Ship Based Pollution Sources

SHIP BASED POLLUTION
SOURCES
H.M.S.K. Herath
ENS 2043
Contents
 What is Ship based pollution?
 Oil pollution
 Chemical pollution
 Dry bulk Cargo releases
 Garbage and Sewage.
 Air pollution and GHG emissions
 Ballast water
 Noise pollution
 End of life disposal and ship recycling.

What is ship based pollution?
Marine transportation includes the maximum percentage of Global trade (80-90%). It carries
over billion tonnes of containers and cargo annually across the oceans. Due to its ability to
move a vast capacity of goods it’s considered as one of the most favorable methods of Global
commercial transportation. Not only commercial shipping, the other shipping such as cruise
ships and war ships also travel often across the oceans. This high volume of shipping also
contains some disadvantages especially to the environment.
The ship based pollution can be occurred by intentional dumping of oil, debris or sewage or it
can unintentionally happen by accidental oil spillages and sometimes by ballast water. The
MARPOL convention ; International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
which was adopted by international maritime organization in 1973, addresses all the possible
sources of ship based pollution and the guidelines and regulations to govern and prevent such
pollution.
Oil pollution
Most known pollution source is petroleum products; such as Gasoline, Unrefined crude oil
and bunker oil. Oil pollution can take place by accidental discharge as a result of human error
or technological errors. Operational discharges are intentional and caused by neglect or
willfully violating international agreements and laws. It is estimated that around 600 000 –
1,750,000 tons of oil is dumped to ocean annually during transportation of oil by tankers and
by accidents. Although there are many sources that cause far more serious damages to marine
environment, oil spilling also can disrupt the marine and coastal wildlife. It can disturb the
normal feeding and respiratory patterns of marine organisms and birds. Oil can be toxic so it
can be lethal to marine organisms. Spilled oil can harm the seabed, corals and shoreline as
well. Not only for marine organisms fisherman of the area can also be affected and their
fishing gear and boats can be damaged.
Chemical pollution
It is also known as Hazardous and noxious substance spills. Around 2000 chemicals that are
used globally are transported through cargos. The accidents can cause the spilling of
chemicals and there is a high risk of explosions, chemical fires and toxic releases to the
marine environment that can severely affect it. The seriousness of the incident depends on the
qualities of the spilled chemical, quantity and the location of spillage. They can pose serious
hazards, interactions and behaviors towards flora, fauna and human health as well.
Dry bulk cargo releases
Mostly transported bulk commodities include iron ore, coal, bauxite and phosphate rocks etc.
these can be accidentally spilled during an event like ship sinking or ship loss or can be
operational spillage; intentional spilling. When released in larger quantities it can cause
negative environmental impacts. Although they are nontoxic it can increase morality of sea
organisms.
Garbage and Sewage.

It is one of the main Ship based pollution source that cause a serious environmental
degradation in oceans. The types of waste generated by ships include Organic waste, Glass,
plastic, cardboard and paper packaging materials, oily bilge water, waste water (sewage) and
hazardous waste such as paint and pharmaceuticals.
Plastics can cause major damages to marine mammals and fishes. They can mistakenly ingest
plastics and die or some can be trapped inside plastic containers and strangled by ropes and
eventually die.
Largest volume of waste disposed by ships is food. This can change the water quality of the
ocean, its turbidity and nutrient levels of ocean water and can affect sediment levels.
Although majority of the sewage released to the ocean are and based (From treatment plants
or sewers) ships also contribute to some extent of pollution by releasing sewage to oceans.
This can create various health hazards as well as oxygen depletion in ocean water. It also can
cause visual pollution in coastal areas.
Air pollution and GHG emissions

33% of all trade related fossil fuel combustion emissions are derived from marine
transportation. Ships emits Conventional air pollutants including sulfur oxides, Nitrogen
oxides, VOC’s, carbon monoxide etc. They also emits greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide,
methane and nitrous oxide in significant amounts because of large amount of fossil fuels used
by ship engines.
Ballast water
Ships usually intake a large amount of water to stabilize; along with all the hanging materials.
Usually the water is taken from one place and dumped in another place. This may carry
microorganisms or harmful or invasive fish or marine plant species which can destroy the
natural biodiversity of a sea region.
Noise pollution
Oceans are naturally noisy environments due to wave actions and sound from marine
mammals and other organisms. But along with other factors marine transportation has
increased the underwater noise due to machinery operations. In cruise ships the entertainment
programs also produce loud noises. Noise can disturb the swimming patterns, respiratory
patterns or physical harm and death.
End of life disposal and ship recycling

During Ship disposal they are cut in to salvageable components. This can release
considerable amount of oil, lubricants and hazardous chemicals. During ship breaking
process noise and various fumes can be discharged. And also metal and plastic fragments and
other solid wastes are created. These can pose threats to marine organisms.
Reference
1. Walker, Tony R., et al. "Environmental effects of marine transportation." World Seas: an
environmental evaluation. Academic Press, 2019. 505-530.
2. Oil Pollution and International Marine Environmental Law By Ekaterina Anyanova, Submitted:
June 2nd 2011Reviewed: November 16th 2011Published: August 1st 2012 , DOI:
10.5772/37399
3. Pollution Prevention (n.d). International Maritime Organization. https://www.imo.org/

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SHIP BASED POLLUTION

 Dry bulk Cargo releases

 Garbage and Sewage.

 Air pollution and GHG emissions

 End of life disposal and ship recycling.

Garbage and Sewage.

Air pollution and GHG emissions

End of life disposal and ship recycling

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