Government representatives and experts from across the Mediterranean have gathered in Malta for the 16th Meeting of REMPEC Focal Points. REMPEC, the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre, helps countries prevent and respond to marine pollution, especially pollution caused by ships.
In her address, Environment and Energy Minister Miriam Dalli stated, “The Mediterranean is our shared treasure, and it is under real pressure. Malta in particular stands to suffer if our sea suffers. This meeting is about taking action; cleaner air, safer seas, and a better quality of life for all who live around this beautiful but fragile sea. Malta is proud to host REMPEC and to lead by example.”
Minister Dalli highlighted Malta’s ongoing shore-to-ship power project by Infrastructure Malta, which allows ships to plug into electricity while docked, instead of burning fuel and polluting the air. With pollution and climate risks growing, the Minister stressed that working together is the only way forward. “No country can protect the Mediterranean alone. It takes cooperation, leadership, and action.”
The meeting has two main goals: to review progress since the last gathering in 2023, and to agree on REMPEC’s future work plan for 2026–2027. That plan will go to Athens for approval this September and then be officially adopted at a major Mediterranean environmental summit (COP 24) in Egypt this December.
One of the biggest successes discussed was the upcoming Med SOx ECA; a new Emission Control Area in the Mediterranean that will drastically reduce sulphur emissions from ships starting in May 2025. Talks are also ongoing about tackling nitrogen oxide emissions.
REMPEC’s work covers a wide range of activities, including training, emergency assistance, and sharing information between countries.
