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

01/10/24

Edited Volume – Unraveling the Impact of Environmentally Harmful Subsidies in the Mediterranean

Despite a promising international momentum towards sustainable development, unsustainable practices persist, often supported by economic incentives that promote the expansion of activity at the expense

Read more
18/09/24

Catalyzing coastal adaptation finance in Montenegro – Rapid Capacity Assessment

This report analyzes Montenegro’s adaptation strategies and needs to address the impacts of climate change in its coastal areas, particularly the Bay of Kotor, one

Read more
27/08/24

Plan Bleu’s activity report

2023 was a very active year for Plan Bleu. Focal points meeting, the meeting of the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development in June in Marseille,

Read more
Plan Bleu
Building the Mediterannean’s future together
Plan Bleu