Med SOx ECA
Introduction
The emissions from ships have significant adverse effects on human health, as well as on the environment. For instance, emissions generated during marine engine combustion contribute to the formation of SO4 aerosols, which, along with other types of particulate matter (PM), are able to penetrate deep into the lungs of humans and all living organisms. Exposure to such pollutants is linked to lung cancer, cardiovascular illnesses, and asthma. The WHO reports indicate that the “highest ambient air pollution levels are in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.”
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One way to combat the challenge posed by ship emissions is to designate the Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides (Med SOX ECA) pursuant to MARPOL Annex VI, where special requirements will be implemented to reduce ship emissions. To prepare for the possible designation of the Med SOX ECA, and pursuant to the relevant mandate, REMPEC prepared:
Med SOX ECA Story Map and video
As part of the Digital Campaign on Mediterranean Coast Day 2020, and to mark the first edition of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (IDCABS) in the Mediterranean on 7 September 2020, the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Regional Activity Centre for Information and Communication (INFO/RAC) joined their efforts, with the technical support of REMPEC, to launch a website that aims at raising public awareness and enhancing decision making process on air pollution in the Mediterranean Sea Area.
The Med SOX ECA Story Map puts in the spotlight 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, within the framework of the Barcelona Convention.
More recently, REMPEC also launched a video on the Med SOX ECA on 3 September 2021.
Road map: Goals and Main Steps
At their 21st Meeting, the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean and its Protocols adopted 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, within the Framework of the Barcelona Convention.
The road map outlines the process towards a proposal for the possible designation of the proposed Med SOX ECA, elaborating the goals, steps, timetable, including milestones and actions, which serve this purpose.
In accordance with the road map, REMPEC has been providing continued assistance for the ratification and effective implementation of MARPOL Annex VI to the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, which have so requested.
REMPEC, the Mediterranean Pollution Assessment and Control Programme (MED POL) and the Plan Bleu Regional Activity Centre (PB/RAC), also led the activities related to the completion of the knowledge gathering and the carrying out of the further studies as well as the finalisation of the draft submission to the IMO for a proposal for the possible designation of the Med SOX ECA, under the guidance of the SOX ECA(s) Technical Committee of Experts, in line with the agreed road map.
At their 22nd meeting, the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention adopted Decision IG.25/14 on the Designation of the Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides (Med SOX ECA) pursuant to MARPOL Annex VI, whereby it agreed to submit the joint and coordinated proposal on the designation of the Med SOX ECA to the 78th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 78) scheduled for 2022.