The quality of the air we breathe can significantly impact our health and the environment. CAMS monitors and forecasts European air quality and worldwide long-range transport of pollutants.
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) from Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service
REsearch LIfecycle mAnagemeNt for Earth Science Communities and CopErnicus users in EOSC
## Rationale From 1st January 2020 the global upper limit on the sulphur content of ships' fuel oil was reduced from 3.50% to 0.50%, which represents an ~86% cut (from [https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/pages/34-IMO-2020-sulphur-limit-.aspx](https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/pages/34-IMO-2020-sulphur-limit-.aspx)). ![Ship image](https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/PublishingImages/2019 images pb/Sulphur 2020 inside pic.jpg) *Image from [IMO 2020 - cleaner shipping for cleaner air, 20 December 2019](https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/pages/34-IMO-2020-sulphur-limit-.aspx)* According to the [International Maritime Organization (IMO)](https://www.imo.org/) the new limit should lead to a 77% drop in overall SOx emissions from ships. The Figure below shows the 5 key beneficial changes from IMO's **Sulphur Limit** for Ships' fuel oil: ![Sulphur key changes](https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/PublishingImages/2019 images pb/5 changes - Sulphur 2020 - infographic web.jpg) *Five beneficial changes from IMO’s Sulphur Limit for ships’ fuel oil* ## This Research Object's purpose In this work we look as the **actual impact of these measures on air pollution along shipping routes in Europe** based on Copernicus air quality data. [Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS)](https://ads.atmosphere.copernicus.eu/cdsapp#!/home) uses satellite data and other observations, together with computer models, to track the accumulation and movement of air pollutants around the planet (see [https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/air-quality](https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/air-quality)). ### Rohub - Adam plateform integration Some of this CAMS data is available from the [Adam platform](https://adamplatform.eu) and can be imported into a [Research Object](https://www.researchobject.org). ![ADAM Platform](https://adamplatform.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/adam-home-platfomr.png) *Example of data (here daily temperatures) displayed on the Adam plateform* It is also possible, from the Research Object, to open the resource in the Adam platform, then interactively zoom into a particular geographical area (say to the right of the Strait of Gibraltar, along the track presumably followed by cargo ships to/from the Suez Canal) and change the date (for example between 2018-07-19 and 2023-07-19) to appreciate the change. #### To go further Obviously **a more detailed statistical analysis** would be required to minimize the effect of external factors (meteorological condition, level of cargo traffic, etc.) over a longer period of time to derive meaningful conclusions, however it does not seem that the high level of sulfur dioxide concentration from the pre-IMO regulation was reached after. ##### Looking at other pollutants Besides SOx the new regulation also contributed to decrease atmospheric concentrations in nitric oxides (NOx) as well as particulate matter (PM). ### References - [IMO 2020 - cleaner shipping for cleaner air, 20 December 2019](https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/pages/34-IMO-2020-sulphur-limit-.aspx)
## Rationale From 1st January 2020 the global upper limit on the sulphur content of ships' fuel oil was reduced from 3.50% to 0.50%, which represents an ~86% cut (from [https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/pages/34-IMO-2020-sulphur-limit-.aspx](https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/pages/34-IMO-2020-sulphur-limit-.aspx)). ![Ship image](https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/PublishingImages/2019%20images%20pb/Sulphur%202020%20inside%20pic.jpg) *Image from [IMO 2020 - cleaner shipping for cleaner air, 20 December 2019](https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/pages/34-IMO-2020-sulphur-limit-.aspx)* According to the [International Maritime Organization (IMO)](https://www.imo.org/) the new limit should lead to a 77% drop in overall SOx emissions from ships. The Figure below shows the 5 key beneficial changes from IMO's **Sulphur Limit** for Ships' fuel oil: ![Sulphur key changes](https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/PublishingImages/2019%20images%20pb/5%20changes%20-%20Sulphur%202020%20-%20infographic%20web.jpg) *Five beneficial changes from IMO’s Sulphur Limit for ships’ fuel oil* ## This Research Object's purpose In this work we look as the **actual impact of these measures on air pollution along shipping routes in Europe** based on Copernicus air quality data. [Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS)](https://ads.atmosphere.copernicus.eu/cdsapp#!/home) uses satellite data and other observations, together with computer models, to track the accumulation and movement of air pollutants around the planet (see [https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/air-quality](https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/air-quality)). ### Rohub - Adam plateform integration Some of this CAMS data is available from the [Adam platform](https://adamplatform.eu) and can be imported into a [Research Object](https://www.researchobject.org). ![ADAM Platform](https://adamplatform.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/adam-home-platfomr.png) *Example of data (here daily temperatures) displayed on the Adam plateform* It is also possible, from the Research Object, to open the resource in the Adam platform, then interactively zoom into a particular geographical area (say to the right of the Strait of Gibraltar, along the track presumably followed by cargo ships to/from the Suez Canal) and change the date (for example between 2018-07-19 and 2023-07-19) to appreciate the change. #### To go further Obviously **a more detailed statistical analysis** would be required to minimize the effect of external factors (meteorological condition, level of cargo traffic, etc.) over a longer period of time to derive meaningful conclusions, however it does not seem that the high level of sulfur dioxide concentration from the pre-IMO regulation was reached after. ##### Looking at other pollutants Besides SOx the new regulation also contributed to decrease atmospheric concentrations in nitric oxides (NOx) as well as particulate matter (PM). ### References - [IMO 2020 - cleaner shipping for cleaner air, 20 December 2019](https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/pages/34-IMO-2020-sulphur-limit-.aspx)
Has the 2020 IMO fuel regulation had any noticeable impact on air pollution from shipping?
Iaquinta, Jean, Anne Fouilloux, and Raul Palma. "Has the 2020 IMO fuel regulation had any noticeable impact on air pollution from shipping?." ROHub. Sep 11 ,2023. https://w3id.org/ro-id/075e9430-5949-4a09-8622-d20916994eaa.
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IMI news: Global limit on sulphur in ships' fuel oil reduced from 01 January 2020.
This report examines the potential of electrofuels (e-fuels) to decarbonise long-haul aviation and maritime shipping. E-fuels like hydrogen, ammonia, e-methanol or e-kerosene can be produced from renewable energy and feedstocks and are more economical to deploy in these two modes than direct electrification. The analysis evaluates the challenges and opportunities related to e-fuel production technologies and feedstock options to identify priorities for making e-fuels cheaper and maximising emissions cuts. The research also explores operational requirements for the two sectors to deploy e-fuels and how governments can assist in adopting low-carbon fuels
The Potential of E-fuels to Decarbonise Ships and Aircraft
Five beneficial changes from IMO's Sulphur Limit for ships' fuel oil