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Stricter Sulphur Emission Rules in the Mediterranean from 1 May 2025
Mediterranean SECA (REMPEC/WG.50/INF.7 Date: 23 April 2021)
As of 1 May 2025, tougher sulphur emission restrictions will apply throughout the Mediterranean as the world’s 5th Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA) comes into force.
The maximum admissible sulphur content for marine fuels will drop to 0.10 % m/m for all vessels both at berth and at sea.
Before 1 May 2025, a 0.50% m/m upper limit applied to all vessels sailing in European Union territorial waters or exclusive economic zones. Only vessels at berth for more than two hours were obliged to respect a 0,10% m/m limit.
REMPEC/WG.50/INF.7 Date: 23 April 2021
With the establishment of the new “ECAMED”, the stricter 0,10% m/m sulphur emission limit under MARPOL Annex VI now applies to all vessels at sea across three continents.
SECA’s designated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) already exist in the:
- Baltic Sea
- North Sea
- North American Emission Control Area
- United States Caribbean Sea Emission Control Area.
Legal Liability and Penalties in France
According to Article L218-15 § II of the Environmental Code, captains of ships found in violation of sulphur emission limits can face imprisonment of up to one year and fines of up to Euros 200,000. However, according to Article L218-23, the responsibility for paying the fine may be transferred to the shipowner or operator under certain circumstances.