Depending on the type of fuels used by ships in maritime port operations, emissions may contribute more or less to the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The maneuvering of ships at maritime ports uses mainly auxiliary engines, resulting in a significant contribution to emissions. It is understandable that the energy transition in this sector brings benefits and is essential to sustainability, considering its economic and strategic importance. Among the measures established to ensure this transition is the onshore power supply and increased electrification in transportation operations. Maritime ports are not yet prepared for these adjustments, as their heterogeneity and contexts require further research, such as studying the impact of depth on energy consumption, terminal type, and others. The purpose of this paper is to quantify the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions achievable through the implementation of an onshore power supply at the Port of Sines, Portugal. Furthermore, it aims to identify the key factors influencing these adoptions to provide practical recommendations that can guide in advancing energy transition, reducing reliance on fuels, and fostering a sustainable future for the port industry.

Calculating the energy consumption and carbon footprint is essential for maritime industry sustainability, driving informed decisions and innovation. This study assesses the energy consumption and carbon footprint of the Port of Sines in Portugal to support its decarbonization and energy transition, based on the scopes defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The proposed calculation model is detailed using different data sources for the 2018–2022 period. For each terminal, the monthly and annual energy consumption and carbon footprint are calculated, considering land and maritime activities into the port jurisdiction area. The results show that more than 99% of the port’s total energy consumption and carbon footprint are due to the operations and activities of the different terminals. On average, the Port of Sines consumes 422,378.45 MWh/year and has a carbon footprint of 224.63185 tCO₂eq/year. The analysis reveals a non-linear relationship between energy and carbon footprint, due to the different port activities, emphasizing the need for tailored decarbonization strategies for each terminal.

This study focuses on an analysis of the dwell time of vessels in the Port of Sines jurisdiction area, between 2010 and 2023, as an indicator of operational efficiency, with the objective of analyzing the temporal patterns of vessel movements at the Port of Sines, aiming to understand how efficient the operations are. This research will enable the extraction of meaningful patterns from temporal data and the addressing of potential bottlenecks, enabling smother operations and optimized performance. A total of 157,515 records of vessel movements were analyzed using statistical modeling in Python (version 3.11.8). The overall average dwell time calculated for these 13 years was 0.55 days, for a medium number of port calls per year of 2199. This result highlights the operational efficiency of the Port of Sines, although the variability between the different terminals remains significant. The Multipurpose Terminal registered the longest dwell time (1.08 days), especially due to the diversity of cargo handled. In contrast, the Container Terminal had an average dwell time of 0.38 days. Anchoring frequency has emerged as critical for optimization. The implementation of just-in-time principles is proposed as a strategy to reduce anchorage times, enhance coordination and collaboration within the operational chain, and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Notwithstanding the efficiency attained at the Port of Sines, this study suggests that further enhancement of its operational efficiency is feasible and desirable. This would contribute to the sustainability agenda and reinforce the port’s position in the global trade landscape.

This study focuses on the analysis of the dwell time of vessels at the Port of Sines jurisdiction ar-ea, between 2010 and 2023, as an indicator of operational efficiency. A total of 157,515 records of vessel movements were analysed, using statistical modelling in Python. The overall average dwell time calculated for these 13 years was 0.55 days, for a medium number of port calls per year of 2199. This result highlights the operational efficiency of the Port of Sines, although the variability between the different terminals remains significant. The Multipurpose terminal regis-tered the longest dwell time (1.08 days), especially due to the diversity of cargo handled. In con-trast, the Container terminal had an average dwell time of 0.38 days. The anchoring frequency has emerged as critical for optimization. The implementation of the Just-in-Time principles is proposed as a strategy to reduce anchorage times, enhance coordination and collaboration within the operational chain, and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Notwithstanding the effi-ciency attained by the Port of Sines, this study suggests that further enhancement of its opera-tional efficiency is feasible and desirable. This would contribute to the sustainability agenda and reinforce the port's position in the global trade landscape.

The maritime transport sector is vital for global trade, yet it continues to be a significant source of air pollution in port cities due to its reliance on fossil fuels. This review summarizes empirical and epidemiological evidence on the emissions of Heavy Fuel Oil and transitional alternatives, such as Liquefied Natural Gas, with a focus on their contribution to local concentrations. Shipping-related emissions account for a substantial proportion of air pollution across multiple coastal urban regions, particularly during maneuvering and hoteling operations. The reviewed studies consistently associate these emissions with an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity and premature mortality among populations living near ports. While sulphur-focused regulations, notably IMO 2020, have achieved significant reductions in SO₂ emissions, the literature indicates that nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter remain largely unmitigated. This review concludes that existing regulatory frameworks only partially address the health-related externalities of maritime transport. To address this market failure, the review argues for an integrated policy approach that combines market-based measures with port-level incentives and operational controls to reduce emissions at berth, thereby aligning shipping practices with public health objectives and the sustainable development goals.