INDUSTRY ROUND-UP
What Impact Do Ships Have on Human and Marine Life?
One of the more unusual sights of the coronavirus pandemic has been that of cruise ships stranded around the world.
Whether it is Princess liners in Manila Bay, Fred Olsen ships stranded in Rosyth or P&O vessels off the coast from Portsmouth to Plymouth, these ‘ghost ships’ have become somewhat of a tourist attraction.
But magnificent as they may look, questions have been raised about the impact these ships (and shipping in general) have on humans and marine life.
No switch off for stranded vessels
Many ships are choosing to remain out at sea because they have to pay fees to berth in ports, which could financially cripple an already struggling industry. Space at ports is also limited; for example, Southampton only has four cruise ship terminals — six in exceptional circumstances.
However, because of the dangers of ‘anchor drag’ or ships drifting at sea due to severe weather, it is impossible to have any vessel at anchor without a crew onboard. As such, things like safety systems and lighting need to be maintained for the onboard crew. This means that all these stranded vessels cannot simply switch off their generators.
The fuel these ships burn can be far more polluting than the types used for cars on roads, affecting air quality in the coastal communities.
Emissions of sulphur oxide can also make conditions like asthma worse, reducing lung function and leading to respiratory inflammation.
Filling the seas with sound
Yet, the impact of shipping on human life is nothing in comparison to that of marine life. Just last month, the Japanese MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef off the coast of Mauritius, spilling tonnes of oil into the surrounding sea. This ecological disaster has already had a significant impact on the local marine life, killing many different species.
Shipping routes are essentially ‘marine roads’, which provide pathways that facilitate transportation, connect locations and concentrate vessel movements. As with terrestrial roads, these routes also see extensive pollution. Some forms of shipping
46
www.dockyard-mag.com October 2020
pollution may be concentrated within marine roads, whereas others will have a larger footprint. Pollution can enter the marine environment either directly (as is the case with the Mauritius oil spill) or indirectly through ship emissions and exhaust.
Noise pollution also has a major impact on marine life. Ship engines are filling the seas with sound, with some sounds audible underwater for hundreds of kilometres. Short, loud blasts can cause physical damage, whereas persistent background noise — such as that from anchored cruise ships — can alter communication and feeding behaviours in marine animals.
A greener future
Shipping is one of the world’s largest industries, accounting for 80% of the total world merchandise trade. As such, it is vital to take
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
