IMO Approves World’s Largest Emission Control Area for North-East Atlantic Shipping
c: IMO
IMOAdopts World’s Largest Emission Control Area in the North-East Atlantic
By setting binding limits on pollutants from ships, the measure is expected to prevent more than 4,000 premature deaths and save up to €29 billion in health costs by 2050.
The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) has formally adopted the world’s largest Emission Control Area (ECA) in the North-East Atlantic Ocean. The decision establishes stricter emissions limits for ships operating in one of the busiest maritime corridors globally.
“This marks a milestone in tackling harmful air pollution from ships in Europe and the Arctic,” said Bryan Comer, Marine Program Director at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). “ICCT was honored to lead the technical research supporting the ECA, which shows that emissions reductions will be substantial, improving air quality for coastal communities and ultimately saving thousands of lives.”
The new ECA is expected to be fully implemented by September 2028. It will cover the exclusive economic zones of France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands—home to more than 190 million people. The area will also link existing ECAs in the Baltic, North, and Mediterranean Seas, as well as recently approved ECAs in the Norwegian Sea and Canadian Arctic.
Ships operating in the region will be subject to binding limits on fuel sulfur content to reduce sulfur oxides (SOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Vessels built on or after January 1, 2027, will also need to meet stricter engine standards to limit nitrogen oxides (NOx). These pollutants are linked to serious health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as premature death.
In addition to air quality impacts, SOx and NOx emissions contribute to ocean acidification, harming marine ecosystems and disrupting habitats for marine species.
The decision was finalized during the 84th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84), following a joint submission by 27 EU member states, Iceland, the United Kingdom, and the European Commission. The proposal was supported by technical analysis from ICCT in collaboration with Porto University.
ICCT research indicates that, under a likely compliance scenario, the ECA could reduce SOx emissions by up to 82% and PM2.5 by 64%. Nitrogen oxide emissions are expected to decline progressively as newer ships enter service, with potential reductions of up to 71% over time. These combined reductions are projected to prevent more than 4,000 premature deaths between 2030 and 2050 and save up to €29 billion in related health costs.
Emissions of black carbon—a potent climate pollutant and a key driver of Arctic warming—are also expected to decrease by 36%.
“The agreement to establish this ECA demonstrates that the IMO can deliver meaningful results for both people and the planet when environmental leadership is paired with strong technical analysis,” Comer added. “This is a practical step toward reducing shipping pollution and saving lives.”
About the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)
The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) is an independent nonprofit research organization founded to provide exceptional, objective, timely research and technical and scientific analysis to environmental regulators. Our work empowers policymakers and others worldwide to improve the environmental performance of road, marine, and air transportation to benefit public health and mitigate climate change. We began collaborating and working as a group of like-minded policymakers and technical experts, formalizing our status as a mission-driven non-governmental organization in 2005.