![Figure 2: Global shipping NOx emissions [5]](https://www.iaccsea.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Visualising-NOx-shipping-emissions-from-space-Figure-2.png)
Visualising NOx shipping emissions from space
Notably, shipping air pollution, including nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, contributes to approximately 400,000 premature deaths annually, incurring societal costs exceeding €58 billion and exacerbating environmental degradation [1,2].
NOx emissions from shipping have been analysed through satellite imagery provided by the European Space Agency, the European Environment Agency (figure 1) and the Shipping Emission Inventory Model (figure 2).
![Figure 1: a) Nitrogen dioxide detection from the Copernicus Sentinel 5-P satellite [3],b) NOx emissions from shipping in European Seas [4]](https://www.iaccsea.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Visualising-NOx-shipping-emissions-from-space-Figure-1.png)
Figure 1: a) Nitrogen dioxide detection from the Copernicus Sentinel 5-P satellite [3],b) NOx emissions from shipping in European Seas [4]
Figure 2: Global shipping NOx emissions [5]
The figures note that NOx emissions are especially high during various stages including during the operation of the engine and in transit. Emissions are also high when shipping vessels are close to shore and docked at ports. This is exemplified by recent research suggesting that the number of European cruise ships, the time they spent around ports and the fuel they consumed increased by nearly a quarter since 2019. This has led to an increase of NOx emissions of up to 18% during this period [6].
DeNOx technologies such as Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology stand out as an advanced, cost-effective, and fuel-efficient solution for reducing NOx emissions from shipping. SCR has the capabilities of reducing the concentration of polluting nitrogen oxide in the exhaust gases of diesel engines, to below the emission limits set by IMO Tier III regulations (3.4 g/kWh and lower). Additionally, SCR is a proven technology suitable for retrofitting and cleaning exhaust gas on existing vessels, creating an immediate positive effect on air quality.
IACCSEA is committed to supporting the shipping industry in managing local pollutants such as NOx. We support upcoming developments in controlling ship emissions via ECAs including the Mediterranean Sea, and new proposals ahead of the MEPC 81 meeting including in the Canadian Arctic, Norwegian Sea, and North-East Atlantic Ocean. We are ready to collaborate, provide resources, and facilitate initiatives to achieve cleaner shipping practices.
If you are interested in learning more about how IACCSEA works with the shipping industry to control ship emissions to the air, please to get in touch with us at secretary@iaccsea.com.
[1] Sofiev et. Al (2018). Cleaner fuels for ships provide public health benefits with climate tradeoffs. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-017-02774-9
[2] NOx-fondet (2024). What is NOx?. Available at: https://www.noxfondet.no/en/articles/what-is-nox/
[3] Copernicus (2020). Ship Emissions from Space. Available at: https://www.copernicus.eu/en/media/image-day-gallery/ship-emissions-space
[4] European Environment Agency (2023). NOx emissions from shipping in European Seas. Available at: https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/nox-emissions-from-ships-in
[5] MEICModel (2021). SEIM global shipping emissions inventory. Available at: http://meicmodel.org.cn/?p=1577&lang=en
[6] Transport & Environment (2023). Europe’s luxury cruise ships emit as much toxic sulphur as 1bn cars – study. Available at: https://www.transportenvironment.org/discover/europes-luxury-cruise-ships-emit-as-much-toxic-sulphur-as-1bn-cars-study/