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Tackling air pollution at sea
Approximately 93,000 ships sail the oceans worldwide and that number is expected to increase along with the continued demand for international trade. The vessels carry the vast majority of all goods that are being transported across the world and they are an indispensable part of the infrastructure related to passenger transport. At the same time, cruise ships offer a relaxed way to spend a vacation while exploring multiple destinations, which has a broader appeal than ever before.
5 March 2021
Increased shipping causes a threat to human health and the environment
However, the significant amount of ships is a challenge in relation to air pollution. The large exhaust on many vessels emit a number of harmful substances such as sulphur (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), soot, ammonia, particles, volatile organic compounds (VOC) and CO2. Substances that have
an adverse effect on people, the climate and the environment.
Pushing for a cleaner maritime industry
Luckily, the air pollution from the maritime industry can be curbed by using green technologies designed specifically for ships and the harsh conditions in which they operate. With the technologies available today, it is possible to address all the above-mentioned polluting components and thereby deliver
massive benefits for public health and the environment. The adoption of IMO’s (UN’s International Maritime Organisation) global sulphur-reducing requirements represent a significant push towards a cleaner maritime industry. The requirements have boosted the demand for air cleaning and promoted the use of alternative fuels for shipping.
Danish solutions for the maritime industry are in high demand
From a Danish perspective, this development has not only been positive for reasons related to the environment and health. Denmark is a world leader within flue gas cleaning technologies, and Danish scrubber producers have seen an unprecedented surge in the demand of their products over the past fifteen years. In 2019, just three Danish scrubber producers covered approximately 15 per cent of the global market. In addition, minor Danish start-up companies are exploring alternative solutions in relation to sulphur removal.
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