http://www.airclim.org/acidnews/2010/AN4-10/japan-preparing-eca-applicat
ion
Japan preparing for ECA application
Japan is planning to submit an application to the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) for an emission control area (ECA). Currently three
different options are being considered, ranging from localised
“micro-ECAs” to a comprehensive ECA similar to that adopted for North
America.
The “micro-ECAs” would introduce strict emission limits in waters around
some of the most densely populated areas with a high volume of shipping
traffic, such as Tokyo and Osaka Bay. The two other options are a 200
nautical mile (nm) or a 50 nm ECA zone in the coastal waters around
Japan. An assessment of costs and benefits is currently underway for the
different options.