Environmental protection on the ocean has been interested and nowadays the International Maritime Organization(IMO) has advanced on the prevention of air pollution from ships. This study presents the emission characteristics of 4 stroke marine diesel engines in E3 cycle (propulsion application) and D2 cycle (generation application). Also the effects of important operating parameters in terms of intake air pressure and temperature, and maximum combustion pressure on the specific emissions are described. Emissions measurement and calculation are processed according to IMO Technical Code. The results show that NOx emission level in E3 cycle is higher than that in D2 cycle due to lower engine speed at low load and the maximum combustion pressure by fuel injection timing control and intake air temperature has strong influence on NOx emission production. And CO, HC emissions are not affected by maximum combustion pressure and intake air pressure and temperature.