Tracking and measuring plumes from sailing ships using an unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract Measuring sailing ship plumes provides comprehensive and real‐time emission data. However, accurately tracking and measuring ship plumes still requires research. This study describes a tracking and measurement method of ship plumes using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A UAV ship exhaust measurement system and monitoring process were developed. Data from an automatic identification system (AIS) was used to improve the Gaussian plume diffusion model to facilitate the initial location of the plume on sailing ships. Based on the real‐time gas measurement values obtained by the UAV, the UAV flight method was optimized to accurately track and measure the ship's plume. The Pudong Maritime Safety Administration used this system in 2019 to effectively monitor the plumes of 27 sailing ships as part of maritime law enforcement. Consequently, four cases of excessive fuel sulphur content (FSC) were detected in situ for the first time, indicating that China's maritime authorities can use the technology to supervise and control the FSC of sailing ships.