Regional Expert Meeting on the possible designation of the Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides (Med SOx ECA) pursuant to MARPOL Annex VI - Press release – May 07, 2021

    Regional Expert Meeting on the possible designation of the Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides (Med SOx ECA) pursuant to MARPOL Annex VI - Press release

    Air emissions from ships are a contributor to the overall air quality degradation in the Mediterranean region, and more specifically in the Mediterranean coastal States. Sulphur Oxides (SOx) emissions can cause acid rain and can combine with other pollutants to generate fine particles, which can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases including childhood asthmas, as well as reduced life expectancy and increase premature deaths. Cleaner air means better health, including a reduced vulnerability to COVID-19—known to take acute forms when the virus encounters underlying conditions—and other ailments of its ilk.

    In this context, the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) remotely held the Regional Expert Meeting on the possible designation of the Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides (Med SOx ECA) pursuant to Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) on 27-28 April 2021. This meeting, which was financed by the Mediterranean Trust Fund (MTF), was organised in cooperation with the Barcelona Convention Secretariat - Coordinating Unit for the Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP/MAP) and its Components, notably the Mediterranean Pollution Assessment and Control Programme (MED POL) as well as the Plan Bleu Regional Activity Centre (PB/RAC).

    The Regional Expert Meeting on the possible designation of the Med SOx ECA gathered over 50 participants from 20 out of 22 Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, as well as representatives from relevant regional and international organisations. The meeting was convened as part of the implementation of Decision IG.24/8 on the Road Map for a Proposal for the Possible Designation of the Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides Pursuant to MARPOL Annex VI (“the road map”).

    The meeting reviewed the outcome of the further work of the SOx ECA(s) Technical Committee of Experts as well as agreed upon a set of conclusions and recommendations prior to their submission to the Fourteenth Meeting of the Focal Points of REMPEC to be held remotely from 31 May to 2 June 2021. In particular, the meeting:

    • was satisfied that the necessary knowledge was gathered, the necessary studies were prepared, and the initial draft submission to the IMO for a proposal for the possible designation of the Med SOx ECA was updated, in line with the road map and in accordance with the Terms of Reference developed by the Secretariat and agreed by the SOx ECA(s) Technical Committee of Experts;
    • was of the opinion that the carrying out of the further studies enabled to more fully address the criteria and procedures for designation of emission control areas laid down in Appendix III to MARPOL Annex VI;
    • considered that the further work of the SOx ECA(s) Technical Committee of Experts was successfully completed within the approved timeline of the road map; and
    • agreed, on the basis of the outcome of the further work of the SOx ECA(s) Technical Committee of Experts, to take the finalised draft submission to the IMO, ‎as a basis for the possible submission of a joint and coordinated proposal for the designation of the proposed Med SOx ECA to the IMO.

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