Environmental Impact of Low Emission Shipping: Measurements and Modelling Strategies

Closed

The project addresses measurement and modelling strategies to assess present and future compliance costs, health effects, and environmental effects of ship emissions. Shipping regulations and environmental investments have been discussed widely in the media and by politicians and lobby organisations, but only limited information is available on the technical efficiency and socioeconomic impacts of the different clean shipping solutions and of their capacity for complying with the regulations. Cross-sectorial and cross border discussions are needed by authorities, policy makers, NGOs and the private sector for informed decision making. Policy makers and authorities specifically lack information for the development of future environmental regulations. Similarly, the shipping sector needs to make knowledge based investment decisions. As authorities and representatives of the private sector are part of our project team, their expertise and experience will be utilized in defining the specific research targets. The involvement of both the authorities and business representatives will also ensure the direct take-up of the project results. The tools and recommendations will be discussed widely within the project workshops, in social media, in the media, conferences, and targeted discussions. These dissemination activities will enhance capacity building of stakeholder organizations also outside the project consortium. The project will provide tested and analysed tools and recommendations benefiting both the environment and the health of people in the Baltic Sea Region. At the same time, the outcomes of the project will support the maritime businesses and economic growth. The project addresses measurement and modelling strategies to assess present and future compliance costs, health effects, and environmental effects of ship emissions in view of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) emission regulations. Measures, fuels, and abatement techniques that are available and that can meet the emission reduction targets will be considered, and their performance and compliance will be assessed. The societal impact of emission reductions will be investigated both in the selected urban areas and the Baltic Sea regional scale utilizing the high technical and analytical skills of the multidisciplinary consortium. Clean shipping solutions provide business potential in the form of eco-innovation. The BSR is a forerunner in this respect, and acts as a living lab for clean shipping. The technological development in clean shipping solutions supports and enables spinoff companies and a technological lead position for European industry in the global markets, due to the developed solutions and technological advancements. In addition to promoting technological development and improving future regulation, the project will be active in integrating the results into the wider community and society. The project aims to enhance sustainable development in the form of cost effective means for clean shipping. Answering the globally increasing demand on air quality improvement will ultimately bring economic opportunities and wellbeing for BSR citizens.

Medium