Page 40 - European Energy Innovation - autumn 2017 publication
P. 40
40 Autumn 2017 European Energy Innovation
ZERO EMISSIONS TERMINAL
Wind of Change in
Ports with Problems
Zero Emissions Terminals
shall be no exception
By Malte Siegert (pictured), Head of Environmental Policy, NABU Hamburg
Air pollution in and from exist, the limits are not strict enough (IMO). But more ambitious standards
ports is a serious problem and, moreover, some are breached for the waterside are waved away
not only in the European without consequences for the emitters. with the argument of competition
Union. Still the impacts Moreover, for some pollutants, such as and level playing field. If ports
on air quality seem underestimated black carbon (BC), there are no limits don’t dare themselves to demand
and little investigated. This is more of at all. certain technical requirements such
a problem where ports are located as abatement systems on board or
either close to or even in city centers In contrast to the comparatively weak mandatory use of onshore power
such as in Antwerp, Amsterdam and regulation for ports and especially supply (OPS), they could commit
Hamburg. Annually, air pollution ships (inland as well as ocean going themselves either in certain regionsfor
causes over 420,000 premature vessels) road related regulation is example the highly frequented “North
deaths throughout the European quite strict in the European Union. Range” with all European major ports-
Union. Of these, 50,000 premature The Euro-Norms oblige car and truck or in the Mediterranean. Why no
deaths are attributed to shipping building companies to improve their commitment from all European ports?
in European waters. Besides the efficiency performance and installing A common approach? Not even the
negative consequences for human particulate filters and effective catalytic European Commission would have to
health, air pollution from nitrogen systems. In addition, diesel fuel be asked, if all ports agreed on some
oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), used by the consumer has to be one basics.
particulate matter (PM) and especially hundred times cleaner than that what
its component black carbon (BC) is demanded from ship owners or Nevertheless, there is light on the
contributes to climate warming, charterers, if they sail on MDO in the horizon as the picture onshore is a
diminishes biodiversity, harms European Sulphur Emission Control little different. Although expectations
nature and damages buildings and Area (SECA). Why? Most obviously, of local port authorities towards
monuments. impacts from road related traffic have tenants are often low, their influence
been acknowledged as extremely limited and national or EU regulation
Ports are hubs of air pollution. Various harmful to health, nature and climate still insufficient, terminals themselves
emitters operate in numerous kinds already decades ago. Ships mainly try to mitigate their burden on
of transport and port machinery. sail close to coastlines or enter major local communities. The interest in
Diesel engines are equipped with little waterways like Loire, Scheldt, Humber, a good port-city-relation with little
exhaust treatment systems or even Weser or Elbe. These waters flow dispute is high, the awareness and
running on a comparatively dirty fuel. parallel to highways or streets. The sensitivity for the impacts of 24/7-port
Some of these forms of transports big gap between both standards for business in the public rising as urban
and machinery, such as ocean-going streets and European waters does not development tends to spread towards
vessels, do not fall under the strict(er) make sense at all. the waterside.
land-based regulations, but enjoy
pollution privileges as allowed by Politics and authorities are very well That is why many terminals worldwide
international maritime laws. But even aware of this. Ports could agree on have started to electrify wherever
where - European or national - legal stricter rules without permission of the possible. Good for the working
limits for air emissions International Maritime Organization conditions, the local air quality as
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
