Technical Report : Socio-economic study on the possible designation of the Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides (Med SOx ECA)

The present report is the outcome of an activity financed by the Mediterranean Trust Fund (MTF) and implemented by the Plan Bleu Regional Activity Centre (PB/RAC) of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in cooperation with Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) as well as the Mediterranean Pollution Assessment and Control Programme (MED POL).

It provides additional economic impact assessment and completes the overall information gathering and analyses requested by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention. It provides additional economic impact assessment and completes the overall information gathering and analyses requested by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention. It investigates the potential permanent and transitional changes in competitiveness of the shipping industry, due to compliance with the requirements of an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides (SOx ECA), possibly leading to rerouting of shipping routes to maintain competitiveness, and/or a change in transport mode from maritime to road/train/air transport to occur as a market response to a potential loss of competitiveness of shipping operators. It also analyses the permanent and transitional additional costs and benefits and their distribution for economies and citizens, as well as the economic impacts on ports and refineries.

and refineries. Plan Bleu is proud to have contributed, together with REMPEC and MED POL, to establishing the knowledge base needed to move forward with the proposal for the possible designation of the Med SOx ECA.

Other recent publications

14/11/25

Socio-Economic Impact Study on Implementing Conservation Measures for Cartilaginous Species in the Gulf of Sirte, Libya

This comprehensive socio-economic impact assessment was commissioned by Plan Bleu/RAC and developed in close collaboration with SPA/RAC. It evaluates the potential impacts of implementing conservation

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14/11/25

Towards a Mediterranean NECA: Contextual Foundations and Sectoral Implications for Fisheries and Tourism

The report “Towards a Mediterranean NECA: Contextual Foundations and Sectoral Implications for Fisheries and Tourism”, developed by Plan Bleu, complements the REMPEC technical and feasibility

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12/11/25

From Knowledge to Action: Towards Sustainable Governance of Cruising and Recreational

The Pelagos Sanctuary, a tripartite Marine Protected Area between France, Monaco, and Italy, is a vital habitat for cetaceans, yet it faces increasing maritime traffic

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