Sulfur-Sniffing Drone to Patrol Danish Waters

In the coming months, a large drone will check emissions from ships in Danish waters to make sure they comply with sulfur emissions limits. 

The drone is being provided by the European Maritime Safety Agency and is fitted with a so-called "sniffer” capable of measuring sulfur emissions. Entering the ship's exhaust gas plume, the drone can register the amount of sulfur in the fuel. The data are immediately available to Danish authorities who can follow up if a ship does not comply with the requirements.

The project will contribute to a more efficient enforcement of the sulfur rules, thereby ensuring fair competition for shipping companies and less pollution from ships, says the Danish Maritime Authority.

The drone will operate in an area north of The Great Belt where many large tankers sail to and from the Baltic Sea.