Just four of Europe’s 30 biggest ports have invested in at least half of the required shoreside electric infrastructure, which would drastically reduce air pollution and CO2 emissions when ships are at port

Europe’s ports are failing to tackle toxic air pollution, a new study looking at major European ports shows. The study carried out by DNV, on behalf of T&E, shows that to date just 20% of the EU’s required electric shore power infrastructure has been installed or commissioned in major ports, meaning most container ships, cruise ships and ferries continue to run on fossil fuels while docked. T&E calls for more ambitious port-side measures to drastically cut air pollution and unnecessary emissions from moored ships.

Over 6% of the EU maritime CO2 emissions come from ships running on fossil fuels at ports. Alongside CO2, ships also emit high amounts of sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), which have significant effects on human health. As part of the EU Green Deal, EU ports are required to provide shore-side electricity to ships by 2030. But installing shore-side plug in connections today would already improve air pollution in port cities. Of the 31 ports studied, only four have installed or contracted more than half of the required connections.

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