The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has extended its Emission Control Area (ECA) to include the Mediterranean Sea per MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14. This extension designating the Mediterranean Sea as an ECA zone will take effect on May 1, 2025.
This designation aims to reduce air pollution from ships, specifically targeting sulphur emissions. Under the new regulations, ships operating within the Mediterranean ECA will be required to use fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.1%, offering significant improvements of air quality and environment.
IMPACT ON SHIPPING OPERATIONS
As a result of the Mediterranean Sea designation by the IMO as an ECA zone, there will be higher operating costs to comply with the requirement to use fuels with limited sulphur content. Customers will contribute to the additional cost of compliance, similar to other forms of regulation such as IMO 2020.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
Given the increased operating costs of compliance for vessel operators, WEC Lines will apply a Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA) surcharge to all cargo from Mediterranean to East Africa, Red Sea, Pakistan and v.v.
From May 1, 2025, the SECA surcharge will be charged for all container types as per below table.
Southbound
| Origin | Destination | Amount per TEU |
| Barcelona, Valencia & Fos-sur-Mer | Aden, Djibouti, Jeddah, King Abdullah, Dar es Salaam, Mombasa & Pemba | $16,00 |
| Barcelona, Valencia & Fos-sur-Mer | Port Sudan, Sokhna, Moroni & Mutsamudu | € 15,00 |
Northbound
| Origin | Destination | Amount per TEU |
| Aden, Djibouti, Dar es Salaam & Mombasa | Barcelona, Valencia & Fos-sur-Mer | $16,00 |
| Dar es Salaam & Mombasa | Port Said W, Alexandria Old Port & Alexandria el Dekheila | $25,00 |
| Pakistan | Barcelona, Valencia & Fos-sur-Mer | $8,00 |
| Port Sudan | Barcelona, Valencia & Fos-sur-Mer | € 15,00 |
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
For more information, please visit contact your local representative.
