From Monday 3 November, two Port Authority vessels with e-noses on their roof will be sailing in the Botlek and the Europoort. These are the RPA 2 and the RPA 3. The e-nose or electronic nose is a compact measurement instrument that can observe changes in the air’s composition and, in this way, detect irritating, hazardous and unhealthy air/gases, the company said in its press release.
The e-noses form part of the We-nose network of approximately 100 electronic noses in the port area. The plan is to expand this network to 300 e-noses by 2016.
The use of electronic noses is in line with the Port Authority’s ambition to become the most sustainable port of its kind. The e-nose enables companies, municipalities and the environmental protection agency to respond more quickly to irritating or hazardous gases.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority, DCMR Rijnmond Environmental Protection Agency, Rotterdam-Rijnmond Safety Region, the Province of Zuid-Holland, the Municipality of Rotterdam, the Municipality of Maassluis, Deltalinqs and Vopak cooperated in the establishment of the We-nose network.