Local mortality and costs from ship-related emissions in three major Portuguese ports

Abstract

Local models have the advantage of accounting for specific characteristics of the local environment and population, potentially improving the accuracy of results compared to regional and global models. An impact pathway analysis was conducted to estimate the years of life lost (log-linear functions based on WHO-HRAPIE relative risks) and external costs (using the statistical value of a life year) related to PM2.5 and NO2 emissions from ships in three Portuguese municipalities, where three maritime ports are located. In-port ship-related PM2.5 emissions caused 90 (95% CI: 59–118), 130 (95% CI: 86–170) and 11 (95% CI: 8–15) years of life lost for Matosinhos, Setúbal and Sines, respectively. In-port ship-related NO2 emissions in Matosinhos were responsible for 64 (95% CI: 37–89) years of life lost. Setúbal had the highest total costs, with PM2.5 emissions costing €4.0 million (95% CI: 2.7–5.2). Although Sines had the lowest total costs, the costs per capita were higher than in Matosinhos and almost the same as in Setúbal. The findings demonstrate that in-port ship-related emissions reduce the average life expectancy of populations living near port areas and result in high societal costs. The results can serve as a benchmark for assessing the benefits of implementing shore side electricity and can be used by port authorities and policymakers to justify the need for financial or organisational support programs for infrastructure investments.”