As we well know, since 1st May 2025, the entire Mediterranean Sea has been an Emission Control Area (ECA) for sulphur oxides. In particular, ships operating anywhere inside the boundary must use max 0,10% sulphur fuel (or an approved equivalent such as an EGCS/scrubber).
In substance, there are two main EU regimes overlaying the Mediterranean ECA for those voyages touching EU ports:
1) EU ETS (carbon pricing), which started in 2024 with the aim of reducing emissions by 40% in 2024, 70% in 2025, and 100% from 2026, with allowances surrendered each year.
2) FuelEU Maritime (fuel GHG intensity), in force from 2025, with the aim of a GHG intensity reduction versus 2020 levels.
Important to remark as, nowadays, MARPOL still permits EGCS as the only “equivalent” to 0,10% sulphur, even though wash water discharge bans are spreading around the areas. In the North Europe Atlantic regions, for instance, open-loop discharges will be banned from July 2027, closed-loop discharges from January 2029 and several states already restrict the open-loop ones within 12 nautical miles. Any extension toward the Med would hinge on national decisions (notably Spain and France).
Latest datas are showing that, still, most European ports are behind schedule in the program, with only 20% of required connections installed or contracted so far, putting pressure on Med hubs to accelerate projects.
What does it mean for operators in the Mediterranean?
For sure, all these coming rules are leading to a completely new market, where freight rate calculations are now strongly affected by these taxes, consequently increasing the costs of transport via sea.
Much more Owners every day decide not to call EU ports, so to save on those potential emission penalties and don’t be involved in huge emission costs.
