Free Tool

ECA Zone Checker

Does a port sit inside an Emission Control Area — and does the modelled sea route cross one? Screen a voyage against the five ECAs in force under MARPOL Annex VI.

Route-ECA screening needs modelled route geometry, so this picker covers the 111-port modelled network only. For any other port pair use the port distance tool (full port index).

SingaporeRotterdam
Port positionsSingapore: outside listed ECAs
Rotterdam: inside North Sea ECA
North Sea ECAFuel sulphur ≤ 0.10% m/m; NOx Tier III for ships constructed on/after 1 Jan 2021 — in force. Modelled route crosses this area (one port also sits inside it).
Mediterranean Sea ECAFuel sulphur ≤ 0.10% m/m — designated by IMO Res. MEPC.361(79); 0.10% sulphur limit applies from 1 May 2025. Modelled route crosses this area.
What this means for fuel planningInside an ECA, fuel sulphur is limited to 0.10% m/m (0.50% applies outside) unless an approved equivalent arrangement such as an exhaust-gas cleaning system is used. Changeover timing on entry and exit is an operational requirement under MARPOL Annex VI.

Indicative screening only. Route crossings are computed on a routing-model path over an open maritime network — your actual sailed route can differ and may enter or skirt an area differently. Port flags test the published port reference position. Boundaries: VLIZ Emission Control Area dataset (CC-BY-4.0, boundaries processed 2019) and the Mediterranean ECA boundary from IMO Resolution MEPC.361(79). Always verify ECA applicability and limits against the current text of MARPOL Annex VI and your flag State / class guidance before compliance decisions.

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Boundary data

Where the lines come from.

Published boundaries

Baltic, North Sea, North American and US Caribbean areas use the VLIZ Emission Control Area dataset (boundaries processed from MARPOL definitions, CC-BY-4.0 — © Flanders Marine Institute). The Mediterranean ECA is built from the boundary coordinates in IMO Resolution MEPC.361(79); its 0.10% sulphur limit applies from 1 May 2025.

Screening, not compliance

Crossings are tested against a modelled route, and port flags against the port reference position. Your sailed track — and your vessel, fuel system and flag — determine the real obligation. Confirm with MARPOL Annex VI and class/flag guidance.

Upcoming areas

  • North-East Atlantic ECA
    Approved by IMO at MEPC 83 (April 2025). Entry-into-force date and boundary to be verified before modelling. Not flagged by this checker yet.
  • Canadian Arctic ECA
    Designated by IMO Res. MEPC.392(82). Amendments in force 1 Mar 2026; the 0.10% sulphur limit applies from 1 Mar 2027. Not flagged by this checker yet.
  • Norwegian Sea ECA
    Designated by IMO Res. MEPC.392(82). Amendments in force 1 Mar 2026; the 0.10% sulphur limit applies from 1 Mar 2027. Not flagged by this checker yet.

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ECA-aware routing, built in.

Voyage Intel Pro evaluates route options with emission-area context alongside weather and cost.