The IMO is to begin a new study into the possibility of the Mediterranean Sea becoming the world’s fifth emission control area (ECA).
The UN body said the study would “assess the benefits, costs and feasibility” of such a move as well as the potential health benefits for people living around the region as well as the cost implications for shipowners.
The IMO Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea, (REMPEC) will coordinate the technical and feasibility study.
It has already signed a contract with an international consortium led by Energy & Environmental Research Associates (EERA) to carry out the study, which is expected to be completed by the spring 2019.
Funding for the study, which will be present to the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection committee (MEPC), comes from the Mediterranean Trust Fund, the IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme and a voluntary contribution from Italy.
There are currently four designated SOx-ECAs worldwide: the Baltic Sea; the North Sea; the North American area covering designated coastal areas off the US and Canada; and the US Caribbean Sea area around Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
In the ECAs, the limit for sulphur in fuel oil used on board ships is 0.10% mass by mass (m/m), while outside these areas the limit is currently 3.5% m/m, falling to 0.50% m/m from 1 January 2020.
