A study by Canada's British Columbia Chamber of Shipping has concluded that ship traffic is the second-largest source of greenhouse gases and other emissions. It was reported last week. But the growth in emissions was less than expected from when the last study was conducted in 2000.
We really haven't seen the growth in the number of ships even though there has been the growth in cargo, Chamber president Rick Bryant was reported saying. Bryant said that the newer vessels visiting British Columbia ports such as Vancouver had cleaner engines and greater capacities. The study found that ships were emitting 1.3 million tonnes of CO2, a 20% increase from 2000, as well as significant volumes of other pollutants.
While shipping was the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, behind the Fort Nelson gas-fired electricity generating plant, the study estimated that shipping was responsible for only 0.2% of Canada's overall total. Shipping is one of the most efficient modes of transportation, Bryant said in the report. Totals in the report for other emissions were 26,500 tonnes of nitrogen oxides (NOx), and 18,400 tonnes of sulphur oxides (SOx) over a one-year period.
The study also found that the average sulphur content of IFO-grade fuels used by ships in the area ranged between 2.3% and 2.5%.
Bryant was reported saying that the Chamber supported reduced ship emissions and was urging the International Marine Organization (IMO) to improve its requirements, and reduce the sulphur in the fuel and reduce the amount of NOx emissions.
Locally, in Vancouver, the Vancouver Port Authority this year implemented a scheme to encourage ships to use cleaner fuels in the port.
