ENVIRONMENT · FOR OFFICERS, CHIEF ENGINEERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Emission Control Areas
As of the date on this page there are 7 IMO Emission Control Areas in force: North American, U.S. Caribbean, North Sea, Baltic, Mediterranean, Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea. Inside them a ship's fuel may carry no more than 0.10% sulphur, against 0.50% elsewhere. The newest, the North-East Atlantic ECA, enters into force on 1 September 2027.
Emission Control Areas, with their dates
| Area | Set by | Rules apply since | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| N. American ECA (Pacific) | IMO (MARPOL Annex VI) | 1 Aug 2012 | MEPC.190(60) |
| N. American ECA (Atlantic/Gulf) | IMO (MARPOL Annex VI) | 1 Aug 2012 | MEPC.190(60) |
| N. American ECA (Hawaii) | IMO (MARPOL Annex VI) | 1 Aug 2012 | MEPC.190(60) |
| U.S. Caribbean ECA | IMO (MARPOL Annex VI) | 1 Jan 2014 | MEPC.202(62) |
| North Sea SOx+NOx ECA | IMO (MARPOL Annex VI) | 22 Nov 2007 | MEPC.132(53); NOx MEPC.286(71) |
| Baltic SOx+NOx ECA | IMO (MARPOL Annex VI) | 19 May 2006 | MARPOL Annex VI; NOx MEPC.286(71) |
| Mediterranean ECA | IMO (MARPOL Annex VI) | 1 May 2025 in force 1 May 2024 | MEPC.361(79) |
| Canadian Arctic ECA | IMO (MARPOL Annex VI) | 1 Mar 2027 in force 1 Mar 2026 | MEPC.392(82) |
| Norwegian Sea ECA | IMO (MARPOL Annex VI) | 1 Mar 2027 in force 1 Mar 2026 | MEPC.392(82) |
| China DECA (coastal waters) | National | 1 Jan 2019 | China MOT DECA scheme (2018) |
| China DECA (Hainan) | National | 1 Jan 2019 | China MOT DECA scheme (2018) |
| Korea SECA (Incheon & Pyeongtaek-Dangjin) | National | 1 Jan 2022 | Korea Special Act on Air Quality in Port Areas, Art. 10 (MOF SECA notice) |
| Korea SECA (Yeosu & Gwangyang) | National | 1 Jan 2022 | Korea Special Act on Air Quality in Port Areas, Art. 10 (MOF SECA notice) |
| Korea SECA (Ulsan) | National | 1 Jan 2022 | Korea Special Act on Air Quality in Port Areas, Art. 10 (MOF SECA notice) |
| North-East Atlantic ECA | IMO (MARPOL Annex VI) | not yet adopted 1 May 2026, in force 1 Sep 2027 | MEPC.407(84) · not drawn yet |
The North American ECA is one ECA in three parts (Pacific coast, Atlantic and Gulf coast, Hawaii). China's coastal DECA (0.50% sulphur, 0.10% in inland rivers and Hainan) and Korea's port SECAs are national rules: check the national notice for what applies where.
Miles inside ECAs on real voyages
Worked out by NaviBoss's router on the main trade lanes: the fuel you need at 0.10% sulphur depends on these miles.
| Voyage | Distance | Inside ECAs | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamburg to Shanghai | 10,873 nm | 3,150 nm | 29% |
| Rotterdam to Shanghai | 10,594 nm | 2,878 nm | 27% |
| Singapore to New York | 10,208 nm | 2,811 nm | 28% |
| Rotterdam to Busan | 10,906 nm | 2,506 nm | 23% |
| Rotterdam to Hong Kong | 9,835 nm | 2,395 nm | 24% |
| Rotterdam to Singapore | 8,414 nm | 2,348 nm | 28% |
| Rotterdam to Mumbai | 6,462 nm | 2,348 nm | 36% |
| Rotterdam to Colombo | 6,867 nm | 2,348 nm | 34% |
| Rotterdam to Jebel Ali | 6,363 nm | 2,348 nm | 37% |
| Rotterdam to Houston | 5,048 nm | 2,338 nm | 46% |
| Mundra to Rotterdam | 6,310 nm | 2,335 nm | 37% |
| Ras Tanura to Rotterdam | 6,538 nm | 2,335 nm | 36% |
MARPOL Special Areas
Stricter discharge rules for oil, noxious liquids, sewage or garbage inside each.
| Area | In effect since | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | 2 Oct 1983 | MARPOL Annex I / V |
| Baltic Sea | 2 Oct 1983 | MARPOL Annex I / IV / V |
| North Sea | 18 Feb 1991 | MEPC.36(28) |
| Antarctic area | 17 Mar 1992 | MEPC.42(30) |
| Black Sea | 2 Oct 1983 | MARPOL Annex I |
| Red Sea | 1 Jan 2025 | MEPC.381(80) |
| Gulf of Aden | 1 Jan 2025 | MEPC.381(80) |
| Gulfs area | 1 Aug 2008 | MEPC.168(56) |
| Wider Caribbean | 1 May 2011 | MEPC.191(60) |
| NW European waters | 1 Aug 1999 | MEPC.75(40) |
| Oman area, Arabian Sea | not yet in effect | MEPC.117(52) (not yet in effect) |
| Southern South African waters | 1 Aug 2008 | MEPC.154(55) |
Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas
| Area | Designated | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Malpelo Island | 8 Mar 2002 | MEPC.97(47) |
| Paracas National Reserve | 18 Jul 2003 | MEPC.106(49) |
| Galapagos Archipelago | 22 Jul 2005 | MEPC.135(53) |
| Jomard Entrance | 28 Oct 2016 | MEPC.283(70) |
| Tubbataha Reefs | 7 Jul 2017 | MEPC.294(71) |
| Strait of Bonifacio | 15 Jul 2011 | MEPC.204(62) |
| Saba Bank | 5 Oct 2012 | MEPC.226(64) |
| Canary Islands | 22 Jul 2005 | MEPC.134(53) |
| Nusa Penida | 4 Oct 2024 | MEPC.396(82) |
| Gili Matra | 4 Oct 2024 | MEPC.396(82) |
| Florida Keys | 8 Mar 2002 | MEPC.98(47) |
| Papahanaumokuakea | 4 Apr 2008 | MEPC.171(57) |
| NW Mediterranean | 7 Jul 2023 | MEPC.380(80) |
| Sabana-Camaguey | 25 Sep 1997 | MEPC.74(40) |
| Baltic Sea Area | 22 Jul 2005 | MEPC.136(53) |
| Great Barrier Reef / Torres Strait / Coral Sea | 15 May 2015 | MEPC.268(68) |
| Western European Waters | 15 Oct 2004 | MEPC.121(52) |
| Wadden Sea | 11 Oct 2002 | MEPC.101(48) |
Other rules at sea that NaviBoss draws
| Area | Rule | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Arctic waters (HFO ban) | Heavy fuel oil ban | 1 Jul 2024 |
| Singapore port limits | Open-loop scrubber ban | 1 Jan 2020 |
| Right whale zone: Block Island Sound (1 Nov – 30 Apr) | Whale speed limit | 9 Dec 2008 |
| Right whale zone: Cape Cod Bay (1 Jan – 15 May) | Whale speed limit | 9 Dec 2008 |
| Right whale zone: Great South Channel (1 Apr – 31 Jul) | Whale speed limit | 9 Dec 2008 |
| Right whale zone: Off Race Point (1 Mar – 30 Apr) | Whale speed limit | 9 Dec 2008 |
| Right whale zone: Morehead City & Beaufort (1 Nov – 30 Apr) | Whale speed limit | 9 Dec 2008 |
| Right whale zone: New York & New Jersey (1 Nov – 30 Apr) | Whale speed limit | 9 Dec 2008 |
| Right whale zone: Delaware Bay (1 Nov – 30 Apr) | Whale speed limit | 9 Dec 2008 |
| Right whale zone: Southeast US (15 Nov – 15 Apr) | Whale speed limit | 9 Dec 2008 |
| Right whale zone: Chesapeake Bay entrance (1 Nov – 30 Apr) | Whale speed limit | 9 Dec 2008 |
| Right whale zone: North Carolina to Georgia (1 Nov – 30 Apr) | Whale speed limit | 9 Dec 2008 |
| Right whale zone: Gulf of St. Lawrence north (22 Apr – 15 Nov 2026) | Whale speed limit | 22 Apr 2026 |
| Right whale zone: Gulf of St. Lawrence south (22 Apr – 15 Nov 2026) | Whale speed limit | 22 Apr 2026 |
| Whale zone: Gulf of Panama (1 Aug – 30 Nov) | Whale speed limit | 1 Dec 2014 |
Questions officers ask
What is an Emission Control Area?
A sea area set under MARPOL Annex VI where ships must burn fuel with no more than 0.10% sulphur (outside ECAs the limit is 0.50%, since 1 January 2020), or use an approved equivalent such as an exhaust gas cleaning system. Some ECAs also limit nitrogen oxides: ships built after the ECA's NOx date need Tier III engines there.
How many Emission Control Areas are there?
7 IMO ECAs are in force as of the date on this page: North American, U.S. Caribbean, North Sea, Baltic, Mediterranean, Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea. A further one, the North-East Atlantic ECA, was adopted on 1 May 2026 and enters into force on 1 September 2027. China and Korea also run national low-sulphur areas of their own.
Is the Mediterranean an Emission Control Area?
Yes. The Mediterranean Sea ECA (MEPC.361(79)) entered into force on 1 May 2024 and its 0.10% sulphur limit has applied since 1 May 2025. It covers sulphur and particulate matter, not NOx.
When do the Norwegian Sea and Canadian Arctic ECAs start?
Both were designated by MEPC.392(82) and entered into force on 1 March 2026. Their 0.10% sulphur limit applies from 1 March 2027, twelve months later, as with every new ECA.
When does the North-East Atlantic ECA start?
It was adopted at MEPC 84 (resolution MEPC.407(84)) on 1 May 2026 and enters into force on 1 September 2027. NaviBoss will draw it once IMO publishes the certified text with its positions.
Can a ship use a scrubber inside an ECA?
Yes, an approved exhaust gas cleaning system is an accepted equivalent under MARPOL Annex VI. But some ports and coastal states ban the discharge of open-loop wash water: Singapore's port limits, for one. Check the local rules before you run an open-loop scrubber.
What is the difference between an ECA and a MARPOL Special Area?
An ECA limits what comes out of the funnel (MARPOL Annex VI: sulphur, NOx, particulates). A MARPOL Special Area limits what goes over the side: oil, noxious liquids, sewage or garbage (Annexes I, II, IV and V), with stricter discharge rules inside.
What is a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA)?
An area IMO recognises as vulnerable to damage from shipping, such as the Great Barrier Reef or the Wadden Sea. Each comes with its own protective measures: routeing, areas to be avoided, compulsory pilotage or reporting.
How many miles of a Europe to Asia voyage are inside ECAs?
On Rotterdam to Singapore via Suez, 2,348 of the 8,414 nm (28%): the North Sea and the Mediterranean.
Sources and method
Areas are drawn from the IMO resolutions named in each row (official positions where IMO publishes them), the Marine Regions ECA layer (CC BY 4.0) and the national notices named. NaviBoss checks those sources every week; the last check was on 18 Oct 2026. The miles come from NaviBoss's router on its lane network, measured inside each area.
More guides
- Piracy mappiracy, war-risk and reporting areas
- Sea distances
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Your voyage, ECA by ECA
Pick two ports in NaviBoss and the Environment tool lists every ECA, Special Area and PSSA on the route, with the miles inside each and the entry and exit points. Free with an account.
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NaviBoss guides are written and checked by maritime industry experts, masters and deck officers. Each one is built from the same data the planner uses, dated, and rebuilt when that data changes. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.
A planning aid, not for navigation. Check MARPOL Annex VI, the flag and port state rules, the latest IMO circulars and your company's fuel change-over procedure before you rely on any limit or date here.