A Conceptual Framework for Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships to Advance the Construction and Implementation of Green Shipping Corridors

To effectively leverage the role of green shipping corridors (GSCs) in promoting greenhouse gas emissions reduction in international shipping, this paper firstly examined the current status and challenges faced by GSCs with the aim of providing valuable solutions for future development. Then, a conceptual framework of multi-stakeholder partnerships (MSPs) for the international maritime industry that enables the construction and implementation of GSCs was proposed. Additionally, the inherent correlation mechanism between the “feasibility wall” of GSCs and the core elements as well as key principles in the MSP framework was also explored. The findings indicate that the GSC initiatives at the global, regional and local levels are advancing rapidly, yet very few have been truly implemented and effectively operationalized, with the fundamental cause lying in the lack of effective theoretical guidance and research support; based on the theory, mechanism and framework of MSPs, the existing GSCs are found to still have considerable deficiencies in partnership building, roles and responsibilities, governance structure, funding and resource support, as well as monitoring and accountability. Concept validation through case studies demonstrates that the conceptual framework proposed in this paper can serve as a practical diagnostic tool for GSC initiatives, which can help to identify the specific stage they are failing at and apply targeted principles to fix it. This paper is expected to contribute to a more effective advancement of the development of GSCs, thereby actively facilitating the achievement of net-zero emission targets for international shipping.