Under Directive 1999/32/EC as amended by Directive 2005/33/EC the North Sea SECA came into on 11 August 2007 (this is in advance of the IMO application date of 22 November 2007). EU member States are now required to enforce the applicable MARPOL Annex VI requirements to vessels of all flags in their ports. This enforcement can include inspection of the necessary documentation and equipment and detention of non-compliant vessels which present a danger to those on board or an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment.
Further background information can be found in the following the Steamship Mutual website articles:
