Environment/energy

Study: European Ferries Emit More Sulphur Than All City Cars

Should ferries electrify immediately or is gradual transition the only realistic path forward?

Published 1 day ago

Study: European Ferries Emit More Sulphur Than All City Cars

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Above: A freight ferry destined for the U.K. leaves Dublin Port on Jan. 31, 2024. Image credit: Brian Lawless/PA Images/Getty Images

The Spin

Narrative A

Reports focused solely on high emissions compared to inner-city cars generate a false comparison for transport designed to operate long-distance between multiple locations. Ferries reduce prices, tolls and human fatigue, making them a net benefit to society even if more progress on their environmental impacts can be made.

Ferryhopper

Narrative B

Cruise ships in Europe emit more sulphur oxides than one billion cars, yet the industry keeps expanding, with 360 ships carrying record rates of passengers. Though new fuels take massive investment and infrastructure that doesn't yet exist at scale, making efficiency improvements and gradual transitions is the only realistic path forward — it is clear that change is desperately needed.

BBC News