Review article
AIR POLLUTION FROM MARITIME TRANSPORT – THE PROBLEM OF TODAY, THE CHALLENGE OF TOMMOROW
Marina Zanne
; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport
elen Twrdy
; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport
Abstract
There are almost 100,000 ships of various purposes, sizes, ages, energy efficiency etc. travelling around the world every single day. Although the maritime transport is considered to be environmentally friendly in comparison to other modes of transportation, all these ships produce some pollution, as in the majority of cases, they burn low grade bunker fuel that contains up to several thousands times the amount of sulphur compared to diesel fuel used in automobiles.
International legislation regarding the reduction of SO2 and NOX emissions from shipping is prepared and its enforcement has started. Nevertheless, IMO is severely criticized for setting too high limits for sulphur content in bunker. In addition, the ships’ emissions in international waters still remain one of the least regulated areas.
MARPOL Annex VI and its revision have set the new limits for fuel sulphur content and NOX. However the shipping industry is still not taking part of the emissions trading schemes, although the share of its emissions is growing rapidly (due to the growth in the seaborne trade as well as because of reductions of emissions in land transportation). There are several technological, operational and economic solutions that, if or when applied, should reduce the air pollution from ships.
Keywords
maritime transport; environment; air pollution; external costs; operational costs; fuel costs; fuel quality
Hrčak ID:
69638
URI
Publication date:
27.6.2011.
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