Is the utilization of methane gas, the sollution of air pollution in difuse sectors?. The case of port of Castellón

Abstract

Within an scenario of highly sensitivity on environmental questions, followed by an international regulation body, that is restricting the emission levels from ships in ports with the future possibilit y of more stringent local regulations; the challenge for the world’s fleet are not only technical but economic and logistical. From one side, there are different technical alternatives affording to accomplish the nowadays international regulations. Even avoiding on board modifications, the owner can decide to use low sulphur content fuels, together with slight changes in engines to reduce the levels of nitrogen oxides. But the question posed in this paper is how to support the decision to use high quality oil derivatives, because environment questions, but with a favorable economic balance. That superior cost will be translated in a higher transport chain cost. Additionally regarding coastal navigation, it is possible in the future that some new regulations could penalize elevated rates of CO2 emissions, not yet considered by MARPOL convention. This paper will analyze the availability of the use of methane as ideal fuel to get compliment of the nowa days and even future, local and international regulations of CO2 and NOX, regarding the fuel derivatives and no emissions of sulphur oxides and ashes