European port cities are facing an environmental crisis, with ferry pollution posing a significant threat to the health and well-being of residents. A new study has revealed that ferries in these cities emit more toxic air pollutants than all the cars combined, highlighting the need for urgent action to address this issue. The average age of European ferries is 26 years, making them ripe for modernization and electrification. With the climate crisis worsening by the day, it's time for a clean renewal of our maritime fleet.
Ferries play a vital role in connecting Europe's islands with the mainland, yet many are old and polluting, contributing to the growing problem of air pollution in port cities. In 2023 alone, European ferries emitted 13.4 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to 6.6 million cars over the same period. This staggering figure highlights the need for sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil-fuel-powered vessels.
The study also reveals that Barcelona is the European port responsible for the highest ferry CO2 emissions, followed closely by Dublin and Las Palmas. However, with new emission control areas set to come into place in 2027, these cities will see a significant reduction in air pollution from maritime fuels in the North-East Atlantic. This move marks an important step towards cleaner transportation and a healthier environment.
The impact of ferry pollution on human health cannot be overstated, with residents living near ports often exposed to toxic air pollutants that can have serious consequences for their well-being. In cities like Barcelona, ferries pollute 1.8 times more SOx than all the city's cars, making them a significant contributor to air pollution in these already congested areas.
A shift to electric ferries offers a cost-competitive solution that is already starting to take off in Europe. Unlike other parts of the shipping sector, ferries are easy to electrify due to their smaller size and fixed routes. This makes them an attractive option for environmentally conscious operators looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
T&E's findings suggest that at least 60% of Europe's ferry fleet could run on battery power by 2035, with many routes already cheaper to operate as electric today. Electrification and hybridisation could cut ferry CO2 emissions by up to 42%, improving air quality in port cities while reducing operating costs.
The main barrier to scaling up electric ferries is charging infrastructure, but this challenge is smaller than assumed. In fact, 57% of ports would only need small chargers below 5MW to support electric ferry operations, making it a more feasible option than previously thought.
As Felix Klann, Shipping Policy Officer at T&E, notes, 'Electrification makes economic sense. Electric ferries are already cheaper to run on many routes, and more will become cost-competitive in the coming years.' With the average age of ferries in Europe at 26 years, now is the time for a clean renewal.
The shift to electric ferries is not only good for the environment but also offers a promising solution for reducing operating costs. As the European ferry fleet continues to modernize and electrify, we can expect cleaner transportation and a healthier environment for residents living near ports.
The shift to electric ferries offers a cost-competitive solution that is already starting to take off in Europe.
