In Belgium, the Port of Antwerp has announced that it is participating in a clean shipping project that aims to cut down on air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from vessels operating in the North Sea region of Europe.
The Clean North Sea Shipping (CNSS) project incorporates 18 partners from six countries, and looks to raise awareness, share knowledge and convince influential stakeholders to take action – stakeholders including regional and European politicians, ports, shipping companies and cargo owners.
As part of the project, a new website gathering information on clean shipping technology has been launched by CNSS, covering both current and future legislation and technology, as well as economic and environmental benefits for the shipping industry and port authorities.
The new website serves as a guide for existing nearby and long-term technological solutions to reduce carbon dioxides, sulphur- and nitrogen oxides in order to promote the development of a sustainable maritime transport system, with the ultimate challenge seen as developing and implementing zero emission technologies.
Maritime shipping is estimated to represent around 3 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, with maritime emissions (CO2) expected to increase by a factor of 2-3 by 2050 if no action is taken.
