At this week’s meeting of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee, it was agreed to implement the Sulphur oxides emission control area (ECA). The establishment of a Mediterranean ECA has been debated for over 10 years and supported by a number of large coastal cities. The Mediterranean region is home to approximately 250 million residents and has consistently endured high ambient concentrations of particulate matter. This new ECA will come into effect May 1st, 2025 and be the fifth of its type in the world to demand the use of lower Sulphur fuels. Canadian waters have been subject to an emission control area regulation since 2012, with further restrictions implemented in 2015.
