Affordable Air Quality Monitoring for Ports & Harbours
Location: Felixstowe Port, Harwich Port & London Thamesport (Hutchison Ports)
Date: Feb 2022 – Ongoing
Application: 2 Praxis/Urbans deployed at each of 3 UK ports as part of their Port Air Quality Strategies.
Product: Praxis/Urban (configured with PM, SO & NO sensors and solar power supply)
Hutchison Port Holdings Limited approached South Coast Science to provide monitors for air quality monitoring projects at three UK Ports of Felixstowe, Harwich International and London Thamesport. Each site was keen to develop a method of self-regulation using a technology that was accurate yet affordable.
The Need: Emissions reduction for ports & harbours
Following the UK Government’s Clean Air Strategy, all major ports in England are required to develop plans to reduce emissions as part of their Port Air Quality Strategy.
SO2 is one of the most harmful chemical pollutants associated with shipping. Between 2007 and 2012 approximately 11.3 million tonnes of SO2 were generated annually by maritime transport, according to a report by the International Maritime Organisation. NO2 is another pollutant of concern, in the form of emissions from dock-side mechanised handling equipment like cranes, forklift trucks and vehicles. Particulate matter (PM) is also of concern and is common to both environments
Requirements for reducing emissions include, initially, to gain an understanding of air quality in ports and identify baseline levels. The longer term goal is to seek opportunities to mitigate high concentrations of pollutants.
The Solution: Actionable data from low cost ambient air monitors
2 Praxis/Urban instruments were deployed at each port to gather air quality data in real time. Each device is configured to measure NOSOPM1, PMPM temperature and humidity. They also operate using a solar power supply and transmit air quality data using 4G cellular communication (as well as storing data locally as a back-up).
Devices are quick to install and require no supervision once running. Air quality monitoring data is distributed via the Cloud, in real-time and integrated with each port’s site management facilities.
The Outcomes: Impactful air quality interventions
Accuracy is key. Only with accurate data can each Port understand when the concentration of each pollutant is above target.
Using the South Coast Science Praxis, whose accuracy has been independently certified to national and international standards, provides a commercially viable way to quantify what actions will have the biggest impact.
Monitoring at the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich International and London Thamesport started in early 2022, and we await an update on progress towards reducing emissions.
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