Evidence and Data
Port Wide Inventory
An air emission inventory from vessels that visit and use the tidal Thames between Teddington Lock and Southend has been commissioned by the PLA and Transport for London (TfL). Using activity data and emission factors for specific sources, marine emissions of Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Sulphur oxides (SOx), Particulate Matter (PMs), and carbon dioxide (CO2) have been calculated for the base year 2016. The inventory also included forward projections up until 2030 using predicted growth in river traffic and taken account of known future regulations, such as the North Sea Sulphur and Nitrogen Emission Control Area.
Greenwich air monitoring
The PLA has installed a number of continuous air pollution monitors near Greenwich Ship Tier recording which will allow us to assess the impact of short-term, local river activity on air quality in the area, including cruise visits to the area. This project is in partnership with Breathe London, RB Greenwich and LB Tower Hamlets.
Alternative Diesel Fuels Emissions Monitoring
The PLA has analyses the concentration of air pollutants within the exhaust gas from one of the Harbour Service vessels operation on Ultra-Low-Sulphur Diesel (ULSD), Gas-To-Liquid (GTL), and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
Diffusion tube results and analysis
The PLA has been monitoring concentrations of nitrogen dioxide at locations along the Thames from Richmond Lock to Gravesend using diffusion tubes.
Dispersion modelling
King’s College University conducted a modelling study using the results of the PLA’s 2016 Air Quality Inventory to assess the dispersion of air pollutants once they are emitted into the atmosphere. This is integrated into the 2016 London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory which studies emissions from all sources, including road transport and construction activities.
Last updated 30/6/2021
