The road map for a proposal for the possible designation of the Med SOx ECA on track - Mediterranean SOx ECA(s) Experts consulted on knowledge gathering and further studies – Oct 08, 2020

    The road map for a proposal for the possible designation of the Med SOx ECA on track - Mediterranean SOx ECA(s) Experts consulted on knowledge gathering and further studies

    Following the launch of the knowledge gathering and further studies to implement the road map for a proposal for the possible designation of the Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, as an Emission Control for Sulphur Oxides (Med SOx ECA) pursuant to MARPOL Annex VI, REMPEC, in cooperation with  the Mediterranean Pollution Assessment and Control Programme  (MED POL) and the Plan Bleu Regional Activity Centre (PB/RAC), initiated the necessary consultations with Mediterranean SOx ECA(s) Experts.

    As part of the consultations, the SOx ECA(s) Technical Committee of Experts was requested to review as well as provide feedback and comments on the draft reports of the knowledge gathering under draft report 1 (draft submission to the IMO) and  draft report 2 (land-based emissions control measures of SOx and PM in the Mediterranean coastal States), the draft report of the further study under draft report 3 (additional analyses of fuel supply and alternative compliance methods), as well as the draft progress memorandum under draft report 4 – Regional (additional economic impact evaluation).

    The knowledge gathering and further studies cover the following issues, amongst others:

    • an examination of the Technical and Feasibility Study and the initial draft submission to the IMO prepared by REMPEC as well as of other independent studies prepared by France and the European Commission
    • an identification of existing land-based measures for the control of SOx and PM emissions in the Mediterranean coastal States;
    • an assessment of the SOx and PM emission reductions from land-based measures;
    • an assessment of the relative costs of introducing the Med SOx ECA in comparison with the cost of land-based control measures;
    • a review of available information and data on regional supply, demand and overall availability of compliant fuel oils in the Mediterranean Sea;
    • an assessment of the demand projections for 0.10% sulphur compliant fuel oil in the Mediterranean Sea during the period 2024-2029;
    • an assessment of the ability of the refinery industry that services the Mediterranean region to supply the projected demand for 0.10% sulphur compliant fuel oil;
    • an assessment of the availability of the 0.10% sulphur compliant fuel oil that could be supplied outside the Mediterranean Sea;
    • an assessment of the availability, current use and future uptake to comply with the 0.10% sulphur requirement of alternative compliance technologies or alternative fuels in the Mediterranean Sea;
    • an analysis of the potential permanent and transitional changes in competitiveness of the shipping industry, due to compliance with the Med SOx ECA requirements;
    • an analysis of the permanent and transitional additional costs and benefits and their distribution for economies and citizens as from 2024 onwards;
    • an analysis of the economic impacts on ports and refineries;
    • a verification that the criteria for designation of an emission control area, as set out in Appendix III to MARPOL Annex VI, will be appropriately addressed once the knowledge gathering is completed and the further studies are finalised; and
    • the gathering and compilation of relevant information and data required to update the initial draft submission to the IMO and more fully address the said criteria.

    Once the draft reports and memorandum under draft reports 1-4 are reviewed, these will be revised and submitted, together with the updated draft submission to the IMO, to the SOx ECA(s) Technical Committee of Experts, for a second round of consultations to be launched before the end of the year and subsequent finalisation early next year.