Periodic Reporting for period 3 - EMERGE (Evaluation, control and Mitigation of the EnviRonmental impacts of shippinG Emissions)
Période du rapport: 2023-02-01 au 2024-05-31
The EMERGE project’s aims and objectives have been achieved through real-world test cases involving measurements and modelling on board vessels, along main shipping routes and in sensitive European marine regions. In particular, the EMERGE project has systematically analyzed the complex interactions between technological options, pollutant emissions and dispersion, and the consequences for marine environment. It assessed the effectiveness of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) in reducing key pollutants from ship emissions and provided insights into EGCS effluent characteristics, toxicity, and air emissions. The experimental part of the project focused on five European ecologically vulnerable regions, Eastern Mediterranean, Northern Adriatic Sea, the Lagoon of Aveiro, the Solent Strait and the Öresund Strait, and a mobile onboard case study. The EMERGE consortium also developed a harmonised and integrated modelling framework to assess the combined impacts of shipping emissions, both on (i) the marine ecosystems and (ii) the atmospheric environment. The assessment also included evaluations of the costs and benefits of control and mitigation options pertaining to water quality, air pollution exposure, health impacts, climate change, and the bioaccumulation of pollutants. Finally, EMERGE has delivered critical findings that help shape future policies and practices in the shipping industry. The project’s work offers clear guidance on how to reduce the environmental and health impacts of shipping, supporting more sustainable maritime operations.
The EMERGE project investigated the environmental pressures caused by shipping on both the atmosphere and marine ecosystems. This was done through a combination of advanced modelling and extensive measurements, covering Europe and specific ecologically sensitive regions. EMERGE integrated these aspects to develop a comprehensive understanding of the combined impacts and evaluate the cost-efficiency of various emission reduction measures.
The experimental phase focused on five key areas along with a mobile onboard case study. This approach allowed for a diverse assessment across different marine environments. Models were significantly refined, including the STEAM model, which now accounts for environmental factors affecting ship performance and emissions, and the ChemicalDrift model, which tracks how pollutants behave in water. These models, along with others like WRF-CMAQ for air quality and Delft3D for water circulation, provided a detailed view of shipping emissions' impacts on both air and water quality.
Ecotoxicological research within the project revealed varying levels of sensitivity among marine species to pollutants. Invertebrates, particularly during their early developmental stages, were found to be highly susceptible to scrubber effluents. Spatial modeling showed persistent effluent concentrations for 2-10 days and high risk for areas within a 10-30 km radius of shipping lanes. Especially, coastal areas and archipelagos were identified as locations where contaminants will end up in sediments. Future scenarios showed that by 2050, about one-third of the fleet in the studied areas is expected to use EGCS, leading to significant discharge volume increases, particularly in the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas. Additionally, economic evaluations showed widespread EGCS adoption among ships, but also stressed the importance of minimizing pollution from shipping activities.
To support decision-making, EMERGE developed a publicly available web-based tool that allows users to assess the environmental impacts of various shipping scenarios, making it a valuable resource for policymakers and stakeholders.
The project’s findings and tools were widely disseminated. Results were presented at conferences, stakeholder events, and industry meetings, and also featured in public outreach activities. Educational events and collaborations with local schools helped raise awareness among young people about the environmental challenges posed by shipping. The project produced an e-booklet summarizing its findings and policy recommendations, ensuring that its insights reach a broad audience, from scientists and industry experts to the general public.
EMERGE contributed significantly to European environmental reporting and provided inputs for international maritime regulations. The project’s extensive communication efforts, including seminars, videos, and workshops, have helped to foster a better understanding of the impacts of shipping on our environment and the steps needed to mitigate these effects.
The experimental phase focused on five key areas along with a mobile onboard case study. This approach allowed for a diverse assessment across different marine environments. Models were significantly refined, including the STEAM model, which now accounts for environmental factors affecting ship performance and emissions, and the ChemicalDrift model, which tracks how pollutants behave in water. These models, along with others like WRF-CMAQ for air quality and Delft3D for water circulation, provided a detailed view of shipping emissions' impacts on both air and water quality.
Ecotoxicological research within the project revealed varying levels of sensitivity among marine species to pollutants. Invertebrates, particularly during their early developmental stages, were found to be highly susceptible to scrubber effluents. Spatial modeling showed persistent effluent concentrations for 2-10 days and high risk for areas within a 10-30 km radius of shipping lanes. Especially, coastal areas and archipelagos were identified as locations where contaminants will end up in sediments. Future scenarios showed that by 2050, about one-third of the fleet in the studied areas is expected to use EGCS, leading to significant discharge volume increases, particularly in the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas. Additionally, economic evaluations showed widespread EGCS adoption among ships, but also stressed the importance of minimizing pollution from shipping activities.
To support decision-making, EMERGE developed a publicly available web-based tool that allows users to assess the environmental impacts of various shipping scenarios, making it a valuable resource for policymakers and stakeholders.
The project’s findings and tools were widely disseminated. Results were presented at conferences, stakeholder events, and industry meetings, and also featured in public outreach activities. Educational events and collaborations with local schools helped raise awareness among young people about the environmental challenges posed by shipping. The project produced an e-booklet summarizing its findings and policy recommendations, ensuring that its insights reach a broad audience, from scientists and industry experts to the general public.
EMERGE contributed significantly to European environmental reporting and provided inputs for international maritime regulations. The project’s extensive communication efforts, including seminars, videos, and workshops, have helped to foster a better understanding of the impacts of shipping on our environment and the steps needed to mitigate these effects.
The EMERGE project has made significant strides in understanding and mitigating the environmental impacts of shipping. Unlike previous studies, which looked at marine and atmospheric impacts separately, EMERGE used an integrated approach, considering both aspects together. This holistic analysis has been applied across Europe and in specific vulnerable regions
The project has developed advanced models that go beyond existing standards. For instance, the STEAM model, used for assessing ship emissions, was enhanced to include the effects of ambient environmental conditions, enabling linking ambient conditions with ship performance prediction, fuel consumption and emissions. Additionally, chemical transport modeling in oceans can now be studied with the new ChemicalDrift model allowing for detailed water quality analysis from local to global scales.
One of the most important key outcomes of the project was the production of detailed policy recommendations for European and global decision-makers and ship owners. These guidelines will suggest the most effective and cost-efficient strategies for reducing marine pollution and promoting the use of sustainable fuels in shipping. EMERGE results will also positively impact stakeholders and future regulatory measures for sustainable marine areas. Stakeholder views have been considered throughout the project, with extensive communication with organizations and agencies in the sustainable shipping and marine environment areas.
As a EUSBSR Flagship project, EMERGE has fostered frequent communication with national environmental and maritime authorities. This has already led to scrubber discharge bans in Denmark and will lead to similar ban in Finland and potentially also in Sweden.
The developments made in STEAM have improved one of the Copernicus services (CAMS2-61) and the quality of annual HELCOM reporting. Additionally, EMERGE have provided support for EMSA in both EMTER1 and EMTER2 reports and contributed to two IMO’s submissions.
The project has supported the work of OSPAR MIME and HASEC groups and current discussions include regional bans also in the North Sea area. In addition, EMERGE partners have also supported national IMO delegations in MEPC, PPR and ISWG GHG meetings by providing guidance on various environmental issues of shipping. Scientific background studies needed for scrubber regulations, as requested in the IMO guidelines, have been produced and EMERGE has offered its help to DG ENV in drafting relevant policy documents
Finally, EMERGE has identified areas where further research is needed. This has led to new projects and partnerships, such as the cooperation between the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), which will build on EMERGE's findings to continue advancing our understanding of maritime environmental impacts.
The project has developed advanced models that go beyond existing standards. For instance, the STEAM model, used for assessing ship emissions, was enhanced to include the effects of ambient environmental conditions, enabling linking ambient conditions with ship performance prediction, fuel consumption and emissions. Additionally, chemical transport modeling in oceans can now be studied with the new ChemicalDrift model allowing for detailed water quality analysis from local to global scales.
One of the most important key outcomes of the project was the production of detailed policy recommendations for European and global decision-makers and ship owners. These guidelines will suggest the most effective and cost-efficient strategies for reducing marine pollution and promoting the use of sustainable fuels in shipping. EMERGE results will also positively impact stakeholders and future regulatory measures for sustainable marine areas. Stakeholder views have been considered throughout the project, with extensive communication with organizations and agencies in the sustainable shipping and marine environment areas.
As a EUSBSR Flagship project, EMERGE has fostered frequent communication with national environmental and maritime authorities. This has already led to scrubber discharge bans in Denmark and will lead to similar ban in Finland and potentially also in Sweden.
The developments made in STEAM have improved one of the Copernicus services (CAMS2-61) and the quality of annual HELCOM reporting. Additionally, EMERGE have provided support for EMSA in both EMTER1 and EMTER2 reports and contributed to two IMO’s submissions.
The project has supported the work of OSPAR MIME and HASEC groups and current discussions include regional bans also in the North Sea area. In addition, EMERGE partners have also supported national IMO delegations in MEPC, PPR and ISWG GHG meetings by providing guidance on various environmental issues of shipping. Scientific background studies needed for scrubber regulations, as requested in the IMO guidelines, have been produced and EMERGE has offered its help to DG ENV in drafting relevant policy documents
Finally, EMERGE has identified areas where further research is needed. This has led to new projects and partnerships, such as the cooperation between the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), which will build on EMERGE's findings to continue advancing our understanding of maritime environmental impacts.