Institute of Transportation, MOTC

    The air pollutants emitted from ships traveling at major harbors and in the ocean around Taiwan have been estimated by using Automatic Identification System (AIS) from MOTC in this study.  Their impacts on the ambient air quality in Taiwan, including primary and secondary air pollutants, were evaluated by using three-dimensional grid model Community Multi-scale Air Quality model (CMAQ). The results can be used by various agencies to decide control strategies to improve the ambient air quality in Taiwan. 
    Based on AIS data in 2013 and 2016, there were about 3000 ships travelling around Taiwan every day and the major three type of ships were bulker, container, and tank. The total power of major engine in ships were about 35 GW to 40 GW.  There were differences of the emission inventory for ships within and outside of harbors between AIS and Taiwan Emission Data System (TEDS) and part of the differences may be from the turn-off of AIS. Therefore, it is recommended to include the port record with AIS to improve the emission inventory in the future. 

    The ship emission forecasting factors for special events like Chinese new year, typhoon, have to be modified and the errors for the second-day forecast were less than 10% and the absolute errors were less 30%.  The air quality index forecasting by CMAQ are better at green range and are overestimated for orange and red ranges. 
    The results of this study can provide a reference to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Maritime Port Bureau and Taiwan International Ports Corporation or the Environmental Protection Administration to develop air pollution countermeasures in the port and coastal areas to establish a green port to comply with the norms of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO), enhancing the image of the port, as well as ensuring the sustainable development of the environment. Separately, the research results have been promoted by holding one session of education and training.