According to Oxford Economics, the impact of cruise ship activity on air quality in Barcelona and Palma is minimal.
Even if the Port of Barcelona and the Port of Palma were to exceed their capacity in terms of docked cruise ships, the levels of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and sulfur oxides would remain within the favorable air quality parameters established by the European Environment Agency.
Researchers from the Rovira i Virgili University (URV) in Tarragona state: “The results obtained show that the contribution of cruise ships to air pollution at the different points of analysis within both cities is limited, with road traffic being the main cause of the high levels of pollution.”
Meanwhile, director of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in Spain, asserts: “This data once again confirms the minimal impact of cruise traffic on air pollution in cities, an argument tirelessly defended by the industry, supported by numerous independent studies.”
He adds: “The scientific and rigorous nature of the URV study gives it great value, while also showing the results of the effort and investments that the industry has been undertaking for years to reduce its environmental footprint.”
“However, we are not satisfied; we will continue working to further reduce our emissions and promoting research into technologies and practices that will allow us to advance on our journey towards net zero emissions,” he says.
Oxford Economics identifies the following initiatives as "key" to improving the environmental performance of cruise ships: increasing the number of sustainability specifications for new constructions; equipping ships already in operation with new technologies and improving existing ones; and investing in both green technologies (onboard and onshore) and cleaner fuels.
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