Chapter 3 - Environmental protection
Waterborne transport’s environmental impact involves more than just carbon emissions. The sector also produces high levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SO2), along with other air pollution such as particulate matter. Because many ports are located either in or nearby major urban areas, this pollution can have a direct impact on the health and well-being of citizens. It can also damage trees and plants, inhibit plant growth and damage sensitive ecosystems and waterways. Helping address shipping’s pollution problem is CLINSH. The project is using a combination of technology, alternative fuels and onshore power supply to make Europe’s existing inland water fleet cleaner – and greener. According to the project, its solutions can reduce a vessel’s NOx and particulate matter emissions by 25 % and 69 % respectively.
Tackling impacts above and below the surface
Waterborne transport’s environmental impact isn’t only felt above the water, we also need to consider what happens below the surface. The European Environment Agency estimates that the sector is responsible for half of all non-indigenous species introduced into European seas since 1949. Furthermore, every year thousands of cetaceans, including whales and dolphins, die from lethal collisions with cargo ships and other vessels. Working to reduce this risk is SEADETECT. The project has developed an on-board system that allows a ship to detect large cetaceans within a 1 km radius – giving the vessel plenty of time to change course and avoid a collision. The system is expected to save at least 100 whales and dolphins a year.
An emission-free high-speed ferry
While there are many initiatives to reduce the carbon emissions of waterborne transport, the TECOW project intends to take them down to zero. It has launched the world’s first emissionfree high-speed ferry in Stockholm. The all-electric vessel, which can be powered by either batteries or hydrogen fuel cells, uses just half the energy of a conventional ferry, without sacrificing performance. By helping the sector shrink carbon emissions, particulate pollution and impact on sea life, projects such as these can further enhance the sector’s environmental credentials.