Installation of a German air monitoring network to support MARPOL Annex-VI compliance monitoring
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Government
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#OceanAction40898
Description
Since January 01, 2015 inside designated Emission Control Areas (ECA) like the whole North Sea and Baltic Sea the allowed fuel sulphur content (FSC) is 0.1% m/m. To match this regulation, inside the ECA vessels must use a much more expensive low sulphur fuel or must be operated with a Scrubber. Inside the ECAs vessels are check for MARPOL compliance by costly on board iner of ships can be checked.
The question rises how to increase the number of checked vessels without increasing the number of the personnel intensive on board inspections. Within the BSH funded MeSMarT project (measurement of shipping emissions in the marine troposphere, www.mesmart.de) the University of Bremen enhanced a method to estimate the FSC of passing vessels by measuring the chemical composition of the exhaust gas from remote. Therefore modified standard in situ air quality monitors are used. By sending the analysis results in near real time to the responsible authorities, this information can be used to select
conspicuously measured vessels for the on board inspections (targeting).
Since summer 2016 the above described remote measurement method is in test operation at a pilot station about 10 km downriver of Hamburg harbour. Due to very positive experience the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) decided to establish a German air monitoring network to support MARPOL Annex-VI compliance monitoring. This monitoring network will consist of up to six fixed measurement sites close to the main shipping lanes of sea-going vessels (e.g. Elbe, Bremerhaven, Kiel, Warnemnde,), as well as one mobile station on board a research vessel.
The monitoring network will be set up and operated by the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH). It is planned to report conspicuously measured vessels automatically in near real time to the international database Thetis-EU (http://emsa.europa.eu/psc-main/thetis.html).
Results from compaspections carried out by the water police or the port state control (PSC) at the port of calling. Due to the large number of vessels calling ports inside the ECA regions, only a small numbrable remote measurement carried out in other states (e.g. Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, and Belgium) will be reported by the national operators to this database, too. As all national authorities of EMSA member states do have access, the Thetis-EU database enables a quick data exchange to trigger on board inspections and therefore to increase the inspections efficiency in all countries.
Institute of Environmental Physics, University of Bremen (Academic Institution)
"Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) (Lead, Government)
Institute of Environmental Physics, University of Bremen (Academic Institution)
Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) (Lead, Government)
Institute of Environmental Physics, University of Bremen (Academic Institution)
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.1 | By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution |
| 14.c | Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want" |
Deliverables & Timeline
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
| Title | Progress Status | Submitted |
|---|---|---|
| Partnership Progress 2020-01-08 | On track |
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Contact Information
Karin Schrder, Head of Staff Unit