Mediterranean Sulphur Emission Control Area

23 Apr 2025 / Mediterranean Sea, Turkey

The entire Mediterranean (up to the Dardanelles) has been determined as the Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA) in terms of Sulphur Oxide (Sox) and Particulate Matter, and as the sulfur emission rules will be implemented as of 1 May 2025, it is of great importance to make the necessary preparations and take precautions, including adequate fuel supply in accordance with the 0.1% sulfur limit.

In the inspections carried out on ships that do not have an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS/Scrubber) within the scope of the sulfur emission requirements of the MARPOL Convention Annex VI, the presence and use of fuel that complies with the 0.1% sulfur limit, fuel delivery documents, fuel samples, fuel change procedures and records, fuel consumption calculation and low sulfur fuel amount will be checked as a priority, and if deemed necessary, fuel sample can be taken from the ship and fuel compliance test can be carried out. In this context, more intensive inspections will be carried out on ships in the Mediterranean SECA as of May 1, 2025, and within the scope of application:

  • Keeping fuel that complies with the 0.1% sulfur limit and fuel delivery documents on board,
  • Reviewing fuel change procedures and documents,
  • Carrying out procedures in accordance with the procedures on board,
  • Informing relevant ship personnel on the subject,
  • Recording the amount of low sulfur fuel in tanks and records of fuel changes when entering and leaving the SECA zone of the ship accurately and completely.
  • Starting to use low sulfur fuel before the time determined in the fuel consumption calculation before entering the SECA zone of the ship,
  • Keeping documents on board showing that the scrubber system installed on the ship complies with the 0.1% sulfur limit and keeping regular records on the use of these systems.

The above should be meticulously followed to avoid possible delays and detentions in navigation of the Mediterranean as of May 1, 2025.

(For information about operations in Turkiye, contact GAC Turkiye at [email protected])

Source: Extract from the Deniz Ticaret Odasi Chamber of Shipping Circular No: 327 dated 21 April 2025

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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