Challenges and Opportunities for Decarbonizing the Maritime Industry

The maritime industry serves as the foundation for the integrated development of the world economy and the stable operation of the global supply chain. It is estimated that international maritime shipping carries approximately 80% of global trade by volume. In recent years, with the world’s increasing attention to environmental change and sustainable development, decarbonization of the maritime industry has emerged as a prominent research topic. For example, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set ambitious targets for reducing the industry’s carbon footprint, including a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 compared to 2008 levels. It is imperative that the maritime industry complies with IMO regulations and demonstrates a commitment to decarbonization in order to mitigate the sector’s environmental impact and achieve global climate goals. However, there are inevitably some challenges and opportunities in promoting the decarbonization of the maritime industry.

The objective of this research topic is to present novel theories, methodologies, technologies, and applications that facilitate a more decarbonized maritime industry. This research topic aims to address two key research questions: (1) how policy adjustments and technological innovations can effectively meet the challenges of maritime industry decarbonization; and (2) whether governments and the IMO can effectively cope with the emerging challenges associated with the maritime industry decarbonization. Overall, the decarbonization of the maritime industry can be achieved through the following avenues:

• Adjusting policy instruments in the maritime industry (e.g., carbon tax, carbon quota, emission control, carbon trade); and

• Enhancing the technologies of the maritime industry (e.g., zero emission electric vessel development, shore-to-ship electricity, paperless in the maritime industry).

In this research topic, we strongly welcome papers that apply innovative approaches to examine maritime decarbonization policy and practice via operations research methodologies, empirical research, game theory, case study, and theoretical development. We believe that this research topic can provide a platform for researchers and decision makers to gain managerial insights on effective maritime decarbonization practices. To this end, we shall invite original research articles and review articles, including but not limited to the following topics:

• Technology and its application in maritime industry decarbonization

• Maritime industry carbon emission reduction

• Maritime carbon emission governance

• Decarbonization in port and maritime shipping

• Impact of green shipping and digital corridors on maritime industry decarbonization

• Application of emerging technologies for decarbonizing the maritime industry

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Green Shipping, Sustainable Port Performance, Emission Estimation, Maritime Sustainability Policy, Decarbonization

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.