In a significant study published in the journal ‘Atmosphere’ (translated from Dutch), researchers have shed light on the persistent issue of black carbon (BC) emissions from ships, revealing that current regulations may not be as effective as hoped. The study, led by Ward Van Roy from the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels, presents findings based on 886 real-world measurements of BC emissions from ships operating in the southern North Sea.
Black carbon, a potent climate-warming pollutant, is largely unregulated in the maritime industry, unlike other pollutants such as sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are controlled under MARPOL Annex VI. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of sulfur emission control areas (SECAs) and exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCSs) on BC emissions.
Van Roy and his team found that while SECA-compliant fuels do reduce BC emissions, the average emission factors within SECAs remain comparable to those reported for non-compliant fuels in earlier studies. This suggests that the current regulations are only partially effective. Moreover, the study revealed a concerning trend: ships using EGCSs as a SECA-compliant measure were found to emit significantly higher levels of BC.
“The use of EGCSs as an emissions mitigation strategy raises concerns about their environmental sustainability,” Van Roy stated. This finding could have significant implications for the maritime industry, as EGCSs are a popular choice for ship operators looking to comply with SECA regulations without switching to more expensive low-sulfur fuels.
The study highlights the need for more stringent regulations and better monitoring of BC emissions from ships. For the maritime industry, this presents both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, stricter regulations could mean higher compliance costs. On the other, it could drive innovation in cleaner technologies and fuels, creating new commercial opportunities.
The findings also underscore the importance of remote ship emission monitoring, a technology that could help enforce future regulations and encourage ship operators to adopt cleaner practices. As Van Roy put it, “Real-world measurements are crucial for understanding the true impact of ship emissions and for developing effective mitigation strategies.”
For maritime professionals, the study serves as a wake-up call and a catalyst for action. It’s clear that the industry needs to step up its efforts to reduce BC emissions, not just for compliance, but also for the sake of the environment and public health. The study published in ‘Atmosphere’ provides a solid foundation for future research and policy discussions in this area.