Emissions of NOX and particles from manoeuvring ships

Ship exhausts contain high levels of particles and nitrogen oxides due to the heavy fuel oil normally used for combustion and the combustion characteristics of most ship engines. The quantification of exhaust gases during ships’ manoeuvring has not received a lot of attention. This work presents results from emission measurements for the main engines onboard two ships and characterises quantities and potential impacts of emissions from manoeuvring. The observed nitrogen oxides levels vary throughout the manoeuvring period but at lower levels than at cruising speed. With a selective catalytic reduction system in operation, however, the situation is reversed. Elevated levels of particle emissions, measured as number concentrations, are detected throughout the manoeuvring. There are also peak concentrations of particles, at both the start-up and the shut-down of the engines. The increase is big enough to suspect a notable impact on air quality in port cities over the short period that manoeuvring at reduced speeds takes place.