Significant Reduction in Pollutants at Port of Paranaguá

Scientists from the Federal University of Paraná have found that the Port of Paranaguá, located on the coast of Paraná, experienced a significant reduction in pollutants such as sulfur and nickel from 2019 to 2020. The study, titled “Impact assessment of IMO’s sulfur content limits: a case study at Latin America’s largest grain port,” was conducted by a team of researchers and based on the doctoral thesis of environmental engineer Camila Bufato, supervised by Professor Ricardo Godoi.

Bufato assessed the impact of the policies established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2020 to reduce the sulfur content in ship fuel. The research highlighted that maritime transport, responsible for 80% of world trade, involves approximately 100,000 vessels consuming 4.3 million barrels of heavy fuel oil every day.

The study revealed significant decreases in the presence of heavy metals at the Port of Paranaguá: vanadium dropped by 86%, nickel by 62.06%, and sulfur by 40%. Researchers used “Harvard impactors” to measure the average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) specific to ships. Weekly samples collected near the port underwent x-ray fluorescence analysis to identify their content.

“After collecting and analyzing the fine particulate matter (PM2.5), we applied an equation to calculate particulate matter emissions, including sulfur, nickel, and vanadium, associated with ship fuel oil. Continuous monitoring is ideal for gathering more robust and complex results,” explained researcher Bufato.

“The reduction in ship fuel’s sulfur content has significantly improved air quality along the coast of Paraná. This significantly enhances the surrounding environment and the port community’s quality of life by reducing health risks. The trend in global logistics is increasingly aligning with sustainable measures, and Portos do Paraná is committed to that,” emphasized João Paulo Santana, Director of Environment at Portos do Paraná.

Ongoing Research and Monitoring

In addition to UFPR’s research, other institutions are assessing the environmental impacts of ports. Portos do Paraná, for instance, has numerous ecological monitoring, management, control, and inspection programs. These include monitoring water quality, fishing activity, aquatic biota, sediment quality, groundwater, ballast water, and mangroves.

The Government of Paraná supports scientific research on detecting pollutant emission levels through projects like the Napi Climate Emergency. This project, with a budget of R$3.2 million over three years, involves more than 48 researchers across Paraná who are focused on detecting polluting gases.

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