ECA compliance and enforcement – legal regime for ships

Maritime Law Department, Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Gdańsk

^* dpyc@prawo.ug.edu.pl

Abstract

This paper addresses the importance of the prevention air pollution from ships in terms of international legal compliance and enforcement. In addition to effectively enforcing international norms, standards and procedures, flag States have an obligation to prevent polluting ships from sailing. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) has been described by the International Maritime Organization as “the most ambitious international treaty covering maritime pollution ever adopted”. Annex VI of the MARPOL allows for the establishment of Emission Control Areas (ECAs). ECAs have been implemented to reduce the amount of air pollution from ships. The new ECA regulations entered into force on the 1^st of January 2015. First and foremost, this paper examines some aspects of the implementation of the new ECA regulations on shipping industry and control air emissions in the Baltic Sea ECA. Moreover, it outlines that Port State Control and Flag State Control are commitment to monitor and enforce compliance through inspections and penalties.