loading page

Shifts in maritime trade routes as a result of Red Sea Shipping Crisis detected in TROPOMI NO2 data
  • +3
  • Andreas Pseftogkas,
  • Trissevgeni Stavrakou,
  • Jean-François Müller,
  • Maria Elissavet Koukouli,
  • Dimitrios Balis,
  • Charikleia Meleti
Andreas Pseftogkas
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Trissevgeni Stavrakou
Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy
Author Profile
Jean-François Müller
Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB)
Author Profile
Maria Elissavet Koukouli
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Author Profile
Dimitrios Balis
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Author Profile
Charikleia Meleti
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Author Profile

Abstract

Observations from space-borne spectrometers have been lately used to quantify shipping emissions of nitrogen oxides (ΝΟΧ). Here we present a method that enhances the shipping signal of NO2 TROPOspheric MOnitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) satellite sensor observations in order to assess the impact of the Red Sea ship attacks on NO2 levels in three important shipping routes along the Red Sea, the Cape of Good Hope, and the Gibraltar Strait. Major shipping carriers, sailing usually via the Red Sea, have responded to the attacks by transiting their fleet around the African continent. The shipping signal from TROPOMI declines by ~50% in the Red Sea and ~10% in the Gibraltar Strait while an increase of ~40% is found off the South African coast between January-March 2024 and the same period in 2023. These changes correlate well with vessel statistics, demonstrating the ability to track abrupt changes in NO2 shipping levels with satellite measurements.