Residents of marseille are increasingly concerned about air pollution from the ferries and cruise ships that frequent the port.While the port authority says it is committed to minimizing environmental risks, locals remain skeptical.

Marie Prost-Coletta, a resident of the L’Estaque neighborhood, recounts her experiences: “At one time, I picked up carbon soot up to the edge of the window. There was so much sulfur in the swimming pool that there was a quantity of small black dots. it was our daily life.” L’Estaque, known for inspiring artists like Cézanne and Renoir, now faces a less picturesque reality due to the heavy maritime traffic, including ferries to Corsica and the Maghreb, as well as a growing number of cruise ships.

Marie Prost-Coletta, vice-president of the association CAP AU NORD, filed a complaint in 2023 alleging endangerment of life due to port activities. The complaint highlights concerns that the ships generate fine particles and other pollutants harmful to human health. The port’s activity,while central to Marseille’s identity,is now a source of tension.

Efforts to Change Regulations

“We have a pressure from the populations around the port…And the big subject, by far, is air pollution.”

An anonymous source working near the port reported observing thick smoke emanating from a Corsica Linea ferry for three weeks while it was docked.The maritime company responded that it was merely water vapor.

Hervé Martel, Chairman of the Management Board of the Grand Maritime port of Marseille, acknowledges the public pressure: “We have a pressure from the populations around the port.It calls into question the acceptance of the activity itself,which nevertheless brings a lot of valuation to the territory. And the big subject, by far, is air pollution.” Ships have been using “scrubbers” to reduce emissions, but the issue persists as ships continue to run their engines while docked to power onboard systems. In 2024, ferry stops averaged 10 hours, while cruise ship stops averaged slightly less.

European regulations mandate that by 2030, all container ships and passenger transport vessels must use shore power. The port of Marseille is working to install the necessary infrastructure. Hervé Martel notes, “For Corsica, today, 80% of the platforms are equipped, and 60% are able to connect. For the Maghreb, 80% are equipped and 25% are able to connect… By the end of 2025, 75% of ships for the Maghreb will be equipped.”

Shore Power Implementation

The port of Marseille plans to invest 170 million euros, with support from various governmental bodies, to equip all platforms with shore power connections by 2028, ahead of the European deadline. This would make it one of the first twenty ports worldwide to adopt this technology. Tests are planned for late 2025 to allow simultaneous connection of two cruise ships.

According to a study by Atmosud, while nitrogen oxide emissions from road transport in Marseille decreased by half between 2012 and 2022, emissions from maritime transport have increased. Damien Piga, director of external relations at Atmosud, states, “There is an increase of around 17%.” In 2022, maritime transport accounted for 52.87% of nitrogen oxide emissions in Marseille, compared to 31.2% for road transport.