The Mediterranean Sea has officially joined the ranks of the world’s most strictly regulated waters with the enforcement of new air pollution limits starting May 1, 2025. Now designated as a Sulphur Oxides Emission Control Area (Med SOx ECA) under MARPOL Annex VI, all ships navigating this strategic maritime hub must comply with a new cap on fuel sulphur content — just 0.1%, compared to the global standard of 0.5%.
This significant regulatory shift by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is expected to transform shipping operations, particularly for cruise ships, shipping containers, oil tankers, and bulk carriers operating along critical trade corridors in the region.
Lower sulphur emissions translate into major health improvements for people living along coastal cities, reducing risks of lung cancer, asthma, strokes, and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, cutting SOx emissions means fewer cases of acid rain, which protects marine ecosystems, agricultural crops, and forests.
Another key benefit: improved visibility at sea. The reduction in haze caused by ship exhaust will enhance navigation safety, especially in high-traffic areas like the Red Sea, Black Sea, and Caspian Sea, where visual range is crucial.
The Mediterranean Sea is responsible for handling more than 20% of global maritime trade, and nearly 24% of the world’s commercial fleet—including cruise liners such as Disney Cruise and container ships—pass through this region. With these new limits in place, shipping companies must either switch to low-sulphur fuels, adopt alternative energy sources, or install exhaust cleaning systems (scrubbers) to remain compliant.
This marks the fifth Emission Control Area under the IMO, following the Baltic Sea, North Sea, North American coasts, and the U.S. Caribbean. It follows recent designations of the Canadian Arctic and the Norwegian Sea in 2024, with the North-East Atlantic approved in April 2025 by MEPC 83.
These initiatives are part of the IMO's long-term strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, signaling a broader push toward cleaner and more sustainable maritime operations.
