Ferries emit ‘more sulphur pollution than cars’ in several EU capitals

Dublin, Helsinki, Stockholm and Tallinn among port cities more choked by sulphur oxides from ferries, analysis shows

Fume-belching ferries spew more sulphur pollution than cars in several EU capitals, analysis has found.

Dublin, Helsinki, Stockholm and Tallinn are among 13 of Europe’s 15 biggest port cities choked more by sulphur oxides (SOx) from ferries than road vehicles, data shared exclusively with the Guardian shows.

Europe’s ageing fleet of nearly 2,000 ferries are a large but overlooked source of foul air in coastal cities.

Emissions of sulphurous oxides – toxic gases that smell like burnt matches and rotten eggs – react to form tiny particles that penetrate the lungs, ride the bloodstream and damage organs throughout the body.