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Published:
Oct 29, 2026DOI:
10.4314/mejs.v18i2.6Keywords:
Article Details
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Main Article Content
Assessment of Ship-based Air Pollutant Emissions in Iskenderun Bay Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Özkan Akar
Vahit Çalışır
Aydın Demirci
Emrah Şimşek
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged as a global crisis in early 2020, disrupted many sectors, including maritime transport. Iskenderun Bay, located in southeastern Türkiye, is home to numerous industrial ports and plays a significant role in national and regional logistics. This study examines the impact of the pandemic on ship-based emissions of air pollutants by comparing the annual emission levels for 2019 and 2020. The analysis focuses on five major pollutants: nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM), evaluated by both port location and ship type. Emission data were estimated using vessel traffic information obtained from port authorities and regional maritime institutions. Each vessel’s operational parameters, such as engine size and activity modes including cruising, maneuvering, and berthing, were considered. Emission factors consistent with internationally recognized methodologies were applied. Spatial analysis techniques and descriptive statistics were used to highlight temporal and locational variations. The results reveal that while a general decrease in emissions was observed in many ports due to reduced maritime traffic, some locations experienced notable increases. For instance, CO₂ emissions at the EKMAR port increased significantly in 2020, exceeding the highest port-level emission recorded in 2019. On the other hand, SANKO port demonstrated a sharp decline, with reductions in emissions reaching over 95 percent in some pollutant categories. When grouped by ship type, all categories showed reduced emissions in 2020 compared to the previous year, likely due to changes in fuel regulations and reduced global demand for shipping services. These findings suggest that the environmental impacts of global disruptions like pandemics can vary substantially at the regional level. The study provides valuable insights for maritime policymakers and port administrators seeking to develop adaptive strategies for emission control and sustainability planning.
