Sea shipping is only responsible for 3% of the total pollution in the port of Rotterdam
Sea shipping is only responsible for 3% of the total emissions of greenhouse gas CO2 in and around the port of Rotterdam. This was demonstrated in a study carried out by Lloyd's Register - Fairplay in assignment to the Dutch Maritime Network Foundation (‘NML’).
It is estimated that the CO2 emissions by moored vessels and ships manoeuvring in the harbour amounts to about one million tons per year, out of 33 million tons in Rotterdam in total.
The researchers measured the pollution on one day, 26 April – a fairly busy day for the port. Every six minutes, a precise survey was made of where each of a group of 283 vessels was situated in the port, and whether they were moored or moving. The ships’ specifications were looked up in the ship registers.
Based on this information and fuel quality, a good estimate could be made on the emissions of CO2, NOx, SO2 and fine particles. This measurement method seems obvious, but had never been applied before, says NML chairman Niko Wijnolst.
According to Mr Wijnolst, the study demonstrates that shipping is certainly not the biggest source of air pollution in Rotterdam. With CO2 emissions of 6 million tons annually, the EON power plant in Rotterdam alone is responsible for six times the total emissions by ships.
It is remarkable that moored vessels are responsible for two thirds of the total emissions by vessels, and when moving for just one third. Air pollution by moored ships could be further reduced if they could receive access to a power source on the quay.
It is estimated that the CO2 emissions by moored vessels and ships manoeuvring in the harbour amounts to about one million tons per year, out of 33 million tons in Rotterdam in total.
The researchers measured the pollution on one day, 26 April – a fairly busy day for the port. Every six minutes, a precise survey was made of where each of a group of 283 vessels was situated in the port, and whether they were moored or moving. The ships’ specifications were looked up in the ship registers.
Based on this information and fuel quality, a good estimate could be made on the emissions of CO2, NOx, SO2 and fine particles. This measurement method seems obvious, but had never been applied before, says NML chairman Niko Wijnolst.
According to Mr Wijnolst, the study demonstrates that shipping is certainly not the biggest source of air pollution in Rotterdam. With CO2 emissions of 6 million tons annually, the EON power plant in Rotterdam alone is responsible for six times the total emissions by ships.
It is remarkable that moored vessels are responsible for two thirds of the total emissions by vessels, and when moving for just one third. Air pollution by moored ships could be further reduced if they could receive access to a power source on the quay.