Mediterranean Sea Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides and particular matter – designation of Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides and Particular Matter,
under MARPOL Annex VI. In such an Emission Control Area, the limit for sulphur in fuel oil used on board ships is 0.10% mass by mass (m/m), while outside these areas the limit is 0.50% m/m. This will be in effect from 01st May 2024.
As per Resolution MEPC.361(79), adopted on 16th Dec 2022, Annex VI Regulation 14 was revised and Mediterranean Sea was designated as Emission Control Area. Appendix VII of this annex defines the area of the emission control area. As per the appendix, the Mediterranean Sea Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides and Particulate Matter includes all waters bounded by the coasts of Europe, Africa and Asia, and is described by the following coordinates:
.1 the western entrance to the Straits of Gibraltar, defined as a line joining the extremities of Cape Trafalgar, Spain (36°11′.00 N, 6°02′.00 W) and Cape Spartel, Morocco (35°48′.00 N, 5°55′.00 W);
.2 the Strait of Canakkale, defined as a line joining Mehmetcik Burnu (40°03’N, 26°11’E) and Kumkale Burnu (40°01′.00 N, 26°12′.00 E); and
.3 the northern entrance to the Suez Canal excluding the area enclosed by geodesic lines connecting points 1-4 with the following coordinates:
Point Latitude Longitude
1 31˚29′.00 N 32°16′.00 E
2 31˚29′.00 N 32°28′.48 E
3 31˚14′.00 N 32°32′.62 E
4 31˚14′.00 N 32°16′.00 E