Ship engines and air pollutants: emission during fuel change-over and dispersion over coastal areas

The emission of air pollutants from ships of large size is a key factor in air quality state in the surrounding areas to ports. The work proposes a methodology for assessing the environmental impact of maritime traffic on air quality of port areas, evaluating the production and the dispersion of air pollutants produced by marine engines of large size during the approach phase to the port. According to current regulations, different scenarios have been analyzed, taking into account the possibility of fuel changeover, from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to marine gas oil (MGO), approaching the port. Emissions during the switch from HFO to MGO have been characterized. The analysis takes into account the most frequent routes of ships moving towards and away from the port. Different scenarios of pollutant emission from ships arriving and departing have been considered, evaluating in particular the effect on the coastal zone adjacent to the port. The results are represented graphically and provide valuable insights into the impact of marine traffic on air quality. Such information may be seen as useful tools for the improvement of maritime legislation on emissions.