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Decarbonization of Maritime Transport: Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Author

Listed:
  • Harilaos N. Psaraftis

    (Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark)

  • Christos A. Kontovas

    (Offshore and Marine Research Institute (LOOM), Maritime and Mechanical Engineering—School of Engineering and Liverpool Logistics, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to assess the status and prospects of the decarbonization of maritime transport. Already more than two years have passed since the landmark decision of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in April 2018, which entailed ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. The paper attempts to address the following three questions: (a) where do we stand with respect to GHG emissions from ships, (b) how is the Initial IMO Strategy progressing, and (c) what should be done to move ahead? To that effect, our methodology includes commenting on some of the key issues addressed by the recently released 4th IMO GHG study, assessing progress at the IMO since 2018, and finally identifying other issues that we consider relevant and important as regards maritime GHG emissions, such as for instance the role of the European Green Deal and how this may interact with the IMO process. Even though the approach of the paper is to a significant extent qualitative, some key quantitative and modelling aspects are considered as well. On the basis of our analysis, our main conjecture is that there is not yet light at the end of the tunnel with respect to decarbonizing maritime transport.

Suggested Citation

  • Harilaos N. Psaraftis & Christos A. Kontovas, 2020. "Decarbonization of Maritime Transport: Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2020:i:1:p:237-:d:470073
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Harilaos N. Psaraftis & Christos A. Kontovas, 2020. "Influence and transparency at the IMO: the name of the game," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 22(2), pages 151-172, June.
    2. Dong Yang & Lingxiao Wu & Shuaian Wang & Haiying Jia & Kevin X. Li, 2019. "How big data enriches maritime research – a critical review of Automatic Identification System (AIS) data applications," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(6), pages 755-773, November.
    3. Sotiria Lagouvardou & Harilaos N. Psaraftis & Thalis Zis, 2020. "A Literature Survey on Market-Based Measures for the Decarbonization of Shipping," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-23, May.
    4. George Panagakos & Thiago de Sousa Pessôa & Nick Dessypris & Michael Bruhn Barfod & Harilaos N. Psaraftis, 2019. "Monitoring the Carbon Footprint of Dry Bulk Shipping in the EU: An Early Assessment of the MRV Regulation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-19, September.
    5. Harilaos N. Psaraftis, 2019. "Decarbonization of maritime transport: to be or not to be?," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 21(3), pages 353-371, September.
    6. Harilaos N. Psaraftis, 2019. "Speed optimization versus speed reduction: Are speed limits better than a bunker levy?," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 21(4), pages 524-542, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Suneet Singh & Ashish Dwivedi & Saurabh Pratap, 2023. "Sustainable Maritime Freight Transportation: Current Status and Future Directions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-23, April.
    2. Paula Pereda & Andrea Lucchesi & Thais Diniz & Rayan Wolf, 2023. "Carbon Tax in the Shipping Sector: Assessing Economic and Environmental Impacts," Working Papers, Department of Economics 2023_04, University of São Paulo (FEA-USP).

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