The global limit for the sulphur content in marine fuel, set at 0.50% by mass (m/m), became effective on January 1, 2020, under the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) MARPOL convention. However, several specific areas or regions have implemented their own, stricter regulations with even lower permissible sulphur levels, reports Britannia P&I Club.
Emission Control Areas
Currently, there are five designated Emission Control Areas (ECAs) established to regulate the emissions of Sulphur Oxides (SOx) from ships. Within these ECAs, the sulphur content of the fuel used is capped at a maximum of 0.10% mass by mass (m/m). These existing ECAs are: the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the North American ECA, the United States Caribbean Sea ECA, and the Mediterranean Sea ECA.
For the Mediterranean Sea ECA, the requirement to use fuel with a sulphur content limit of 0.10% m/m came into effect on May 1, 2025. This followed a 12-month exemption period as outlined in Regulation 14.7 of MARPOL Annex VI.
Looking ahead, two new ECAs, the ‘Canadian Arctic Waters’ ECA and the ‘Norwegian Sea’ ECA, are scheduled to come into force on March 1, 2026. The 0.10% m/m fuel sulphur limit within these new ECAs will become enforceable 12 months after this date, on March 1, 2027.
It is strongly advised to verify the most up-to-date status of these regulations with the latest IMO updates or official communications to ensure compliance.
National and Regional Requirements
AUSTRALIA
- Cruise ships berthing in Sydney Harbour (capacity > 100 passengers) must limit sulphur emissions (using fuel <0.10% m/m or alternative like EGCS or shore power) from one hour after arrival to one hour before departure (AMSA 02/2024).
CHINA
- Inland Water ECAs (parts of Yangtze and Xi Jiang Rivers): Fuel sulphur content ≤ 0.10% m/m required from 1 January 2020.
- Hainan Coastal ECA (territorial sea including Hainan): Fuel sulphur content ≤ 0.10% m/m required from 1 January 2022.
- ECGS generally accepted, but open scrubbers banned in certain Coastal ECA areas.
- Ships with shore power must connect and utilize it at ports with operational facilities. Non-compliance may face penalties.
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
- Ships of all flags berthed in EU ports must use fuels with ≤ 0.10% sulphur content since 1 January 2010 (EU Sulphur Directive 2016/802).
- Transition to low-sulphur fuel should begin ASAP after berthing and revert as close to departure as possible.
- Exemptions for ships berthed < 2 hours (per published timetable) or fully switching to shore power.
- “Berthed” defined as securely moored or anchored in an EU port during loading, unloading, hotelling, or idle without cargo operations.
ICELAND
- Territorial sea and internal waters (including fjords and bays) require fuel with ≤ 0.10% sulphur content since 1 January 2020, aligning with MARPOL ECA limits.
- Territorial waters extend 12nm from the coastline.
ISRAEL
- All ships berthed or anchored within port limits must use marine fuels with ≤ 0.10% sulphur content since 23 February 2023.
- Ships with flag state-approved EGCS can use non-compliant fuels, but scrubber wash water discharge is prohibited within port limits.
- Fuel changeover must be within one hour of arrival and reverted as late as possible before departure.
- Members advised to review Israeli government’s Notice MP 27 for detailed guidance.
NORWAY
- Norwegian World Heritage Fjord region (Geirangerfjord, Sunnylvsfjord, Tafjord, Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord): Incorporated into the North Sea ECA since 1 March 2019, applying the ≤ 0.10% m/m sulphur limit.
- All ships calling at Norwegian ports mandated to use marine fuels with ≤ 0.10% m/m sulphur content since Norway adopted the EU Sulphur Directive (1 January 2020).
- Norway plans to introduce zero-emission regulations for cruise ships, tourist vessels, and ferries in UNESCO-listed fjords by 2026.
USA – STATE OF CALIFORNIA
- Within 24 nautical miles of the California coastline, stricter local requirements apply under the California Ocean-Going Vessel Fuel Regulation (CARB), despite being part of the ‘North American’ ECA.
- Prohibits the use of residual fuels and EGCS. Only distillate fuels (e.g., MGO or MDO) with ≤ 0.10% m/m sulphur content are allowed.
- At Berth Ocean Going Vessels Regulations: Previously applied to container, refrigerated cargo, and cruise ships; now expanded to include roll-on/roll-off ships statewide and tanker ships at Los Angeles and Long Beach ports from 1 January 2025. Planned statewide application for all tanker terminals from 1 January 2027.
- Emissions control (OPS or CARB-approved Emission Control Strategy – CAECS) must be operational within two hours of being ‘Ready to Work’ and not disconnected more than one hour before outbound pilot boarding.
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Source: Britannia P&I Club
