The Department of Transport is proposing to join with other interested states to progress the adoption of a new Emission Control Area (ECA) in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in early 2025.
This new ECA would join up with existing ECAs in the Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, Baltic Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Norwegian Sea. If adopted, the requirements of the Northeast Atlantic ECA will likely enter force in 2027.
From that date, all ships subject to the International Convention for the Prevent of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI and operating in the Northeast Atlantic ECA will be required to use on-board fuel oils with a sulphur content of maximum 0.10% m/m in accordance with MARPOL Annex VI, regulation 14, or use alternative emission reduction and control technologies to comply with the emission standard.
Additionally, marine diesel engines fitted in ships constructed after the date of adoption with power greater than 130 kW and operating in this proposed ECA must meet IMO Tier III standards.
Interested parties are therefore invited to submit their views on this proposal by Monday 11 November. Further details can be found in Marine Notice No 59 of 2024, attached below.
