list of Emission Control Area (ECA) names 2025

Emission Control Area (ECA) is the name of designated marine areas with stricter rules and regulations to limit and reduce air pollution from ships.

Major ECAs names as of year 2025:

Baltic Sea ECA. It covers the Baltic Sea, including the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland. this area is (SOx only)

North Sea ECA. It covers the North Sea, including the Skagerrak and the English Channel. This area is (SOx only)

North American ECA. It runs along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the USA and Canada, as well as through the Gulf of Mexico. This area is ( SOx, NOx, and PM )

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United States Caribbean Sea ECA. Includes control zones around Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This area is ( SOx, NOx, and PM )

Mediterranean Sea ECA. Since May 1, 2025, it covers the entire Mediterranean Sea. This area is (SOx only)

Canadian Arctic (NOx and SOx). become NOx ECAs from 1 March 2026

Norwegian Sea (NOx and SOx). become NOx ECAs from 1 March 2026

rom this date, in accordance with MARPOL Annex VI Regulations 13, as amended by IMO Resolution MEPC.392(82), ships operating in either the Canadian Arctic ECA or Norwegian Sea ECA with a marine diesel engine with power output of more than 130kW are required to be certified to the NOx Technical Code 2008 to meet the NOx Tier III standard, as follows:

• For the Canadian Arctic ECA, ships with keels laid or at a similar stage of 
  construction on or after 1 January 2025.
• For the Norwegian Sea ECA:
  • Ships with a building contract placed on or after 1 March 2026
  • In absence of a building contract, ships with keels laid or at a similar 
    stage of construction on or after 1 September 2026; or
  • The delivery is on or after 1 March 2030

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