Sulphur Limit (0.10%)

The 0.10% m/m sulphur limit is the cap on fuel oil sulphur content inside an Emission Control Area under MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14.4. It took effect in the Baltic and North Sea SOx ECAs on 1 January 2015, applies in the North American and United States Caribbean ECAs, and from 1 May 2025 applies in the Mediterranean Sea ECA under MEPC.361(79). Ships either burn fuel at or below 0.10% sulphur or use an exhaust gas cleaning system accepted as equivalent under Regulation 4. It is one-fifth of the 0.50% global cap, reflecting the higher protection given to coastal populations near these areas.