Offshore wind turbines able to detect pollution from passing ships will soon be a feature of the North Sea, according to Belgian officials.
The Belgian Government has announced that it will be looking to invest in turbines fitted with ‘smart sensors’ able to detect ships emitting too much sulphur and nitrogen.
The government claim that these detection would then lead to fines for those companies not complying with regulations – a fine that can reach up to £20,000.
Philippe De Backer, state secretary of the North Sea, said:“By checking ships and enforcing standards we will improve the quality of the air and the livability on land.”
Ronny Schallier of BMM, part of the Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Science: “When it comes to pollution, we always think about cars and industry
“Ships are using heavily polluting fuel oil, though.”
Shipping traffic is responsible for at least 18% of all global sulphur emissions and for 3% of Co2 emissions.
It is believed that 10% of all ships are still emitting too much.
Currently, emissions from ships is gauged by the BMM taking a small plane over the North Sea two or three times a week.
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