Ships, the Ocean, Healthcare and Health

Modern ships sit right at the centre of this connection between ocean health and human health, quietly powering global healthcare. Modern ships move food, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals around the world, making global healthcare possible. Yet shipping also contributes to air pollution, climate change, and ocean damage — all of which directly affect health and place growing pressure on healthcare systems.

How Shipping Supports Global Healthcare

Around 90% of international trade is carried by ship. Container shipping allows hospitals and health services to function by providing reliable access to medicines, surgical equipment, and everyday supplies. Compared with air and road transport, shipping is relatively efficient, moving huge volumes of goods with lower emissions per item. This efficiency is why healthcare depends so heavily on shipping — and why the industry’s environmental footprint matters so much.

Air Pollution from Ships and Human Health

Most large container ships are powered by diesel engines burning heavy fuel oil. These engines release carbon dioxide as well as sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and fine particles. Air pollution from ships is especially concentrated around ports and coastal communities, increasing the risk of heart disease, lung disease, stroke, and other long-term conditions. Globally, air pollution causes millions of deaths each year. In the UK alone, pollution from ship exhaust is estimated to cost around £1.5 billion annually in health impacts. For healthcare systems already under strain, this represents a significant and avoidable burden.

Climate Change, Shipping and Health Risks

Shipping produces over a billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. Some of its emissions also affect how clouds form and how much heat the Earth absorbs. Black carbon released by ships darkens ice in polar regions, accelerating melting and contributing to sea level rise. Efforts to reduce pollution have had mixed results. For example, some cleaner fuels reduce certain pollutants but increase methane emissions — a powerful greenhouse gas. Without careful planning, these trade-offs risk worsening climate-related health threats such as heatwaves, food shortages, and infectious disease.

Ocean Health, Wildlife and Ecosystem Services

Shipping affects the ocean in ways that are less visible but no less important for health. Ship strikes kill whales and other marine mammals, disrupting ecosystems that help regulate the climate. Whales play a vital role in supporting plankton growth, which produces oxygen and removes carbon from the atmosphere. Ships also contribute to water pollution, underwater noise, and the spread of invasive species. These pressures damage marine ecosystems that support fisheries, coastal protection, and food security — all essential to human wellbeing.

Regulation, Responsibility and the High Seas

Much shipping takes place beyond national waters on the ‘high seas’, where regulation and enforcement are more difficult. International rules exist, but gaps in accountability slow progress. As global trade continues to grow, these governance challenges have direct consequences for health and healthcare systems worldwide.

Why Healthcare Should Care About Cleaner Shipping

Healthcare is both affected by shipping pollution and dependent on maritime supply chains. In England, the NHS aims to reach net zero emissions by 2045, with its supply chain accounting for most of its carbon footprint. Shipping emissions are expected to rise without urgent action, threatening climate and health goals. By supporting cleaner ships, low-emission fuels, and more efficient shipping routes, the healthcare sector can help reduce air pollution, limit climate-related illness, and protect its own supply chains.

Actions which can be utilised by the shipping industry to reduce their impact on environmental and human health

Cleaner shipping means cleaner air, a healthier ocean, and more resilient healthcare systems — a clear win for both people and planet.