Emission Control Areas (ECAs) are special zones of shipping that are defined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to reduce the environmental impacts of shipping. These areas are established in certain regions where the level of air pollution from ships is considered to be a significant threat to human health or the environment.

The following ECAs are currently established:

• Baltic Sea (since May 2006, only SOx)
• North Sea, including the Channel (since November 2007, only SOx)
• 24 nautical miles off the Californian coast, offshore islands are part of the coastal line (since July 2009)
• 200 nautical miles off the North American coasts of Canada and the USA, including the Great Lakes and Hawaii (since August 2012, SOx, NOx, PM)
• The coastal waters around Puerto Rico and the American Virgin Islands (the so-called U.S. Caribbean Emission Area) (from 2014, SOx, NOx, PM)

To reduce emissions within these ECAs, ships are required to use fuels with lower sulfur content and to install emission control technologies such as scrubbers, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, and particulate filters. These technologies help to reduce the amount of pollutants that are released into the air by ships.

As you mentioned, the Emission Control Area of the North Sea and Baltic Sea has a requirement of 1.0% sulfur content in the fuel since 2010 and 0.1% from 2015 onward.

It's also important to note that IMO is also working on reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, as the maritime sector contributes to around 2.5% of global GHG emissions. IMO has set an initial target for reducing the sector’s total annual GHG emissions by at least 40% by 2030, compared to 2008.

The establishment of new ECAs is being considered in various regions to help protect the environment from shipping emissions. It is essential for the shipping industry to work towards compliance with these stricter regulations in order to mitigate the environmental impacts of shipping.