The SECA zones (Sulphur Emission Control Area) are maritime areas in which strict controls of merchant ships have been established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to minimize emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx).
SECA areas around the world
i) Baltic Sea and North Sea for sulfur emissions (SOx) only
ii) North America and United States Caribbean Sea Area for emissions of sulfur (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates (VOCs).
Sulphur emission requirements in SECA
Outside ECA:-
Ship built before 1 Jan 2012 – 4.5 % mass by mass
Ship built on or after 1 Jan 2012 – 3.5 % mass by mass
Ship built on or after 1 Jan 2020 – 0.5 % mass by mass
Inside ECA:-
Ship built before 1 July 2010- 1.5% mass by mass
Ship built on or after 1 July 2010 1.0 % mass by mass
Ship built on or after 1 Jan 2015 – 0.1 % mass by mass
If the ship is within SECA area, one of the following conditions must be fulfilled :-
1. Sulphur content should within the limits.
2. Exhaust cleaning system to reduce sulphur
oxide to 6 g-SOx/KWh or less
3. Any other method must be used to reduce the contents as mentioned above
