Abstract: Society and its leaders are increasingly aware of the need to fight climate change and CO2
emissions in the search for sustainability. Maritime transport and ports are important sources of
pollution and, while industry and the rest of the large-scale emitters have achieved considerable
reductions in this area, ?shipping? is still not advancing at the same rate, falling behind in this race.
The aim of this article is to underline the importance of an early implementation of On-Shore Power
Supply (OPS), Cold Ironing (CI) or Alternative Marine Power (AMP) by making a study of potentially
avoidable CO2 emissions from vessels docked (on the basis of the EPA [Environmental Protection
Agency] and ENTEC [Environmental Engineering Consultancy, an environmental and engineering
consultancy in UK] methods) close to urban areas in the Port of Santander (Spain). It is the first time
potential reductions have been calculated for the last 11 years (2011?2021), distinguishing yearly
emissions per type of vessel and providing real information to port authorities to prioritize the
installation of this technological basis for the operation of piers/terminals to optimize investments
and outcomes. In this case study, results demonstrate the outcomes of ROROs, ferries, and cruises
being the first target of OPS implementation (reaching total of 37.95% of total emitted tons of CO2
during the period of study). As a clear conclusion to this paper, the reader can understand the
enormous and growing potential of this technology multiplied by the continuous development,
increase and implementation of green energies.
