WITHDRAWN: Assessment of COVID-19 pandemic effects on ship pollutant emissions in major international seaports

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic effects and associated restrictive rules on ship activities and pollutant emissions (CO 2 , SO X , NO X , PM, CO, CH 4 ) in four major seaports, namely the Ports of Singapore, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Hamburg. We used 2019 as the baseline year to show the business-as-usual emission and compared with the estimated quantity during the July 2020–July 2021 pandemic period. We also project future ship emissions from August 2021–August 2022 to illustrate two potential port congestion scenarios due to COVID-19. The results show that the ship emissions in all four ports generally increased by an average of 79% because of the prolonged turnaround time in port. Importantly, majority of ship emissions occurred during the extended hoteling time at berth and anchorage areas as longer operational times were needed due to pandemic-related delays, with increases ranging from 27 to 123% in the total emissions across ports. The most affected shipping segments were the container ships and dry bulk carriers which the total emissions of all pollutants increased by an average of 94–142% compared with 2019. Overall, the results of this study provide a comprehensive review of the ship emission outlook amid the pandemic uncertainty.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Disruptions on Container Transport

“…However, the study results by Liu et al (2021) showed that the ship emissions in ports increased by an average of 79 % because of the prolonged turnaround time in port. It is important that most ship emissions occurred during the extended staying time at berth and anchorage areas due to longer operational times caused by the pandemic.…”

COVID-19 pandemic, port congestion, and air quality: Evidence from China

“…Port cities are characterized by the developed maritime trade, densely populated, and higher industrial levels. However, few researchers analyze the impacts of the epidemic on ports ( Fuwape et al, 2021 ; Liu et al, 2021 ). Ito et al (2020) analyzed the cruise industry during the context of the pandemic, and they focused on the impact of confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the changes in cruise passengers.…”

“…As for the reasons we use panel data, they are as follows. Firstly, panel data have a higher freedom degree compared with the time series or cross-section data ( Liu et al, 2021 ); Secondly, the panel regression model can become a variable coefficient regression model to study the effects of different elements with different port cities. Thirdly, kinds of variables can be added to ignore the effects of unobserved factors.…”

“…Specifically, when ships are at ports for a longer time, the corresponding emissions from ships may increase due to basic operation. In addition, the prevention of COVID-19 increases quarantine time which adds to the waiting time for loading and unloading at ports ( Liu et al, 2021 ). As we all know, cargo handling and vessel operation at ports will produce kinds of emissions, especially particulate matter ( Shi and Weng, 2021 ).…”