New ECAS for the Canadian Arctic, Norwegian Sea and North-East Atlantic Ocean

Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, adopted at MEPC 82 and entering into force on 1 March 2026, designate the Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea as new ECAs. The North-East Atlantic Ocean will also be designated as an ECA following MARPOL amendments approved at MEPC 83. More information about these ECAs can be found in this statutory news.

Relevant for ship owners/managers and flag states.

ECA World Map

The initiatives for Emission Control Areas (ECAs) seek to reduce air pollution by nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM), safeguard the environment in these sensitive regions, and improve public health.

The Canadian Arctic ECA and the Norwegian Sea ECA adopted by MEPC 82

The Canadian Arctic ECA will extend the existing North American ECA to include all of Canada’s Arctic waters.

The Norwegian Sea ECA will extend the existing North Sea ECA, beginning at 62° north and covering the Norwegian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) up to 200 nautical miles beyond the territorial sea, reaching the Russian border.

Application:

Both the Canadian Arctic and the Norwegian Sea ECA for SOx and PM will take effect on 1 March 2027, one year after the amendments entered into force. From that date, fuel used in these ECAs must have an SOx content of less than 0.10%, unless an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) is in use to achieve equivalent SOx emission levels.

The Canadian Arctic ECA for NOx is based on the construction (keel-laid) date, which is agreed to be 1 January 2025. This implies that ships with keels laid on or after this date must use Tier III certified engines when operating in the Canadian Arctic ECA, effective from 1 March 2026.

The Norwegian Sea ECA for NOx will follow the “three-date” principle as commonly used in MARPOL Annex I. This approach considers the contract date, construction (keel-laid) date and delivery date. By implementing this principle, ships can no longer circumvent Tier III engine NOx certification requirements by advancing the keel laying before the application date.

For the Norwegian Sea ECA, this means that ships with building contracts placed on or after 1 March 2026, or without a building contract, but with keels laid on or after 1 September 2026, or are delivered on or after 1 March 2030, must operate Tier III-certified marine diesel engines within the Norwegian Sea ECA.

The North-East Atlantic Ocean ECA approved by MEPC 83

Pending adoption, MEPC 83 recently approved MARPOL Amendments to include the North-East Atlantic as an ECA for NOx, SOx and PM. This ECA is scheduled for adoption at the extraordinary MEPC session in October 2025 and is expected to enter info force in 2027. It will basically cover the EEZs and territorial seas of Portugal, Spain, France, the UK, Ireland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Denmark (Greenland) that are not already part of any existing ECAs. The EEZs adjacent to Madeira, the Azores and Canary archipelagos will not be included. This will create a continuous ECA across the North-East Atlantic, connecting the Canadian Arctic, the Norwegian Sea, the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea ECAs. While the 0.10% sulphur limit for fuel will take effect in 2028, one year after adoption, the requirement for NOx Tier III engine certification is expected to apply to ships contracted on or after 1 January 2027, or in the absence of a building contract, constructed (keel-laid) on or after 1 July 2027, or delivered on or after 1 January 2031.

Mediterranean Sea ECA effective from 1 May 2025

Lastly, it is important to note that the Mediterranean Sea ECA for SOx and PM will officially come into effect on 1 May 2025. From this date onward, the sulphur content of the fuel used on board vessels operating within the Mediterranean Sea ECA must not exceed 0.10%, unless an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) capable of achieving an equivalent SOx emission level is utilized.

Recommendations

We recommend that ship operators and stakeholders familiarize themselves with the upcoming MARPOL Annex VI amendments and prepare accordingly.

Staying proactive by obtaining the correct engine certification, ensuring access to compliant fuel, and implementing effective fuel changeover procedures will enhance efficiency and prevent non-compliance.

References

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