Washington D.C. – A new report released today shows that ocean-going vessels now produce more of the major air pollutant, sulfur dioxide (SOx), than all the world’s cars, trucks and buses combined. The report, "Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ocean-going Ships: Impacts, Mitigation Options and Opportunities for Managing Growth", by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), details the dramatic growth in SOx and other air pollutants from ships relative to other sources and identifies solutions based on readily available technologies.

Executive Summary | Full report

The ICCT – made up of transportation and air quality officials and experts from around the world – is calling on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to strengthen emission standards for international ships to address the public health consequences and contribution to global warming of this growing source of air pollution worldwide. "International ships are one of the world’s largest, virtually uncontrolled source of air pollution," said Dr. Alan C. Lloyd, President of the ICCT and former Secretary of California Environmental Protection Agency. "Air pollution from diesel trucks and buses in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. has declined steadily for over a decade. At the same time, air pollution from international ships is rising virtually unchecked."

The study shows that the sulfur content of marine fuel is far greater than diesel fuel used for trucks, buses and cars: globally, ships use fuel with an average sulfur content of 27,000 parts per million (ppm) compared to just 10 to 15 ppm for road fuels in Europe, Japan and the United States. Worldwide ocean-going vessels produce, according to more recent estimates, at least 17 percent of emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), and can contribute more than 25 percent of NOx in some port cities and coastal nations The study also finds that international ships release more carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming, than many of the industrialized nations listed in the Kyoto Protocol.

The report indicates the IMO has been slow to take advantage of the best available technologies and fuels. Instead, its only action on ship emissions—adopted in 1997 and implemented in 2005—codified improvements already adopted by most of the industry. The IMO is currently debating whether to adopt a new round of emission standards for international ships leading up to meetings in April and June.

"We’ve found that the public health and environmental consequences are clear and compelling and the technology is available now to dramatically lower air pollution from international shipping," said Dr. Axel Friedrich, co-author of the report and Head of Department for Environment, Transport and Noise within the German Federal Environment Agency. "It’s time for the IMO to make overdue changes that will save lives, help millions of people breath easier, and reduce global warming."

ICCT’s recommendations call for widespread adoption of proven best available technologies in the short term and technology forcing standards for the long term. The ICCT recommends reducing the sulfur content of marine diesel fuels by close to 90 percent from current IMO standards in the mid-term (2012 to 2017) and bringing sulfur content down further, in line with on-road fuels, after 2020. In the mid-term, the study also recommends 95 percent reductions in NOx emissions, which is achievable with technologies already used by diesel trucks and power plants (see additional details below). The fuels and many of the technologies needed to meet these standards are also in use today in some ocean going vessels, where regulations or incentives are already in place.

"The growing patchwork of local rules and regulations is not ideal for environmental protection or the shipping industry." said Kong Ha, Chairperson of Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities. Mr. Ha is located in Hong Kong, one of the world’s largest port cities. "Cleaning-up air pollution from ocean shipping at the international level is a win-win for commerce and our environment."

According to the report, the lack of international standards and oversight has prompted local action from port cities and states where people bear the brunt of ship pollution, such as California and ports in Sweden, Los Angeles and Long Beach, to reduce the impact of ships on air quality. Without further action by the IMO, further local actions will result in an expanding patchwork of regulations by individual nations, states, and ports, creating greater barriers to the free flow of goods.

"Air pollution reductions from international ships are an exceptional bargain," said Drew Kodjak, President of the ICCT and co-author of the report. "In some cities, reducing pollution from ocean shipping can cost hundreds of times less than cutting the same harmful pollutants from land-based sources." The report illustrates how the cost of reducing one ton of NOx emissions from ocean going ships can be as low as $11, compared to about $1,900 for cars and light trucks in the U.S. and about $6,500 for cars and light trucks in Europe.

ICCT’s three main recommendations for IMO action for the mid-term (2012 and 2017) are:

• Clean Up Marine Diesel Fuel. The global average sulfur level of marine diesel fuel is 27,000 parts per million (ppm) compared to 10 to 15 ppm for on-road diesel fuels in Europe, Japan and the United States. The study recommends approximately a 90 percent reduction in regulated sulfur levels from 45,000 ppm, the current IMO standard for marine fuels, to 5,000 ppm, with harmonization with on-road diesel sulfur levels after 2020. Lower fuel sulfur levels will both (1) reduce emissions of fine particles and SOx, and (2) enable emissions control equipment that would otherwise be impaired by high sulfur levels.
• Set Emission Standards for New Vessels Based on Readily-Available Technologies. The report finds that ocean-going vessels contribute approximately 17 percent of global NOx emissions, and more than 25 percent of NOx in several port cities and coastal nations. The ICCT recommends that the IMO require approximately a 95 percent reduction in NOx emissions from new ocean-going vessels, which is possible using emission control technologies that are widely used today on diesel trucks and power plants. The ICCT also recommends the adoption of a PM standard, which currently does not exist. Low sulfur fuels are a critical first step to enable advanced technologies needed to meet PM and NOx standards.
• Set Standards to Address Climate Change Impacts. The report finds that carbon dioxide emissions from the international shipping sector exceed annual greenhouse gas emissions from most of the nations listed in the Kyoto Protocol (Annex I nations). The ICCT recommends that the IMO develop a baseline for the climate impacts of the world’s vessel fleet and set standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new and existing ships. Greenhouse gas emissions from ships are currently not regulated.

The executive summary and full report can be downloaded at http://www.theicct.org/