News

Milford Haven tops list of UK’s most polluted ports

Published

2 years ago

May 20, 2024

NEW analysis by Transport & Environment UK (T&E UK) has revealed alarming levels of air pollution from ships at UK ports, with Milford Haven, Southampton, and Immingham emerging as the top three for harmful sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions. The study highlights the urgent need for regulatory action to address the severe environmental and health impacts associated with shipping emissions.

The findings show that in 2022, just 472 ships visiting Milford Haven produced nearly 100 times more SOx emissions than all of Pembrokeshire’s 67,000 cars. This disparity is stark, given that Milford Haven had only half the ship traffic of Immingham, which ranked second, yet still managed to emit 50% more SOx. Southampton, ranking third, saw 46 cruise ships – representing a mere 6% of its total vessels – contributing more SOx than 200 container ships.

The top ten ports for SOx pollution, according to T&E UK, collectively saw 3,700 ships emitting 30 times more SOx than the one million cars registered in their respective local authority areas. This paints a troubling picture of the pollution burden borne by port communities.

In terms of nitrogen oxides (NOx), ships in the top ten polluted ports produced nearly 1.75 times as much NOx as the 970,000 cars registered in those areas. Southampton again topped this list, with its ships producing four times more NOx than all the city’s cars, half of which came from cruise ships. The scenario was similar for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), where Southampton also led, with ships producing half as much PM2.5 as a million cars, with cruise ships contributing significantly.

Ships not only release poisonous exhaust fumes but also discharge pollutant-laden wash water from exhaust gas cleaning systems, commonly known as “scrubbers.” This wash water, dumped directly into the sea, adversely affects marine life and exacerbates ocean pollution, a growing concern in the UK. Despite this, only a few UK ports prohibit such discharges.

T&E UK’s rankings were derived from an analysis of SOx, NOx, and PM2.5 emissions from commercial passenger and cargo ships docked at UK ports in 2022. The study included vessels mooring within a 1.5 nautical mile radius of a port’s main coordinates, with emissions compared to pollution from cars registered in the same local authority areas, based on data from the Department for Transport and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

T&E UK has called for the government to enact comprehensive policy and regulations to address air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from UK shipping. The forthcoming refreshed Clean Maritime Plan is seen as a critical opportunity for action. Key recommendations include mandating zero-emission berths, implementing a shore-side electricity plan, charging ships for emissions while moored, and designating all UK territorial waters as Emission Control Areas. Additionally, a prohibition on scrubber wash water discharge is urged.

Jonathan Hood, UK Sustainable Shipping Manager at T&E, stated: “The awful levels of pollution revealed in this analysis demonstrate how the UK’s port cities are being choked by the harmful fumes caused by a shipping industry that, thanks to years of government inaction, has no impetus to change. The government has its last chance to chart a better course for the industry with the updated Clean Maritime Plan and it must not waste this opportunity. We need to see a rapid switch away from filthy fossil fuels, and ports must set binding targets to implement zero-emission technologies. These must include shore-side electricity, which would ensure ships can plug in at port and switch off their polluting engines.”

The Rt Hon. the Lord Deben, former Chairman of the UK Government’s Climate Change Committee, added: “It is disheartening to see the staggering levels of emissions from ships around UK ports, as revealed by T&E’s new analysis. There is an urgent need for stringent action from the government by prioritising stricter emissions control measures around UK territorial waters, increasing the use of shore-side electricity across ports, and prohibiting the discharge of dirty scrubber water into waterways. Without decisive action, the health impacts for residents and workers in port towns, not to mention economic costs, will continue to soar, leaving communities to suffer the dire consequences of inaction.”

The Port of Milford Haven said it was “working incredibly hard, inside our own business and with our customers, to reduce emissions and deliver an accelerated transition to a Net Zero future”.

A Port of Milford spokesperson said: “The Port of Milford Haven is the busiest energy port in the UK supporting Britain and Europe with vital energy and fuel. As custodians of the Milford Haven Waterway, our environment is very important to us. Sustainability is one of our core values and we are working incredibly hard, inside our own business and with our customers, to reduce emissions and deliver an accelerated transition to a Net Zero future.

“This year, the Port implemented a ‘Green Ship Incentive Program’ to provide discounted rates for ships that perform better in reducing air emissions. Milford Haven is one of the first UK ports – and the only one in Wales – to financially incentivise environmental improvements to ships.

“In addition, the Port is one of only a handful of UK ports to prohibit ships that use open loop scrubbers to clean exhaust emissions from discharging their wash water within the Milford Haven Waterway.

“The Port of Milford Haven supports the British Port Association’s rebuttal of the report produced by Transport and Energy (T&E) UK and question the methodology they have used to reach their conclusions. We are also disappointed they did not engage with us ahead of the report’s launch.

“The Port of Milford Haven has a pivotal role to play in delivering the UK’s Net Zero ambitions offering a whole energy cycle solution that will unlock accelerated transition while stimulating economic growth. Together with our customers, we are committed to a resilient, low carbon future and as a lead partner in the Milford Haven Energy Cluster we have documented a pathway to achieve this here: Milford Haven Waterway Future Energy Cluster – Delivering an accelerated transition to a Net Zero future – 2023 on Vimeo.”

The British Ports Association, which represents UK operators, said the report lacked critical context and industry research showed emissions from ports were a fraction of wider background emissions in most cities.

Mark Simmonds, the association’s policy director, said most of the industry had “ambitious” net-zero targets, which would have “a positive impact on air quality”.

News

Police launch winter crackdown on crime and antisocial behaviour across Dyfed-Powys

Published

22 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE have launched a winter policing operation aimed at tackling town centre crime, antisocial behaviour and dangerous driving during the festive period.

The force is taking part in the Home Office’s Winter of Action campaign, with officers concentrating on crime “hotspots” across Dyfed, Powys and West Wales in the run-up to Christmas and New Year.

Police say the focus will be on reducing shoplifting, street crime and antisocial behaviour, alongside increased patrols linked to the night-time economy. The operation also includes measures targeting violence against women and girls, as well as alcohol-related disorder.

The winter campaign is being supported by Operation Ivydene, a dedicated antisocial behaviour initiative funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Dyfed-Powys Police received almost £500,000 in 2024 to deliver additional patrols and targeted responses in identified problem areas.

According to the force, Operation Ivydene delivered more than 12,000 hours of patrols during its first year, with reported antisocial behaviour falling by around 40% in hotspot locations.

The second year of the operation began this autumn. Inspector Darren Crockford said lessons learned during the first phase were now being used to broaden the focus.

He said: “Whilst we are still working towards the original aim of reducing antisocial behaviour, there is now an added emphasis on reducing serious violent crime, knife crime and retail crime.

“So far, over 2,050 hours of patrols have taken place across hotspot areas, with more than 70% of those patrols involving engagement with local businesses, charities and third-sector organisations.”

Operation Ivydene is currently active in a number of towns, including Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Pembroke in Pembrokeshire, along with Ammanford, Llanelli and Carmarthen in Carmarthenshire, Aberystwyth and Lampeter in Ceredigion, and Newtown and Llandrindod Wells in Powys.

Community engagement forms a key part of the operation. Police say more than 6,300 surveys were carried out during the first year of Operation Ivydene to gather feedback from residents and businesses in hotspot areas.

Inspector Crockford added that the responses had helped officers better understand local concerns and shape patrol activity.

Alongside town centre policing, Roads Policing Units are also increasing patrols over the festive period, with a focus on drink and drug driving.

Police said officers would also be targeting the so-called “Fatal Five” offences – speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, driving without due care, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs – which are the most common causes of fatal and serious collisions.

Dyfed-Powys Police covers more than 8,500 miles of road across the force area. Officers are urging drivers not to feel pressured into risky decisions and to take responsibility for staying safe behind the wheel.

Updates on the winter operation are being shared through Dyfed-Powys Police social media channels and the Dyfed-Powys Connects messaging service.

News

Paul Davies praises work of Pembrokeshire voluntary sector during PAVS visit

Published

34 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MEMBER of the Senedd Paul Davies MS has praised the “vital role” played by the voluntary sector in Pembrokeshire following a visit to PAVS – Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services.

Mr Davies met with Chief Executive Jess Bickerton and members of the PAVS team, who provide support to individuals, volunteers, community groups and charities across the county.

During the visit, the Preseli Pembrokeshire MS was briefed on the wide range of advice, guidance and practical assistance offered by PAVS to help local organisations operate effectively and respond to community needs.

PAVS works closely with voluntary and third-sector groups, supporting everything from governance and funding applications to volunteering and community development, and plays a key role in strengthening local networks across Pembrokeshire.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Davies said the organisation’s work was crucial in helping communities thrive, particularly at a time when many voluntary groups are facing increasing pressures and rising demand for support.

He thanked Ms Bickerton and her colleagues for their work and for the warm welcome, describing their contribution as “invaluable” to communities throughout the county.

PAVS supports hundreds of organisations and volunteers each year and is a central hub for the voluntary and community sector in Pembrokeshire.

News

New OS tideline data could strengthen coastal erosion and flood monitoring

Published

50 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

NEW data released by Ordnance Survey (OS) could significantly improve how coastal erosion and flood risk are monitored across Great Britain as sea levels rise and extreme rainfall becomes more frequent.

The continuous tidelines dataset provides a clearer and more accurate picture of where high and low tides fall around the coast and along tidal rivers. The data is expected to support environmental monitoring, flood modelling, and long-term planning as the impacts of climate change accelerate.

Earlier this year, the Environment Agency updated its National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA), which for the first time factored in projected climate change impacts. The assessment found that around 6.3 million homes and businesses in England — roughly one in five — are currently at risk of flooding. That figure could rise to one in four properties by 2050.

The Agency has also updated its national coastal erosion risk map, which estimates that around 3,500 properties could be affected by coastal erosion by 2055.

The new OS dataset builds on existing information held in the OS National Geographic Database (OS NGD). Previously separate tidal boundary features have now been automatically merged into continuous high- and low-tide lines, creating two new feature types within the OS NGD Water theme. These can also be used as overlay layers through the OS Tiles API, allowing for clearer visual mapping and large-scale analysis.

The data is expected to support a wide range of environmental and regulatory work, including coastal erosion and flooding modelling, updating boundary features to reflect coastal change, climate change impact assessments, and identifying areas of foreshore that act as natural flood defences.

William Russell, Senior Coastal Process Scientist at the Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre, said the dataset would remove uncertainty from coastal monitoring.

“One of our core values is ‘data, not opinions’. When information is missing, we seek out or collect the data needed to support sound decision-making,” he said.
“The OS Continuous Tidal Boundaries dataset removes uncertainty from our strategic monitoring programme and gives us clearer insight into intertidal extents, delivering cost savings and efficiencies for our survey contractors.”

Ordnance Survey says the data is particularly valuable for environmental policy and regulation, including decisions around water discharge and flood management. Accurately defining the intertidal zone helps identify natural coastal defences, which play a vital role in protecting communities and ecosystems.

Intertidal information has also been enhanced within the Land theme of the OS NGD, with improved coverage of previously obscured areas to create a more complete national coastal dataset.

Lily Brown, Product Manager at Ordnance Survey, said the data would support evidence-based decision-making.

“The OS National Geographic Database contains trusted, accurate features that support everything from climate resilience and infrastructure planning to coastal management,” she said.
“By incorporating authoritative tideline data, we are enabling decisions that will help protect and monitor Britain’s evolving coastlines.”

Following the dataset’s release, Ordnance Survey analysed how ceremonial counties change in size between high and low tide. Merseyside showed the greatest variation, with a nearly 17% difference, followed by Orkney at around 7%.

The analysis also highlighted that counties considered landlocked, such as Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire, still experience significant tidal influence due to rivers like the Trent and the Don being tidal far inland.

When combined with Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs), the tideline data shows that Greater London has the highest number of homes and businesses within 15 metres of the high-tide line, at around 5,500. Cornwall ranks second with just over 3,000 properties, followed by Devon with around 2,400.

The new data has been released under the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement (PSGA), which provides emergency services and public sector organisations with access to Ordnance Survey data and services.