Ferries calling at Dublin produced more sulphur pollution than at any other port in Europe last year, according to a new report.
NGO, Transport & Environment (T&E) looked at ferry pollution at 50 major ports across Europe. It found that boats in Dublin, Barcelona and Naples are responsible for more sulphur (SOx) air pollution than cars.
Ferries in Dublin produced 92,081kg of sulphur emissions last year, more than any of the other ports in the study, according to T&E data.
Las Palmas in Spain, and Holyhead in Wales were in second and third place.
T&E also ranked the Dublin – Holyhead route as the fourth largest polluter of carbon dioxide behind two Finnish routes and Dover – Calais route between the UK and France.
“Ferries are a major source of air pollution, emitting sulphur dioxide (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and black carbon (BC)”, says T&E.
But there could be better news ahead for Dublin.
From next year, the North-East Atlantic Emission Control Area (ECA) is due to come into force.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the ECA will “reduce emissions of sulphur oxide (SOx), particulate matter (PM), and nitrogen oxide (NOx) from ships in the territorial seas and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of Greenland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom and the Faroes.”
T&E says it expects ports – including Dublin – within the newly designated zone to dramatically cut pollution levels.
The North Atlantic EMA was approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) last year.
Environmental consultancy firm, Ricardo, has suggested that ferries on the Dublin – Holyhead route could potentially switch from oil to battery electric power.
Alternatively the engines on the existing ferries could be retrofitted to burn methanol instead.
T&E predicts that economies of scale and improving technology will make electric ferries more viable in the future.
“A shift to electric ferries offers a cost-competitive solution that is already starting to take off in Europe.
Unlike other parts of the shipping sector, ferries are easy to electrify, given their smaller size and fixed routes. T&E finds that at least 60 percent of Europe’s ferry fleet could run on battery power by 2035.”
Responding to T&E’s report, Dublin Port said in a statement:
“Dublin Port Company recognises the importance of managing port-related emissions. All vessels calling at Dublin Port are required to comply with applicable maritime and EU regulations governing fuel use while in port, with decisions on vessel types and fuels determined by operators.
The Port is engaging with operators and stakeholders, working on plans to provide shoreside power facilities over the coming years, as per the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation.”
Dublin Port also pointed at the efforts it has taken to reduce emissions.
“Air quality monitoring data for Dublin Port is publicly available through the Environmental Protection Agency, alongside additional monitoring carried out by the Port.
The evolving legislative environment (such as Emissions Trading Scheme, Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, FuelEU Maritime, Emission Control Areas) will have an impact on emissions ships operating in the EU, improving air quality in port cities including Dublin.”