Assessment of potentially cutting GHG emissions from shipping in relation to energy consumption trends using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process

ABSTRACT

Maritime shipping is one of the most important activities of the global economy, with outstanding advantages in terms of volume and distance. According to projections by the International Transport Forum, Global demand for marine transportation is expected to grow dramatically over the next three decades. Along with that, maritime activities emit large amounts of greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions, causing negative impacts on the environment. Energy consumption trends (ECT) are formed by the application of potential emission reduction solutions such as technical improvement, use of alternative fuels, efficient and economical use of fuel and optimal vessel operation. However, ECT is, an issue related to various criteria to be assessed. The goal of this study is to make science assessment of ECT which can be developed national ship emission reduction strategy. Availability of energy supply and use, emission reduction potential, economic efficiency were simultaneously considered to evaluating ECT to cut GHG emission from shipping by using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process combined with opinions of 46 experts. The results show that hydrogen fuel ranks highest in ECT as the future fuel of the maritime industry. The findings of this study are expected as an important platform to develop national ship emission reduction strategy planning.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Vietnam Maritime University, Maritime Administration and Coastguard Agency, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Energy, Shipping companies and associations, Shipyards, shipbuilders, Research institutes; Port authority, Marine fuels suppliers, and International technology developers and marine equipment suppliers for providing data used in this article. Furthermore, the authors would like to thank the reviewers for providing reviews which enhanced this paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Quang Viet Dang

Dang Quang Viet graduated as an Engineer in Marine Navigation and Master of Science in Maritime Safety in 2007, 2012 from Vietnam Maritime University, respectively. Since 2007, he has been with Vietnam Maritime University. His research interests include Maritime Environmental Science, Oil and HNS pollution, and Ship Navigation.

Minh Duc Nguyen

Nguyen Minh Duc is a full-time Associate Professor of Vietnam Maritime University where from he graduated as an engineer of navigation. He received PhD degree from Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology in 2012 and has been working as lecturer and researcher since then. His researches focus on navigation and logistics system automation and optimisation.

Phan Van Hung

Phan Van Hung graduated as an Engineer in Marine Navigation and M. Eng. Of Science in Navigation in 2010, 2013 from Vietnam Maritime University, respectively. He received a Degree of Doctor of Engineering in Maritime Safety System Engineering from the Mokpo National Maritime University, South Korea. Since 2010, he has been with Vietnam Maritime University. His research interests include Maritime Environmental Science, Oil and HNS pollution, and Ship Navigation science.