United Kingdom — March 2026
Ports and regulators may soon gain near real-time visibility into shipping emissions, as a new system begins to map how pollution moves across coastal waters. The development comes as pressure builds globally to improve monitoring and accountability in maritime decarbonisation.
Developed by Ocean OS, the system—known as Environmental Maritime Modelling and Analytics (EMMA)—combines satellite data and sensor inputs to track the sources and movement of emissions across maritime environments.
The technology has been tested over the past six months in Plymouth Sound, with a focus on understanding how shipping-related emissions impact air and water quality.
Testing and collaboration across UK maritime ecosystem
The project brings together Ocean OS, B4T Group, the University of Plymouth, and Satellite Applications Catapult, with funding support from the UK Department for Transport through Innovate UK.
According to the announcement, EMMA integrates multiple data sources to generate detailed visualisations of pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide, and how they disperse across coastal regions.
The system is designed to help ports, regulators, and local authorities identify emission sources more precisely and assess their environmental impact. This includes distinguishing between locally generated emissions and pollution originating from external maritime traffic.
Ocean OS said the next phase will focus on expanding deployment across additional coastal areas, with the longer-term objective of supporting implementation across the UK’s major ports.
Supporting regulatory and operational decision-making
The platform is expected to support policy and operational decisions aimed at reducing maritime emissions. Initial applications are focused on government and regulatory use, although commercial use cases may emerge over time.
More granular emissions data could support compliance with tightening environmental regulations and help port operators evaluate mitigation strategies, including traffic management and infrastructure investments.
Industry stakeholders have also highlighted the potential for improved transparency in emissions reporting, particularly as regulatory scrutiny on shipping intensifies.
Growing focus on maritime decarbonisation and monitoring
The launch comes amid wider efforts to reduce emissions from the shipping sector, which accounts for roughly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Ports and regulators are increasing investments in monitoring technologies to support decarbonisation strategies, including shore power, alternative fuels, and digital tracking systems.
Systems such as EMMA reflect a broader shift towards data-driven environmental management across maritime supply chains.
Digital Trade Outlook’s View: Shipping Emissions
Digital Trade Outlook Analysis
Emissions tracking is becoming a critical layer in maritime decarbonisation, particularly as regulators demand greater transparency and accountability. Systems that offer real-time visibility could reshape how ports manage compliance, optimise operations, and position themselves within low-carbon trade corridors.
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