by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

A recent announcement by container carrier MSC reveals that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has extended its Emissions Control Area (ECA) to include the Mediterranean Sea.

Effective 01 May 2025, this extension will limit the sulphur content of fuels used by vessels operating in the Mediterranean Sea. This regulation is expected to encourage the use of lower-emission fuels within the EU, thereby improving regional and local air quality.

Earlier, marine-fuel ships calling at the ports of Israel started adhering to ECA rules in early 2023.

The designation of the Mediterranean Sea as an ECA is expected to increase operating costs for compliance with the new fuel requirements.

In addition, analysts raised concerns that the ECA implementation could reduce trade in the region by 1%, while the countries that would be affected the most were Syria, Lebanon and Spain.

North-East Atlantic ECA planned

In a similar development, the IMO has received widespread support for establishing a new ECA in the North East Atlantic.

This proposed ECA aims to regulate emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, and particulate matter.

During the MEPC83 meeting, it was highlighted that this new ECA would connect existing ECAs in the Baltic Sea, North Sea, and the English Channel with those in the Mediterranean, Norwegian, and Canadian Arctic regions.

The proposed North-East Atlantic ECA would encompass the territorial seas and exclusive economic zones of France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and the UK, covering approximately 5 million square kilometres.

The earliest possible implementation date for this ECA is 2027.