---

The International Maritime Organization(IMO)'s Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) has approved a proposal to designate certain waters adjacent to the coast of Puerto Rico (United States) and the Virgin Islands (United States) as an ECA for the control of emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOX), sulphur oxide (SOX), and particulate matter under MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships.

The news follows reports that the 61st meeting of the MEPC in London last week had failed to make progres on the issue of an ECA in Caribbean waters. However, the IMO has confirmed that the proposal was finally approved and will be considered for adoption at the next MEPC session.

Currently, there are two designated ECAs under Annex VI, the Baltic Sea area and the North Sea area, while a third area, the North American ECA, was adopted in March 2010, with expected entry into force in August 2011.