North-east Atlantic joins the expanding network of ECAs

Recent amendments to MARPOL Annex VI adopted at MEPC 84 introduce the North-East Atlantic as a new Emission Control Area (ECA) for nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM). The regulations enter into force on 1 September 2027.

Information for: Owners/managers, and flag states.

21 Statutory

NEED TO KNOW
  • The new North-East Atlantic ECA will enter into force on 1 September 2027, creating a continuous emissions control area across much of the North Atlantic.
  • SOx limits (0.10% sulphur) will apply from 1 September 2028.
  • Ships meeting the MARPOL “three‑date” criteria (from 1 January 2027 onward) must comply with Tier III NOx limits for engines above 130 kW when operating in the ECA.

North-East Atlantic ECA

In general, the ECAs are designed to reduce air pollution from NOx, SOx and PM, and play a vital role in protecting sensitive marine environments as well as improving air quality for nearby communities.

The latest addition is the North-East Atlantic ECA, covering the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and territorial seas of Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and mainland UK that are not already included in existing ECAs. The EEZs surrounding Madeira, the Azores and the Canary Islands will be excluded. The precise ECA boundaries are defined by exact coordinates in Appendix VII of the revised MARPOL Annex VI.

Once in force, this designation will create a continuous ECA across the North-East Atlantic, linking the Canadian Arctic, Norwegian Sea, North Sea and Mediterranean Sea ECAs into a single, connected regulatory area.

NORTH-EAST ATLANTIC JOINS THE EXPANDING NETWORK OF ECAS

Application

The North-East Atlantic ECA, as part of the next amendments to Annex VI of MARPOL, will enter into force on 1 September 2027. The effective dates will be as follows:

SOx requirements

The sulphur limits for new North-East Atlantic ECA take effect 12 months after entry into force, in other words on 1 September 2028. From that date onwards, ships must use fuel with a sulphur content of no more than 0.10%.

Alternatively, compliance may be achieved using exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) when operating on higher-sulphur fuels. However, it should be noted that restrictions on the use of open-loop EGCSs are becoming increasingly stringent, particularly in the coastal waters of northern Europe under OSPAR (please refer to our Technical and Regulatory News No. 26/2025), thereby limiting this as a practical compliance option in the region.

NOx requirements

The NOx requirements will apply to new ships constructed on or after 1 January 2027, in accordance with the “three-date” principle. In this case, this means a ship:

  1. for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 January 2027; or
  2. in the absence of a building contract, the keel of which is laid or which is at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 July 2027; or
  3. the delivery of which is on or after 1 January 2031.

If any of these criteria are met, to operate a diesel engine above 130 kW within the North- East Atlantic ECA, it must be certified in compliance with Tier III NOx emission limits. The same requirements also apply to non- identical replacement engines, or additional engines installed on existing ships.

Ships less than 24 metres in length that are specifically designed and used solely for recreational purposes are exempt. Exemptions also apply to engines installed on ships with a combined diesel engine propulsion power of less than 750 kW (based on nameplate capacity), where compliance with Tier III requirements is demonstrated to be infeasible due to design or construction limitations.

Finally, ships delivered or undergoing repair, conversion or similar work within an NOx ECA are temporarily exempt from Tier III requirements until exiting the ECA. This exemption applies only if the engine meets Tier II limits and the vessel proceeds directly to or from the shipyard or repair facility without conducting cargo operations within the ECA.

Recommendations

Operators should assess fleet compliance strategies early on, including fuel selection and engine certification, and potential regional restrictions on EGCS use. Proactive planning for both newbuilds and retrofits will be essential to ensure smooth compliance with the forthcoming North-East Atlantic ECA requirements.

References