Kåre Press-Kristensen: “Cruise ships and ferries in Piraeus could be powered by the sun, without any pollution”

We met Mr. Kåre Press-Kristensen in 2023 when he participated as a Senior Advisor for the non-profit environmental organization Green Transition Denmark in air pollution measurements conducted in Piraeus.

In November 2023, during the symposium “Air Pollution in Piraeus and Mediterranean Port Cities”—held in Piraeus as part of LIFE4MEDECA, a European LIFE project aimed at designating the Mediterranean Sea as an Emission Control Area (ECA) to mitigate the harmful effects of shipping on public health and climate—Press-Kristensen presented the findings of these measurements. The research was conducted on the initiative of the Piraeus Environmental Observatory (EPO), of which Professor Emeritus Vassilis Tselentis of the University of Piraeus is a member.

Since January 2024, the EPO has also launched a BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes) monitoring program in neighboring municipalities, such as Drapetsona, with the expectation of gathering crucial data on air pollution.

The findings paint an alarming picture of the quality of life for Piraeus residents. While the World Health Organization (WHO) sets the annual nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) limit at 10 µg/m³, and the European Union’s limit is 40 µg/m³, measurements taken around the Port of Piraeus in July 2023 ranged from 78.3 to 91.7 µg/m³.

For this interview, we met with Mr. Press-Kristensen—now Senior Advisor for Air Quality & Climate at the non-profit organization Green Global Future—in both Athens and Copenhagen. Our discussion covered the initial and most recent pollution measurements, as well as the urgent steps needed to address the dire air pollution crisis in the port of Piraeus.

– You recently joined a new non-profit organization, Green Global Future. What are its goals, and what are your responsibilities in your new role?

Green Global Future operates on a much more international scale. My previous organization, Green Transition Denmark, primarily focused on Denmark and, to some extent, the European Union. In contrast, Green Global Future is a global organization. Although its headquarters are in Denmark, it is not a Danish organization but an international one. In fact, six out of eight board members are non-Danish, representing countries such as the Czech Republic, Italy, Iceland, China, and Belgium.

Our focus on the global level is particularly important when it comes to the Mediterranean. My work is no longer limited to Denmark or even Europe—I now have the opportunity to engage with North African countries, helping them ratify international conventions. This broader perspective is crucial for the Mediterranean, where Africa and Europe intersect. To achieve real progress, we must extend our efforts beyond Europe and work on a truly international scale.

– Even though we have already read your conclusions about Piraeus, we would like to ask you again: Do the results of your measurements confirm that the health of Piraeus’ inhabitants is seriously threatened by air pollution?

Yes, definitely. With the air pollution levels we see in Piraeus, a significant portion of the population will, unfortunately, either fall ill or die due to air pollution. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), around 13% of all deaths in Greece are already linked to air pollution. This was the agency’s conclusion in 2020.

Of course, ships are not present across all of Greece, but in port cities, pollution levels are extremely high—and that is exactly what we have found in Piraeus. Between 15% and 20% of deaths in Piraeus can be linked to air pollution in one way or another. Not all of this is caused by shipping; other sources, such as traffic, also contribute. But the reality is that people in Piraeus—unfortunately—are getting sick and even dying from air pollution.

Greece has been a great shipping nation since ancient times. But back then, ships relied on sails, not fossil fuels. Today, they are a major source of pollution. Given Greece’s many islands, ferry traffic is heavy, and cruise liners frequently visit its ports. Tourism and maritime trade should be a blessing, not a curse.

© Alexandr Krushlinsky/BirdLife Malta

– So, what should Greece do to control air pollution caused by shipping?

What your country really needs to do is connect the Port of Piraeus to shore power. The residents of Piraeus are truly suffering. We became fully aware of this when we measured air pollution inside their homes.

I was there last year, as you know, conducting these measurements. It was summer, the temperatures were extremely high, and people opened their windows to let in some fresh air. But when cruise liners are docked right next to your home, their chimney smoke—rising to the same height as the apartment buildings—seeps inside. As a result, residents end up breathing in toxic fumes. Families live there, with young children, and this kind of exposure is catastrophic for their health.

– Do you believe that ship owners and the Piraeus Port Authority (PPA) are responsible for the air pollution in Piraeus?

The Greek state should support shipowners in addressing this issue. Shore power can significantly reduce pollution—almost eliminating it. Of course, it requires a major investment since it demands large amounts of electricity.

However, Greece is fortunate to be one of the sunniest countries in Europe. Cruise ships remain in port during the day and sail at night. From my perspective, Greece should attract substantial investments in large-scale solar panel farms. The electricity generated could be integrated into the grid and supplied directly to the port. This way, shore power could be provided for cruise liners, and ferries should also be connected to the system.

– Have you implemented something similar in Denmark? 

Absolutely. In Denmark, ports generate revenue from shore power. In port cities like Aarhus, for example, we have established shore power infrastructure. If a ship chooses not to use shore power, it faces an additional port fee of €10,000 per day.

It’s a smart investment. If you build a new road, there’s no direct profit. But if you invest in shore power, you can sell electricity and generate revenue. The challenge lies in creating a system that can support such an investment. 

– How could this be done?

In Northern Europe, private companies invest in shore power. In Piraeus, the PPA should ideally take the lead. If the PPA cannot fund the project, private investors would be necessary. Additionally, solar power infrastructure should be developed to supply the needed electricity.

Regardless, by 2030, EU regulations will make shore power mandatory in Piraeus. Investing now is a far better option. If the PPA waits until the last minute, the cost of implementing the system will be significantly higher. And think about the impact—cruise ships and ferries in Piraeus could be powered by the sun, without any pollution.

-Mr Press-Kristensen what are your future plans? 

In January 2024, we began air pollution measurements in Piraeus, and we plan to continue until the end of the year. We need a full annual dataset to assess the average pollution levels. If the results show violations of the legal limits, this could be the first step towards legal action against Greece for failing to meet air quality standards.

– A lawsuit against the Greek state?

Yes. We will report our findings to the European Union. Once EU authorities are informed that Greece is violating air quality standards, they will take appropriate action.

My hope is that Greek politicians will finally acknowledge the severe risks facing the residents of Piraeus. This situation is not just an environmental crisis—it comes at a significant cost.

– What kind of cost?

Let’s be realistic. The health costs associated with air pollution far exceed 5% of the Gross National Product (GNP). In Greece, around 13% of all deaths are linked to air pollution. The European Environment Agency has thoroughly documented this issue.

Our role is to highlight the problem, conduct measurements, present the findings to the European Commission, and push Greek politicians to take action. The goal should be to reduce—if not eliminate—air pollution in Piraeus.