Ferry Pollution Worse than Cars in Many European Port Cities - CleanTechnica

A recent study by Transport & Environment (T&E) reveals that ferries in European port cities emit more CO₂ and toxic air pollutants than millions of cars, posing significant environmental and public health challenges. In 2023, 1,043 ferries across Europe emitted 13.4 million tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to the emissions of 6.6 million cars. Major port cities like Barcelona, Dublin, and Naples experience ferry-related sulfur oxide (SOx) pollution levels exceeding those from all cars in those cities combined. Dublin is currently the most polluted ferry port in Europe, with Las Palmas expected to take this position by 2027 due to new emission regulations in the North-East Atlantic. The study highlights that the average European ferry is 26 years old, indicating an urgent need for fleet renewal. Electrification presents a promising solution, as ferries are relatively easy to convert to battery power due to their fixed routes and smaller size. T&E estimates that over 60% of Europe's