National Workshop on the Ratification and Effective Implementation of MARPOL Annex VI – Dec 11, 2024

The Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) organized a National Workshop in Rabat, Morocco on the 10th and 11th December, aimed at assisting Morocco to learn more abut the effective implementation and enforcement of MARPOL Annex VI, including regulations aimed at cutting air pollution from ships in the Mediterranean, with a particular reference to the requirements of the Mediterranean Sulphur Emission Control Area (Med So_x ECA).

The Mediterranean Emission Control Area for sulphur oxide emissions (Med So_x ECA) will come into effect on 1 May 2025, covering all waters bounded by the coasts of Europe, Africa and Asia.

Almost 50 Moroccan officials joined the Workshop, including representatives of the country's shipping regulators and national authorities in charge of marine environmental issues.  They are familiarizing themselves with the requirements for air pollution prevention and promotion of energy efficiency under MARPOL Annex VI, including stringent sulphur limits that apply in the Med So_x ECA.

The Workshop has been organized by REMPEC and co-financed through the International Maritime Organisation Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) and the UNEP / MAP-Barcelona Convention Mediterranean Trust Fund (MTF).  A similar National Workshop was held last month in Alexandria, Egypt, from 26-27 November.