Mitigating maritime transport emissions Europe has set ambitious goals to cut 60 % of carbon emissions in transport by 2050. An EU-funded project sought to make short sea shipping (SSS) more environmentally competitive as it is an important and high-efficiency means of transport. Climate Change and Environment © Carla Piñeiro Rodríguez The European Commission has placed limitations regarding the sulphur content for marine fuels used by inland waterway vessels and ships at berth in EU ports. As such, with effect from January 2010, Member States should ensure that marine gas oils are not placed on the market if sulphur exceeds 0.1 % by mass. Motivated by stringent regulations regarding sulphur emission-controlled areas, the EU-funded project 'Technologies and scenarios for low emissions shipping' (TEFLES) focused on reducing emissions in maritime (i.e. SSS) traffic. The logic behind the TEFLES project was to design new approaches for setting up various scenarios at sea, in coastal areas and in ports. These were then analysed with advanced computer simulation tools to record the most promising and cost-effective technologies available. Without these methods in place, it was estimated that any technology approaches and developments would be less effective. TEFLES developed and combined after-treatment, hydrodynamics and power-generation technologies for emission reduction in ships. In particular, scientists developed and validated an innovative exhaust gas cleaning system that integrates a dry scrubber and a compact selective catalytic reactor. Although a slight increase in fuel consumption was noticed, sulphur oxides were reduced by over 90 % and heat recovery was increased by over 40 %. Design of advanced hydrodynamic models helped reduce fuel consumption at sea and in port scenarios. Scientists also focused on reducing the time and therefore the emissions on port entrance and manoeuvring until mooring, focusing on tug, propeller and rudder interactions. Another task was to develop models for loads and power supply systems for various types of ships and different port power supply infrastructures. TEFLES assessed the potential benefits that cold ironing can bring in terms of emission reductions and improved energy efficiency. Project findings were disseminated widely via the project website, seminars, conferences, workshops, newsletters and several published scientific papers. Keywords Maritime transport, emissions, carbon emissions, short sea shipping, sulphur content, marine fuels, waterway vessels, ships, low emissions shipping, after-treatment, hydrodynamics, power-generation technologies, emission reduction, cold ironing
