Could another Emissions Control Area (ECA) cause havoc for cruise lines? Italy is moving forward to include an ECA in the Ionian and Adriatic Seas starting in 2018 (Legislative Decree 112 of July 16, 2014 effective from August 27, 2014).

Responding to a request from Cruise Industry News, CLIA has released the following statement:

CLIA is analyzing the approval of a decree coming from the Italian Authorities to implement the EU Sulphur Directive with the possibility of including within it an Emission Control Area in the Ionian and Adriatic Sea as from 1 January 2018, and from 1 January 2020 for other sea areas, with a maximum sulphur content of 0.10%.

Our member lines have always recognized their obligation to comply with the introduction of any Emission Control Areas assigned by the IMO.

Any introduction of ECAs should always be based on environmental needs, as demonstrated by sound science, and accompanied by a full cost-benefit analysis.

This variation of the EU Sulphur Directive is uncertain in its language and format, as the final implementation can only be reached with other relevant member states to adopt a similar position in their jurisdictional waters.

CLIA continues to believe that the environmental basis underpinning the shift to 0.5% sulphur content oil in EU waters for 2020, as mandated by the EU Sulphur Directive, remains the appropriate mechanism for the transition to the use of low sulphur fuels in EU Waters.

CLIA is working actively with the Italian authorities to understand the cost-benefit analysis, environmental justification and feasibility of the decree.