or Norwegian Sea ECA with a marine diesel engine with power output of more than 130kW are required to be certified to the NOx Technical Code 2008 to meet the NOx Tier III standard, as follows:
• For the Canadian Arctic ECA, ships with keels laid or at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 January 2025.
Norwegian sea
In the below chart, the numbered points relate to the corresponding coordinates given in the regulations.
For the Norwegian Sea ECA:
• Ships with a building contract placed on or after 1 March 2026
• In absence of a building contract, ships with keels laid or at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 September 2026; or
• The delivery is on or after 1 March 2030
Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea become SOx ECAs from 1 March 2027
From this date, amendments to MARPOL Annex VI Regulations 14.3.6 and 14.3.7, as amended by IMO Resolution MEPC.392(82), will prohibit ships operating within either the Canadian Arctic ECA or Norwegian Sea ECA from using fuel oils with a sulphur content exceeding 0.1% m/m unless an approved equivalent arrangement is used such as Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems.
