Strategic Pathways to Alternative Marine Fuels: Empirical Evidence from Shipping Practices in South Korea

Jeongmin Lee, Minseop Sim, Yulseong Kim and Changhee Lee ()
Additional contact information
Jeongmin Lee: Department of Convergence Interdisciplinary Education of Maritime & Ocean Contents (Logistics System), Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 49112, Republic of Korea
Minseop Sim: Department of Convergence Interdisciplinary Education of Maritime & Ocean Contents (Logistics System), Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 49112, Republic of Korea
Yulseong Kim: Department of Logistics, College of Engineering, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 49112, Republic of Korea
Changhee Lee: Division of Navigation Convergence Studies, College of Maritime Sciences, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 49112, Republic of Korea

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 6, 1-19

Abstract: This study investigates the transition to a sustainable shipping industry within the framework of the IMO’s 2050 carbon neutrality objective, focusing on sociotechnical systems analysis. This research delves into the sustainable paradigm shift towards alternative marine fuels, such as LNG, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen, from a sociotechnical transition perspective, analyzing the multilevel perspective challenges and opportunities. Specifically, it scrutinizes the implications of adopting these alternative fuels for global shipping, identifying technical uncertainties, financial constraints, and infrastructure needs. Through a comprehensive review of the existing literature on ship emissions and alternative fuels, coupled with sociotechnical transition theory, this study addresses the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in meeting the IMO’s environmental objectives. It emphasizes the necessity of collaborative governance, innovative niche strategies, and a holistic approach to leverage the current window of opportunity in facilitating the maritime industry’s transition to sustainable fuel options. Finally, this research enhances our understanding of the intricate interplay between technological, social, industrial, and cultural dynamics in the greening of shipping, and offers insights into the strategic adoption of environmentally friendly marine fuels for a sustainable future.

Keywords: green shipping; IMO 2050; alternative marine fuels; sociotechnical systems analysis; sustainable future (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/6/2412/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/6/2412/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:6:p:2412-:d:1356855

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().