Tag: NOx

There have been critical debates on potential solutions for reducing CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors. As part of the Paris Agreement, adopted by consensus on 12 December 2015, long-term goals have been set by several countries around the globe to limit the increase in global average temperature in an effort to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Mr. Antonis Trakakis, Chief Technology Officer at Forward Ships, talks about methane slips from LNG fueled engines. Mr. Trakakis notes that these emissions are not inherent to the natural gas. The problem lies at the applied heat cycle, making the amount of methane slip depend on the technology of each engine.

Already established measures have paved the way for a more environmental-friendly shipping. A key example is the IMO NOx Tier III limits. These limits apply to engines installed on or after 1 January 2016, that are operating in Emission Control Areas and establish a strict limit on their emissions.

The first guide of 'The Port Emissions Toolkit': Assessment of port emissions, incorporates the latest emission inventory methods and approaches. It recognizes that ships do not operate independently from shore-based entities in the maritime transportation system, and that port emission considerations must extend beyond the ships themselves.

Port of Los Angeles has seen an unprecedented 60% drop in NOx emissions compared to 2005, their lowest level to date, according to the Port’s 2017 Inventory of Air Emissions released last week. The inventory also shows the Port container volume reached an all-time high of 9.34 million TEUs through 2017.

As part of its continuous efforts to improve the air quality of domestic shipping transport, the Chinese Ministry of Transport published earlier this week new requirements for NOx shipping emissions. From 1 September 2018, the vessels' engines shall meet IMO's NOx Tier II emission limit.

The Environmental Ship Index rewards and incentivises shipowners with vessels that meet and exceed IMO emissions standards. ESI is now approaching the 7,000 vessel mark and plans an upgrade. Namely, it will upgrade its IT system, including the current database of registered vessels as well as the online portal itself.

The UK has taken an important step towards ratifying the 2012 amendments to the Gothenburg Protocol, an international agreement to reduce air pollution, as an Explanatory Memorandum signed by the Environment Secretary and the text of the amendment to the Gothenburg Protocol were presented to the parliament.

During his presentation at the last GREEN4SEA Conference, Mr. Antony Vourdachas, ABS, referred to the latest regulatory updates, including those related to air emissions as well. Presenting a regulation timetable from the top (2021), he attempted to clarify the regulatory landscape facing ship operators and owner.

Human activity increases the amount of nitrogen that reaches the oceans by 50%, on top of natural processes, said a report by the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection, assessing the magnitude and impacts of anthropogenic atmospheric nitrogen inputs to the ocean.