At the 84th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Northeast Atlantic region was designated as the world’s largest Emission Control Area (ECA).
According to Seanews.az, the decision—supported by European Union member states, the United Kingdom, and Iceland—will enter into force on 1 September 2027 and will be fully implemented from 2028.
The new zone covers a vast area stretching from Greenland and Iceland to the coasts of Spain and Portugal. Within this region, strict limits will be imposed on emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter from ships. The sulfur content of marine fuel must not exceed 0.10%.
The meeting also adopted a new action plan to combat marine plastic pollution and agreed to develop mandatory regulations for the safe transport of plastic pellets in containers.
In addition, amendments to the Ballast Water Management Convention were approved, while the implementation of guidelines aimed at reducing the impact of underwater noise from ships on marine ecosystems has been extended until the end of 2028.
