Annex VI of MARPOL provides for the designation of Emission Control Areas, which are areas where the adoption of special mandatory measures for emissions from ships are required to prevent, reduce and control air pollution of NOx, SOx , particulate matter, or all three types of emissions and their attendant adverse impacts on human health and the environment, as included in the 2008 amendments to Annex VI (before then, Emission Control Areas could only be designated for SOx).

Such areas are included in the 2008 amendments to Annex VI. Appendix III to Annex VI provides a list of criteria that must be fulfilled in order to obtain designation. Such criteria include information pertinent to the meteorological conditions of the area, the nature of the ship traffic, and assessment of the types of pollutants from ships operating in the area.

An Emissions Control Area is effected through an amendment to MARPOL Annex VI, following the formal amendment procedure laid out in MARPOL 73/78 Article 16. MARPOL 73/78, supra note 14, annex VI, app. III, para. 2.2; 4.3.

North American ECA (SOx and PM) (NOx) was accepted on February 1, 2011 and entered into force August 1, 2011.  See Resolution MEPC.190(60), March 26, 2010 offsite link.

Caribbean Sea ECA (SOx and PM) (NOx) was accepted on July 1, 2012 and entered into force January 1, 2013. See Resolution MEPC.202(62), July 25, 2011 offsite link.

Further Information:

• IMO Site on Special Areas under MARPOL offsite link
• FAQ: North American Emission Control Area (ECA). U.S. Coast Guard Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance
• “List of Special Areas, Emission Control Areas and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas” offsite link

 Last updated July 29, 2020