NECA — NOx and Tier III

ECA / SECA / NECA — Geography and voyage file

ECA is the umbrella term. Assess SOx fuel/sulphur requirements separately from NOx Tier III ship/engine eligibility. Sources checked: 17 October 2026.

1. Baltic Sea — Scope and official sources
2. North Sea — Scope and official sources
3. North American — Scope and official sources
4. US Caribbean — Scope and official sources
5. Mediterranean — Scope and official sources
6. Canadian Arctic — Scope and official sources
7. Norwegian Sea — Scope and official sources
8. North-East Atlantic — Scope and official sources

For exact boundaries compare corrected ENC/ECDIS, MARPOL definitions and official coordinates. Do not assume a simple 200-mile ring around all North American coasts. SOx/NOx dates are separated in the tables below.

Before entry → within the area → on exit

1. Establish route and date: record official coordinates, ETA, SOx application date and NOx eligibility for each crossing.
2. Verify BDN, samples, tank contents and remaining high-sulphur fuel. Assess mixing, temperature/viscosity and compatibility with the chief engineer.
3. Complete fuel changeover before entry. Determine start using vessel procedures, service/circulation systems, consumption and maker constraints; no universal minutes/miles rule applies.
4. Where required check certified SCR/EGR or other approved NOx mode, reagent, alarms and maker conditions. Low-sulphur fuel alone does not meet Tier III.
5. Monitor fuel/NOx mode and failures within the area. Scrubber approval is not permission for wash-water discharge at every port.
6. Record exit, changeovers and deviations under applicable procedures. Follow company/flag/relevant authority reporting for non-compliance. A FONAR is not an automatic exemption.

Inspection-ready document file

• Corrected ENC/route, boundary coordinates and entry/exit plan.
• IAPP supplement; relevant engines’ EIAPP, NOx Technical File and certified operating instructions.
• BDN for at least 3 years; MARPOL delivered sample until fuel is substantially consumed and in any event at least 12 months. Check other sampling provisions separately.
• Fuel changeover procedure; required tank quantity, date, time and position records; applicable NOx mode on/off records.
• Where applicable: EGCS approval/monitoring records, local discharge restrictions, failure and reporting evidence.

ECA, ETS/FuelEU, MARPOL Annex I special areas and IBF areas have different scopes. None substitutes for the others’ boundaries or permissions.

FOUR-STAGE TOPIC OVERVIEW

Establish applicability, then verify the operation

1. 1

   Engine identity

2. 2

   Area/construction threshold

3. 3

   Certified system/mode

4. 4

   Status/fault record

NOx applicability checks — 17 October 2026

This table does not automatically declare every engine Tier III. Check installation/replacement, power, exceptions and certified method together.

MASTER • RESPONSIBLE OFFICER • COMPANY

Six field checks

1. Match each engine kW/identity, EIAPP and file.
2. Identify area and construction/installation conditions.
3. Confirm engine-specific Tier applicability with technical office.
4. Check certified system mode and consumables.
5. Keep required entry/exit, mode and failure records.
6. Use authorised exception/failure notification procedures.

Educational checklist. Completion is not operational/compliance approval; use the relevant vessel permits/forms separately.

Documents to have available

• ▤EIAPP and NOx Technical File
• ▤Engine Parameter Record Book / applicable records
• ▤SCR/EGR manual and reagent information
• ▤Construction/installation dates and flag assessment

Open the official sources

Legal instruments, explanatory guidance and operational bulletins have different roles. Check later amendments and consolidated texts where needed. Access and external documents remain under the publisher’s control.

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