SOx ECA Cap
D6. Decarbonization, emissions and alternative fuelsDefinition
0.10 percent sulfur cap within Emission Control Areas.
Inside emission control areas the sulphur limit is 0.10% by mass, five times stricter than the 0.50% global cap, in force since 2015 under MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14. Ships entering an ECA must switch to compliant distillate or run a scrubber, and they log the fuel-changeover time and position for inspection. The ECA cap cuts SOx and the fine particulates linked to coastal health impacts, which is why ECAs cluster around North America and northern Europe.
Source: MARPOL Annex VI Reg. 14