Decarbonizing domestic and short-sea shipping: A systematic review and transdisciplinary pathway for emerging maritime regions
Decarbonizing domestic and short-sea shipping: A systematic review and transdisciplinary pathway for emerging maritime regions
Domestic and short-sea shipping play a crucial role in ensuring food and energy security, employment, and connectivity in Small Island Developing States (SIDSs) and Least De-veloped Countries (LDCs). Despite accounting for up to 26.2% of global maritime emis-sions by voyage activity, these sectors remain underrepresented in policy and academic discussions on greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. This study presents a structured and transdisciplinary assessment of decarbonization pathways tailored to the unique opera-tional characteristics of domestic fleets. It reviews key operational, technical, and port-based strategies, identifying both opportunities and challenges in the transition to zero-emission shipping. Highlighted measures include the adoption of carbon-neutral fuels, advanced energy-efficiency technologies, and optimized vessel design. The paper empha-sizes the pivotal role of ports as clean energy hubs and advocates for integrating domestic shipping into National Action Plans and Nationally Determined Contributions. Coordi-nated stakeholder engagement, targeted public investment, and supportive regulatory frameworks are essential to unlock decarbonization potential—contributing not only to climate mitigation, but also to sustainable development and energy resilience in emerging maritime regions.
domestic shipping, energy efficiency, marine alternative fuels, maritime decarbonization, short-sea shipping, zero net zero technologies
Vakili, Seyedvahid
87fcd634-ca9f-466c-93b4-0432809e5287
Insel, Mustafa
b1c107e5-436b-4ce9-87f7-d63f348ef947
Singh, Sukhjit
f954f1fc-b42f-4238-abba-eb1d7d3e9dec
Ölçer, Aykut
4122c538-14ba-4d35-980c-42cdb39d27af
12 August 2025
Vakili, Seyedvahid
87fcd634-ca9f-466c-93b4-0432809e5287
Insel, Mustafa
b1c107e5-436b-4ce9-87f7-d63f348ef947
Singh, Sukhjit
f954f1fc-b42f-4238-abba-eb1d7d3e9dec
Ölçer, Aykut
4122c538-14ba-4d35-980c-42cdb39d27af
Vakili, Seyedvahid, Insel, Mustafa, Singh, Sukhjit and Ölçer, Aykut
(2025)
Decarbonizing domestic and short-sea shipping: A systematic review and transdisciplinary pathway for emerging maritime regions.
Sustainability, 17 (16), [7294].
(doi:10.3390/su17167294).
Abstract
Domestic and short-sea shipping play a crucial role in ensuring food and energy security, employment, and connectivity in Small Island Developing States (SIDSs) and Least De-veloped Countries (LDCs). Despite accounting for up to 26.2% of global maritime emis-sions by voyage activity, these sectors remain underrepresented in policy and academic discussions on greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. This study presents a structured and transdisciplinary assessment of decarbonization pathways tailored to the unique opera-tional characteristics of domestic fleets. It reviews key operational, technical, and port-based strategies, identifying both opportunities and challenges in the transition to zero-emission shipping. Highlighted measures include the adoption of carbon-neutral fuels, advanced energy-efficiency technologies, and optimized vessel design. The paper empha-sizes the pivotal role of ports as clean energy hubs and advocates for integrating domestic shipping into National Action Plans and Nationally Determined Contributions. Coordi-nated stakeholder engagement, targeted public investment, and supportive regulatory frameworks are essential to unlock decarbonization potential—contributing not only to climate mitigation, but also to sustainable development and energy resilience in emerging maritime regions.
Text
sustainability-17-07294-v2
- Version of Record
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Accepted/In Press date: 3 August 2025
Published date: 12 August 2025
Keywords:
domestic shipping, energy efficiency, marine alternative fuels, maritime decarbonization, short-sea shipping, zero net zero technologies
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 503912
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/503912
ISSN: 2071-1050
PURE UUID: e99f9ae0-f328-4049-8740-74571483664b
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Date deposited: 18 Aug 2025 16:38
Last modified: 15 Oct 2025 02:10
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Contributors
Author:
Seyedvahid Vakili
Author:
Mustafa Insel
Author:
Sukhjit Singh
Author:
Aykut Ölçer
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