Mediterranean States are reviewing plans to designate the entire Mediterranean Sea as a Nitrogen Oxides Emission Control Area, IMO said in a news release.
A meeting of regional experts in Lija, Malta, held on 18–19 November and organized by the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) through the International Maritime Organization’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme, examined REMPEC’s draft Final Technical and Feasibility Study assessing environmental, health, technical, and economic implications of a potential Med NOx ECA.
More than 40 representatives from 20 Mediterranean countries and several international organizations reviewed the document, which is co-financed by the International Maritime Organization, France, and the Mediterranean Trust Fund, and is intended to support a future submission to the International Maritime Organization. Participants noted expected benefits from reducing NOx emissions, discussed compliance options and possible implementation timelines, and considered lessons from the Med SOx ECA that entered into effect earlier this year.
Delegates agreed to forward recommendations to the next REMPEC Focal Points Meeting in 2027, including the urgent ratification and implementation of MARPOL Annex VI and endorsement of the Technical and Feasibility Study. They also requested continued technical and financial assistance for countries requiring support.
REMPEC will consolidate the meeting’s outcomes to inform subsequent decision-making by the Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations Environment Programme (/MAP).
REMPEC (Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea) is an institution operating under the Mediterranean Action Plan of UNEP. It provides technical support to Mediterranean countries on marine pollution preparedness and response, facilitates regional cooperation, and manages specialized capacity-building and coordination activities related to maritime environmental protection.
The International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for developing and maintaining the global regulatory framework for international shipping. Its work covers safety, environmental protection, legal and technical standards, and capacity-building for member states.
/MAP (Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations Environment Programme) is a regional environmental cooperation framework under UNEP that coordinates policies and activities aimed at protecting the marine and coastal environment of the Mediterranean basin. It oversees various regional bodies and initiatives, including REMPEC.
