Joint HELMEPA/REMPEC/IBIA Webinar on Med SOx ECA – Apr 29, 2025

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REMPEC co-organised the Webinar on β€œπ‘»π’‰π’† π‘΄π’†π’…π’Šπ’•π’†π’“π’“π’‚π’π’†π’‚π’ 𝑺𝑢𝒙 π‘¬π’Žπ’Šπ’”π’”π’Šπ’π’π’” π‘ͺ𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂" taking effect on May 1st 2025, on 29 April 2025, in cooperation with HELMEPA and IBIA with 𝟐𝟐𝟎+ participating seafarers, shipping companies, maritime and port administrations of Mediterranean States and shipping service providers.

The establishment of the Mediterranean Sulphur Emission Control Area (Med SOx ECA) will be effectively implemented on 1 May 2025.  

The webinar provided an overview of the regulatory framework and requirements associated with the entry into effective implementation of the Med SOx ECA.  It  also served as a forum for exchange of views in related technical and policy matters and raise more awareness.

The webinar addressed the following objectives:

Mediterranean SOx ECA and the need for emissions reduction in the region

  • Designation of the Med SOx ECA - Main Benefits
  • What must ships do to comply with the new regulations
  • How will the Med SOx ECA be enforced
  • Documentation onboard
  • What can seafarers, shipping companies and maritime stakeholders do to be prepared

 Bunkering implications of the Mediterranean SOx ECA

  • Summary of findings for fuel supply and availability from the Mediterranean SOx ECA proposal to IMO
  • Impact on bunker demand/fuel supply in the Mediterranean and possible implications for shipping/coastal States
  • Impact of current and future GHG regulations on bunkering in the Mediterranean – potential for the IMO Net-Zero Framework to be a game changer

Presentations were delivered by Mr Ivan Sammut Head of Office, REMPEC and Dr Edmund Hughes PhD, IBIA's representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).