Shipping in the north-east Atlantic: Identifying spatial and temporal patterns of change

Maritime traffic is increasing globally, with a four-fold increase in commercial vessel movements between 1992 and 2012. Vessels contribute to noise and air pollution, provide pathways for non-native species, and collide with marine wildlife. While knowledge of shipping trends and potential environmental impacts exists at both local and global levels, key information on vessel density for regional-scale management is lacking. This study presents the first in-depth spatio-temporal analysis of shipping in the north-east Atlantic region, over three years in a five-year period. Densities increased by 34%, including in 73% of Marine Protected Areas. Western Scotland and the Bay of Biscay experienced the largest increases in vessel density, predominantly from small and slow vessels. Given well-documented impacts that shipping can have on the marine environment, it is crucial that this situation continues to be monitored – particularly in areas designated to protect vulnerable species and ecosystems which may already be under pressure.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113681
• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X22003630
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0025326
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2022 James R. Robbins et al. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Robbins, James R
  • Bouchet, Phil J
  • Miller, David L
  • Evans, Peter G H
  • Waggitt, James
  • Ford, Alex T
  • Marley, Sarah A
• Publication Date: 2022-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 113681
• Serial:
  • Marine Pollution Bulletin
  • Volume: 179
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0025-326
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0025326X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Conservation; Environmental impacts; Shipping; Spatial analysis; Time series analysis; Traffic volume; Water traffic
• Geographic Terms: Northeast Atlantic Ocean
• Subject Areas: Environment; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01848035
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 6 2022 4:54PM