Under the Radar:Shipping’s Dirty Secrets

Something in the Air1

Shipping powers over 90% of the global trade we depend on

Emission laws for busses and lorries are tight

Whilst shipping is largely unregulated.

Shipping uses low-grade, cheap ‘bunker fuel’.

Bunker fuel has up to 2,000 times the sulphur content of diesel used in cars.

70% of all ship emissions are within 400km of land.

By 2020 emissions from international shipping around Europe

Are expected to exceed all land-based pollution for all 27 EU member states combined.

The South-West of England borders one of the fastest-growing shipping pollution hotspots.

No comprehensive research has been carried out on the effects of bunker fuel on UK coastal communities.

Out of Sight2

Tanker and oil platform accidents only account for a minor share oil spills.

Almost half the world’s marine oil pollution is ‘operational discharge’ from oil tankers and large container ships.

Routine operations release fuel oil sludge, engine room wastes, tank washing residues and contaminated bilge and ballast water.

It is dumped at sea to avoid the costs of safe disposal (€0.15 per m3).

Oil dumped illegally equates to one full-tanker disaster every week.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors on polar orbiting satellites are now being used to gather evidence.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors on polar orbiting satellites are now being used to gather evidence.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors on polar orbiting satellites are now being used to gather evidence.

Suspect oil detected English Channel ‘08

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors on polar orbiting satellites are now being used to gather evidence.

Suspect oil detected in Europe 2011