Section on Bunkering and Shipping issues from ESG
‘List of Objectives 2019’ available in full at:
www.esg-gib.net
BUNKERING/SHIPPING
This is a continuous problem in Gibraltar which
results in increasing the pollution of our area. ESG is
focused on the key areas below:
Spills and Fumes - There has been a significant
improvement over the years, with greater resourcing
and investment in technology
VTS - Vessel Tracking Systems, installed some years
back, (an ESG campaign), now delivering higher safety
shipping standards.
Measures have been in place for some time now to
direct vessels entering Gibraltar waters to switch to
cleaner burning fuels. This has had a clear positive
impact as many vessels now follow this requirement
even though emissions are not totally eliminated
Ships at anchor - Should follow best practice
and limit power generation to essential while in
emission-controlled areas (ECAs) to reduce harmful
emissions close to shore. The Port Authority should
also exert greater control over client vessels and
bunkering barges, and the level of sooty emissions
produced by some, on a regular basis. These cause
high levels of particulate and nitrogen dioxide levels,
which threaten human health.
Supply barges and other vessels - Audits to be
carried out on all supply vessels which at times can
also produce unacceptable levels of either air or noise
pollution, or both
Power supply - ship pollution from running engines
at berth is now a principal environmental problem
at many ports in Europe. Measures such as onshore
power conversion and connection, are being introduced
along with legislation to enforce ships in for repair
or visiting for more than a day, to switch off their
engines and connect to the local grid. The ESG has
campaigned for some time to see this measure implemented
and enforced in Gibraltar. A positive step
has been taken on a site with one being prepared to
install cold ironing. This is certainly progress and we
look forward to seeing others follow.
Detached Mole - ESG is concerned that while supporting
a land-based fuel storage option over floating
mother vessels, this model does not represent
the ideal solution. Greater use of vapour recovery technology
is also essential to eliminate fumes, which
periodically sweep through the town on certain fuel
transfers at this site. However, while we understand
this may change, there have been no vessels berthed
here for some time. Conflict between fueling at
this site will only grow with the creation of a major
residential reclamation directly opposite the mole
(Victoria Keys).
OTWO 11 / JUNE 2020 41