GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
port emissions
Port emissions come into play the moment a vessel enters harbour and fires up its auxiliary engines – well before cargo operations begin.
Quick Answer
Last updated: Published:
Source: https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/Air-Pollution.aspx
Category
Logistics concept
Reading time
1 min
Words
123
Mentioned in
–
Definition & Explanation
Port emissions come into play the moment a vessel enters harbour and fires up its auxiliary engines – well before cargo operations begin. The term covers all pollutant releases attributable to port activity: nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and sulphur dioxide from ships at berth and during manoeuvring, exhaust from cranes and ground vehicles, and emissions from trucks and trains handling landside freight movements. Unlike vessel emissions at sea, the scope is deliberately broad, capturing every source tied to port-related traffic within a densely populated shoreside zone. Dock workers and local residents bear the direct health burden. Key regulatory tools include shore power for berthed vessels, the IMO's global sulphur limits, and – for European trades – the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
Next steps
Matching tools and partners
Related Terms
You might also be interested in these terms
Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox
Free · No password · Never a paywall. Weekly top news and facts from logistics.
Community Questions & Answers
Share your knowledge, ask follow-up questions, or add practical insights to this page. Every contribution is moderated before publication.
No community answers yet. Be the first.