According to a study by the clean transport think tank Transport and Environment (T&E), UK ports are being "choked" by harmful shipping fumes.
Milford Haven in Wales topped the list of the most polluted ports, followed by Immingham in Lincolnshire and Southampton. The report highlighted that ships in Milford Haven produced nearly 100 times more harmful sulphur oxides (SOx) than all 67,000 cars in Pembrokeshire in 2022.
The Port of Milford Haven has questioned the methodology of the study, suggesting that the findings may be inaccurate. The report stated that Milford Haven generated about 74,000kg (163,000lb) of SOx from 472 ships, whereas Immingham produced 51,000kg from 938 ships. In Southampton, 46 cruise ships, which accounted for just 6% of the vessels, emitted more SOx than 200 container ships combined.
Jonathan Hood, UK sustainable shipping manager at T&E, criticized the government's inaction, which he believes has allowed the shipping industry to continue polluting. He urged the government to adopt an updated Clean Maritime Plan, emphasizing the need to transition from fossil fuels to zero-emission technologies.
A spokesperson for Associated British Ports (ABP) countered the report, claiming the company has made significant efforts to reduce emissions, achieving a 34% reduction in carbon dioxide since 2015. They also highlighted investments in green technology and adherence to air quality standards set by local and national authorities.
ABP expressed concerns about the study's theoretical modeling and its lack of engagement with the company before the report's release. Similarly, the Port of Milford Haven stated that it is actively working with customers to reduce emissions and accelerate the transition to a Net Zero future.
The British Ports Association, representing UK operators, criticized the report for lacking context. Mark Simmonds, the association's policy director, noted that emissions from ports are a small fraction of overall city emissions and emphasized the industry's ambitious net-zero targets, which are expected to positively impact air quality. Photo by Deborah Tilley, Wikimedia commons.