ECA approved for adoption at next MEPC session

12 October 2010

Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) – 61st session: 27 September - 1 October, 2010

Emission Control Area proposal put forward to next session for adoption

The MEPC approved a proposal to designate certain waters adjacent to coasts of Puerto Rico (United States) and the Virgin Islands (United States) as an ECA for the control of emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOX), sulphur oxide (SOX), and particulate matter under MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships and agreed to consider the proposal for adoption at its next session.

Currently, there are two designated ECAs under Annex VI, the Baltic Sea area and the North Sea area, while a third area, the North American ECA, was adopted in March 2010, with expected entry into force in August 2011.

IMO – the International Maritime Organization – is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.

Source: IMO