Analysis of the prevailing weather conditions criteria to evaluate the adoption of a future ECA in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Appendix III of MARPOL´s Annex VI sets out the criteria and procedures for designating an emission control area (ECA).This criteria includes: a clear delineation of the proposed ECA; land and sea areas at risk; emission quantification and impact assessment; prevailing weather conditions; data on marine traffic; and land based measures concurrent with the ECA adoption. This paper analyses one of these parameters: prevailing weather conditions to evaluate the adoption of a future ECA in the Mediterranean Sea. Results will demonstrate how marine emissions will impact the sea and land ecology in the Mediterranean area.