Shipping activity impacts air quality in Tema — EPA boss

Ghana must deploy comprehensive sustainable solutions to end the significant environmental challenges presented by the shipping industry, the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, has said.

She explained that for decades, the shipping industry had been a silent contributor to environmental degradation with the heavy fuel used in ships releasing high levels of carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxide contributing to climate change and air pollution.

She said there was clear evidence in Tema where emissions from vessels, cargo handling activities and general port operations had negatively impacted air quality and public health.

Speaking at the Port Effectiveness and Public-Private Cooperation (PEPP II) conference in Accra last Thursday,  Prof. Klutse said Ghana held great potential to lead the way in Africa’s transition to sustainable maritime practices.

However, she said, the country’s transition would require bold action, strategic investment and a strong policy framework aligning with the International Maritime Organisation’s goal of reducing global shipping emissions by 50 per cent in 2025.

“This means that we must promote the use of low sulphur fuel, liquified natural gas, biofuels and hydrogen-based fuel.

“As regulators, we must establish stricter environmental compliance standards to ensure that all vessels calling at Ghana ports meet international emission reduction targets,” she said.

The climatologist stated that regulations alone were not enough, the country must create incentives such as tax holidays, green financing and subsidies to encourage shipping companies to adopt green technologies and sustainable practices.

Strong collaboration

The acting Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, underscored the need for strong collaboration with other stakeholders within the maritime industry to ensure sustainability.

The participants. Picture: ERNEST KODZI

“So, I look forward to a greater conversation, given where I've come from, one of the special projects that the Ghana Maritime Authority will be having is a reinvigorated project on research,” he said.

He said as part of its mandate, the GMA would continue to enforce international and national maritime laws and oversee infrastructure, vessel operations, pollution control and seafarers’ welfare.

He said the responsibilities of the authority included ship registration, inspections, training, port security, and implementing international conventions.

He added that the authority promoted safe water transportation, protected the marine environment and ensured safety for seafarers and inland waterways.

The project

The Principal Investigator of the PEP-II Project, Prof. Annette Skovsted Hansen, said the PEPP was a research project that sought to focus on the future of sustainable ports and shipping along the African coasts.

“During the past six years, we have had two research projects bringing together researchers, port officials, port operators, and media from Ghana, Denmark, Togo and the United States to follow the changes at the Port of Tema,” she added.

The Principal Investigator explained that the conversations, observations, and deeper analyses had brought about many insights and new knowledge.

“As the project is coming to a close, we greatly appreciate that so many researchers have decided to join us for our conference to share their research and explore new possibilities for collaboration and networking to provide knowledge upon which decisions for the future of ports can be based,” Prof. Hansen stated.