Marine Environmental Impacts from Port Infrastructure and Operations
Use Case Description
This use case provides the tools and information needed to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with the development and operation of ports and related maritime infrastructure. Port activities—such as cargo handling, dredging, fuel transfer, vessel traffic, and waste discharge—can lead to significant environmental stress, particularly in sensitive coastal ecosystems.
Using EO data, port-related impacts can be monitored across spatial and temporal scales. It includes assessing changes in land use, shoreline modifications, habitat disturbance, and degradation in water quality. Indicators such as increased turbidity, chlorophyll-a concentrations, and the presence of pollutants in adjacent waters can be monitored regularly to detect environmental stress linked to port operations.
Additionally, EO can support emission assessments by tracking air quality parameters in the vicinity of ports. These include nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter concentrations from vessel exhaust, machinery, and fuel storage. The cumulative impact of such activities can be visualised through environmental indices and spatial overlays.
The outputs help port authorities, environmental agencies, and developers understand the footprint of port operations and make informed decisions regarding mitigation, compensation, and policy enforcement. They also support Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and long-term environmental performance evaluations, contributing to more sustainable port management aligned with international environmental goals.
