Mediterranean Sea to become a Sulphur Emission Control Area

Ships operating in the Mediterranean SECA must use fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.10% by mass or implement an approved alternative compliance solution (such as an exhaust gas cleaning system) authorized by the relevant Maritime Administration.

Since some Mediterranean coastal states (Algeria, Libya and Egypt) are not parties to MARPOL Annex VI, ship operators should verify compliance specifics with local authorities prior to port calls in these jurisdictions.

Reference: list of existing and prospective SECA in accordance with MARPOL Annex VI:

• The Baltic Sea (since May 19, 2006);
• The North Sea (since November 22, 2007);
• The North American SECA (since August 1, 2012);
• The United States Caribbean Sea SECA (since January 1, 2014);
• The Mediterranean SECA (effective May 1, 2025);
• The Canadian Arctic Emission Control Area (within Canada's Exclusive Economic Zone, effective March 1, 2027);
• The Norwegian Sea (within the Norwegian Exclusive Economic Zone, effective March 1, 2027);
• The North-East Atlantic Emission Control Area (within the boundaries of the Exclusive Economic Zones of Portugal, Spain, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Denmark (Greenland and the Faroe Islands) and Iceland. Relevant amendments to MARPOL Annex VI are scheduled for adoption in October 2025, with an anticipated application from March 1, 2028.

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 implementing the concept "More than class" by expanding its scope of services in the field of engineering and consulting, the development of technical documentation for vessels in service, marine warranty surveys and certification. 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.