EnvironmentEuropeTech

Denmark might draft in sniffer drones in its ongoing crackdown on polluting ships

Denmark continues to crack down on polluting ships, deploying ever smarter technology to track down operators flouting local ECA rules.

The country’s environmental protection agency (EPA) has signed a deal with local startup Explicit to monitor ships’ sulfur emission levels using a “unique new sniffer technology”.

“The objective is to detect and deter violations of the 0.10% ECA restriction on sulphur in the bunker fuel,” the EPA stated.

“The new Mini Sniffer System is capable of measuring both sulphur and NOX emissions from vessels to determine their compliance, and is small enough to be carried on a drone without compromising quality or reliability. Initially however, the technology will be deployed on a manned helicopter, but with the prospect of phasing in drones as a supplement in the future.”

Denmark has already installed so called sniffers underneath bridges where ships transit.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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