Greenhouse gas emissions can be significantly lowered by reducing waiting time at port and optimising voyage speeds, according to new research by UMAS and University College London’s Energy Institute

The recent ‘Port congestion, Waiting Times and Operational Efficiency’ paper found that the average ship spends between 4-6% of its operational time, or 15-22 days annually, waiting at anchor outside ports before being given a berth.

If this were reduced researchers estimate that container ships and bulkers could save approximately 10% of their emissions, while gas carriers/oil tankers and chemical tankers could save 16% and 25% respectively.