How ship pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), impact air quality and public health for populations near ports.
Ports are bustling hubs of global commerce, where colossal ships, towering cranes, and fleets of trucks and trains keep trade moving in a steady rhythm. But for the millions of residents living near major ports around the world, this activity comes with a significant downside: a constant flow of pollution.
When ships are docked at berth, their auxiliary engines continue burning fossil fuels to power essential operations, emitting several toxic pollutants including particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxide (SOx), and carbon dioxide (CO2). These emissions are not only harmful to the environment, they also pose health risks.
Nearly 40 million Americans are affected by port emissions. Since 1970, international trade at ports on the U.S. West Coast alone has surged nearly 29-fold, increasing resident’s exposure to harmful emissions. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these emissions disproportionately impact nearby communities often consisting of low income and minority populations. In 2020, the high concentrations of emissions in ports and along shipping routes were attributable to more than 250,000 premature deaths.
While much of today’s focus is on reducing carbon emissions—an important effort due to its effect on climate change—the immediate dangers of NOx and PM are often overlooked. Regulators, policymakers, and ship operators must address the impact of all emissions to limit impacts on air quality and public health.
What are port emissions?
Ships docked at ports continue burning fossil fuels to power essential operations such as lighting, ventilation, refrigeration, and communication systems. These engines emit several pollutants, including:
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx), gasses that form smog and acid rain, are proven to cause lung inflammation upon inhalation and may lead to heart and lung failures with prolonged exposure.
- Sulfur oxides (SOx) are gaseous air pollutants released when coal, petroleum, or diesel are burned, leading to respiratory issues and acid rain, which damages ecosystems and infrastructure.
- Particulate matter (PM) consists of microscopic solids or liquid droplets fine enough to be inhaled and penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, with the ability to cause serious health problems.
- Greenhouse gasses (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide, contribute to widespread climate change by trapping the sun’s heat.
The burning of fuel from ships at birth in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach sends tiny particles and gasses into the air, producing roughly 100 tons of smog daily, equivalent to emissions from 6 million vehicles. These emissions and pollutants impact the air, water, and land, and pose risks to the health of people in nearby communities.
Health impacts of port emissions: A breakdown
It’s well-documented that long-term exposure to air pollution increases the chance of premature death from cancer, lung, and heart conditions. And studies have shown pollution from maritime ports has a disproportionate impact on the physical and mental health of communities of color or low-income communities.
Specific health concerns linked to port emissions include:
Respiratory issues
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can penetrate deeply into the lungs, causing chronic respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis. Children and seniors are particularly vulnerable, facing increased emergency room visits and reduced lung function over time. As the American Lung Association writes, “There is no safe threshold to breathe in fine particles.”
Cardiovascular disease
The EPA emphasizes that long-term exposure to air pollution and compounds such as NOx and SOx increases blood pressure, leading to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes among those who live near ports.
Cancer risks
Some of the most harmful pollutants, such as diesel exhaust from port machinery and heavy-duty trucks, contain carcinogenic compounds. A 2013 review by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determined that outdoor air pollution, specifically particulate matter, can cause cancer. More recent studies have confirmed that long-term exposure to emissions has been linked to higher lung cancer rates.
The role of regulations and policy on emissions reduction
Local and national regulators around the world are recognizing the severe impact of NOx and PM emissions on public health and the environment and have started implementing targeted measures to curb these pollutants.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has some of the world’s strictest regulations on at-berth emissions, requiring many ships to reduce NOx and PM emissions. Once CARB’s requirements are fully implemented in 2027, it is expected to achieve a 90% reduction in pollution and a 55% reduction in potential cancer risk for communities near the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Richmond.
The European Union Directives on Air Pollution take a similarly robust approach to managing harmful emissions, including NOx and PM. The EU's National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive (NECD) sets binding national emission reduction targets for member states to limit five critical pollutants, such as NOx, SOx, and fine particulate matter, in part by adopting stricter measures at ports and in surrounding areas.
As of 2022, 16 nations met their respective national emission reduction commitments by integrating shore power and emissions capture technology to align with EU regulations.
These examples demonstrate how reducing port emissions requires implementing broader standards for emissions reduction so regulators can support industry efforts to deploy cleaner technologies such as shore power and zero-emission dock equipment.
The path to cleaner ports and healthier communities
Building on CARB’s success, policymakers have an opportunity to establish regulations that account for all harmful emissions, creating healthier air quality for communities. However, addressing the health crisis faced by port communities requires a coordinated approach that pairs strong regulation with company and port investment in innovative green technology solutions.
The good news is that solutions are now available to reduce emissions and follow regulations like CARB’s, including shore power and emissions capture technology.
Shore power
Also known as cold ironing, show power allows docked vessels to connect to the local electrical grid and shut down their auxiliary engines. This method has proven effective in reducing emissions, although it requires retrofitting between $500,000 and $1.5 million per vessel plus downtime. In addition to the cost challenges, shore power is not available to every vessel class or configuration.
Emission capture and control
STAX’s emissions capture and control technology is a flexible, cost-efficient solution that can attach to any vessel’s exhaust system and filter out pollution emissions. This method does not require any expensive retrofits; it simply covers any existing configuration to remove up to 99% of PM, NOx, and SOx. Vessel and terminal operators can book STAX by the hour when their ship is at berth.
Combining regulatory action with strategic investments in green technologies will be key to protecting the health of communities living near ports. It will take coordinated efforts among port authorities, vessel and terminal operators, and technology providers to create sustainable and scalable practices that follow current and future regulations and prioritize community health and environmental well-being.
Partner with STAX to meet regulations and sustainability goals
STAX has treated at-berth vessels for more than 10,000 cumulative hours and controlled 75 tons of pollutants—and counting. We invite you to schedule a call with our team to learn more about how we can help treat your vessel’s emissions while at berth so you can meet regulations and do your part to improve the health of our port communities.