Supporting Maritime Emission Control Areas

This project proposal is the follow-up to the EU Preparatory Project LIFE20 PRE_IT_000002PRE (LIFE4MEDECA) that, ending on December 2023, is supporting the establishment of the ECA (both SECA and NECA) in the Mediterranean.

Introduction

LIFE4MECA aims to support the preparation of the implementation of Emission Control Areas for sulphur oxides (SECA) in the Mediterranean Sea and the upcoming Atlantic SECA as well as for nitrogen oxides (NECA).

Specific Objectives

Its specific objectives are:

1. OBJ01 - Supporting ratification of MARPOL Annex VI among North African Countries and investigate how the issue of ECA substandard ships from non-EU countries can be addressed, e.g. by having fewer inspections when calling in EU ports.
2. OBJ02 - Provide technical support to the development of Atlantic-SECA scenarios and exchange best practices for the Atlantic ECA also in coordination with UNEP MAP (REMPEC) and IMO.
3. OBJ03 - Provide expertise to the MED ECA Countries.
4. OBJ04 - Map and facilitate access to existing financial incentive mechanisms also through coordination for cooperation and enforcement, including Ministries of Environment, Ministries of Transport, other authorities responsible for maritime shipping and other relevant authorities.
5. OBJ05 - Build upon results of LIFE4MEDECA (ending in 2023), SAFEMED V and WESTMED Initiative to create synergies/complementarity. Use the experience in the development of the existing ECAs to support the Atlantic ECA.
6. OBJ06 - Set up structures for supporting legislative governance, transfer of best practices and/or dialogue with industry (i.e. vessel owners and operators, ports).
7. OBJ07 - Identify further needs through communication and dialogue.

Project Phases

The project foresees 3 phases:

• Preparatory Actions: To set the bases for the whole project to be successfully carried out (OBJ01-OBJ05, partially OBJ02-OBJ07).
• Core Actions: For capacity building and support to MEDECA and ATLECA (OBJ03-OBJ04, partially OBJ02-OBJ07).
• Consolidation: Replication and exploitation of results (OBJ06, partially OBJ07).