Container ship emission estimation model for the concept of green port in Turkey

Abstract

Studies on the global climate change and the measures to be taken to alleviate the problem have long emphasized the critical importance of this issue for humanity’s future. The impact of exhaust gas emissions from maritime transport on air quality and global climate change is also examined by scientists. In particular, the restrictions imposed by the law-makers like International Maritime Organization (IMO) and European Union (EU) on maritime shipping to improve air quality requires flag states, ships, ship owners and seamen to reduce ship emissions. In this study, Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), Particulate Matter (PM) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) emissions of ships coming to Turkey’s four important ports (Ambarlı, Izmir, Mersin and Kocaeli ports) are theoretically calculated with two bottom-up methods. Port durations and ship technical data are the real data obtained by following the ships coming to all ports for 1-year period. Based on the emission calculations for all ports, container vessels, which are the most common vessel types, were selected and emission estimation models were obtained for cruising, maneuvering and port operating modes depending on the type and gross tonnage (GRT) of these vessels. The emission estimation models obtained from the study can be used to estimate approximate exhaust gas emissions from container ships with known GRT values and to model ship-based air pollution. When the average error margins are analyzed, it was estimated with 2.03% error in cruising mode, 1.63% in maneuvering mode and 9.44% in port mode for container ships according to the GRT in the ports of Turkey.