Cleaner air in and around the Mediterranean Sea can be
achieved by full and effective ratification and implementation of MARPOL Annex
VI regulations to prevent air pollution from ships. This was the topic for
national workshops held in Egypt (25 November) and Algeria (26 November). The
workshops were organized by REMPEC, the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency
Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea, in cooperation with IMO.
As well as emphasising the importance of ratification of
Annex VI, the workshops also discussed a planned proposal to possibly designate
the Mediterranean Sea as a sulphur emission control area (ECA). This would
limit the sulphur content in fuel oil burnt by ships to 0.10%. compared to the
global limit outside ECAS of 0.50%. The world's busiest shipping lanes are
found in the Mediterranean, so the impact and benefits of the proposed ECA for
human health and the environment would be keenly felt, especially in the
densely populated coastal zones.
Due to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, the workshops were
delivered online. Participants included various stakeholders from government,
including maritime safety and port authorities, as well as other organisations
and institutions directly related to the subject, such as shipping companies,
port companies and maritime training institutes.
Lebanon is next in line to receive the same workshop on 10
December. Algeria, Egypt and Lebanon are
not yet parties to MARPOL Annex VI.