Cruise companies are standing against a proposal to form a low-emissions buffer zone around the United States and Canada, citing that it sets arbitrary demarcations based on faulty science that overstates the health benefits.

The proposed Emissions Control Area is reported to extend to 200 nautical miles, which is 230 statute miles (370 km), around the coast of the two nations and set stringent new restrictions on air pollution from ocean-going ships beginning in 2015.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the U.N. agency that frames regulations for ships operating internationally, is speculated to accept the proposal at its weeklong meeting that initiates on Monday in London.

"Our estimate is that in today's market it's probably 40 percent more expensive," said Michael Crye, executive vice president of technical and regulatory affairs for the Cruise Lines International Association, known as CLIA.

The Environmental Defense Fund activist group are revealed to be in favour of the plan, revealing that the hazardous air pollution caused from these floating smokestacks poses a potential health threat to tens of millions of Americans who live and work in port cities.