Port electrification could cut pollution

A new investigation into ferry emissions across Europe has highlighted the significant impact maritime pollution continues to have on major cities and points to port electrification as a key part of the solution. Research by clean transport advocacy group Transport & Environment found that ferries in several European capitals emit more sulphur pollution than cars. In cities including Dublin, Helsinki, Stockholm and Tallinn, ferries and passenger vessels operate close to city centres and often spend long periods at berth with auxiliary engines running, producing emissions directly where people live and work. "Ferries can spend hours at berth with engines running and those emissions are released right in the middle of our cities," says Philippos Ioulianou, managing director of EmissionLink. "If we want ships to switch off their engines in port, they need somewhere to plug in."