Regional Workshop on the consistent implementation of IMO 2020 and the 0.10% sulphur limit under MARPOL Annex VI in the Mediterranean Sea Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides and Particulate Matter (Med SOx ECA)

The Regional Workshop on the consistent implementation of IMO 2020 and the 0.10% sulphur limit under Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) in the Mediterranean Sea Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides and Particulate Matter (Med SOx ECA) will be held in Malta, from 22 to 23 May 2024.

The Workshop will be organised by the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC), in close cooperation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and financed by the IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) as well as the Mediterranean Trust Fund (MTF).

Context and objectives:

The 79^th Session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 79) (London, UK, 12-16 December 2022) adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI concerning the Med SOx ECA, with an expected date of entry into effective application on 1 May 2025.

The Fifteenth Meeting of the Focal Points of REMPEC (Malta, 13-15 June 2023) called upon the Secretariat (REMPEC) to provide support for the consistent implementation of the 0.10% sulphur limit under MARPOL Annex VI in the Med SO_X ECA during the biennium 2024-2025.

In this context, the principal objectives of the Workshop will be:

① to raise awareness on MARPOL Annex VI and related Guidelines, notably the consistent implementation of IMO 2020 and the 0.10% sulphur limit under MARPOL Annex VI in the Med SO_X ECA;

② to strengthen regional capacity for an effective implementation and enforcement of MARPOL Annex VI;

③ to assist countries in the region, where applicable, to accept MARPOL Annex VI;

④ to exchange about best practices, including lessons learned from other Emission Control Areas (ECAs) that were established by IMO (e.g. the Baltic Sea area; the North Sea area); and

⑤ to review the draft Guidance Document on the consistent implementation of the 0.10% sulphur limit under MARPOL Annex VI in the Med SOx ECA, prepared by REMPEC.

Target audience:

The target audience for the Workshop will be Government officials responsible for ratification, implementation and enforcement of MARPOL Annex VI. Some participants will represent authorities/organisations responsible for the regulation of shipping, and other participants will represent authorities/organisations in charge of issues related to the marine environment.

Programme and documents of the Workshop: