The Port of London Authority (PLA) is working with the Mayor of London and Transport for London on new research to help it develop an Air Quality Strategy for the tidal Thames.
The project involves three separate research streams covering shore side power allowing ships to turn off their engines and plug into an electrical grid while at berth, emissions from vessels during trips and an inventory of all emissions from vessels on the river.
PLA chief executive, Robin Mortimer, noted that the project is expected to bring more trade, more passenger journeys and more sport and recreation along Thames:
“Individually the techniques are tried and tested, but we are bringing them together to create a detailed picture of vessel emissions on the Thames. This will give us the data we need to develop the first air quality strategy for the river.”
Most of the research will be completed by the end of September.
A document just published by the PLA sets out the main areas of the air quality research programme:
- Shore side power feasibility assessment: will consider the feasibility and environmental benefits of installation of shore power at specific sites
- Comparable journey emissions monitoring: gathering data on typical regular river borne journeys of passengers and cargo, to compare to the number of vehicles used, and routes needed, to make the same journey through London’s road network
- Emissions inventory: creating the first port wide air inventory for the Thames
Deputy Mayor for Environment, Shirley Rodrigues, said: “The river is an important part of London’s economy and at City Hall we are keen to see it used more for freight, passenger and waste movements while reducing air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions from all river vessels.”
Explore more in the following report:
