MARPOL Amendments Entering into Force – new ECAS for the Norwegian Sea & Canadian Arctic
Russian Maritime Register of Shipping reminds stakeholders that amendments to Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention (resolution MEPC.392(82)) on nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter Emission Control Areas in the Norwegian Sea and the Canadian Arctic will enter into force on March 1, 2026.
The Norwegian Sea area is located within Norway’s exclusive economic zone. It borders the existing North Sea Emission Control Area to the south and extends northeastwards to the maritime delimitation line between the Russian Federation and Norway.
The Canadian Arctic is situated north of the existing North American Emission Control Area and covers Arctic waters within Canada’s exclusive economic zone.
The requirements for the control of sulphur oxides and particulate matter emissions will apply to existing ships from March 1, 2027. From that date, ships will be required to use fuel oil with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.10% m/m or alternative means of compliance, such as exhaust gas cleaning systems.
The Tier III NOx emission requirements will soon apply to new ships, with implementation varying by region. For the Canadian Arctic, regulations come into force on March 1, 2026, targeting ships with keel laying dates from January 1, 2025. In the Norwegian Sea, compliance is governed by the standard "three-date" criterion, which considers the contract, keel laying, or delivery date.
Below is a list of adopted nitrogen oxides (NECA) and sulphur oxides/particulate matter (SECA) emission control areas under MARPOL Annex VI:
|
Area |
Entry into force |
|
Baltic Sea | |
|
NECA |
January 1, 2021** |
|
SECA |
May 19, 2006 |
|
North Sea | |
|
NECA |
January 1, 2021** |
|
SECA |
November 22, 2007 |
|
North American Area | |
|
NECA |
January 1, 2016** |
|
SECA |
August 1, 2012 |
|
United States Caribbean Area | |
|
NECA |
January 1, 2016** |
|
SECA |
January 1, 2014** |
|
Mediterranean Sea | |
|
SECA |
May 1, 2025 |
|
Canadian Arctic | |
|
NECA |
March 1, 2026 *** |
|
SECA |
March 1, 2027 |
|
Norwegian Sea | |
|
NECA |
March 1, 2026 **** September 1, 2026 ****
March 1, 2030 **** |
|
SECA |
March 1, 2027 |
* For existing ships starting from the specified date;
** For ships with a keel laid / at a similar stage of construction as of the specified date;
*** For ships with a keel laid / at a similar stage of construction as of January 1, 2025;
**** For ships with a building contract placed starting March 1, 2026. In the absence of a building contract, for ships with a keel laid / at a similar stage of construction as of September 1, 2026, or delivered starting from March 1, 2030.
Additional information:
Founded in 1913, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) is a world-renowned classification society that operates within all spheres of the maritime industry with the goal of improving the operational and environmental safety of marine transportation. RS reviews technical documentation, surveys ships and offshore facilities under construction and in service, certifies vessels and companies for compliance with international conventions, recognizes and certifies industrial products and manufacturers, certifies quality management systems for compliance with international and national standards.
Today, RS is actively expanding its scope of services in the field of engineering and consulting, the development of technical documentation for vessels in service, marine warranty surveys, management system certification and recognition of manufacturers. In addition, RS surveys all container types, including tank containers and offshore containers, confirms compliance of packaging for dangerous goods, as well as renders services on the declaration and certification of dangerous goods and bulk cargoes.
