WBFI - Energy Efficiency for Maritime and Ports

In the last decades, there has been intensified pressure to align with international decarbonization targets, such as IMO's strategies targeting net-zero GHG emissions. A leading example of this transition is the Baltic Sea region, which stands out for its proactive efforts in clean shipping and port driven by stringent environmental regulations and innovative practices. To mitigate the challenges and drivers of selected ports' decarbonization, firstly, content analysis method is applied to determine the challenges and drivers based on the annual reports and official webpages of Central Baltic Ports. This paper aims to perform PESTLE analysis of the Central Baltic Sea Region ports within energy saving and renewable energy lenses to assess the driving forces and challenges in implementing these strategies and to generate actionable recommendations. The analysis showed that green transformation of the ports was driven by EU zero-emission policies, funding opportunities, and technological advancements, but faced challenges such as geopolitical tensions and financial constraints. The study is to assist both researchers and industry practitioners requiring a balanced approach to address the political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental aspects.

The maritime industry faces increasing pressure to decarbonize due to stringent environmental regulations such as the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, EU ETS penalty and the IMO's Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating system. This study examines three compliance strategies for a tanker vessel over a 20-year operational period: (a) continued use of fossil fuels with penalties, (b) adoption of different biofuel blends, and (c) implementation of technical efficiency measures. The research quantifies financial costs, environmental impacts, and the long-term effects on vessel compliance. A comparative analysis of these scenarios highlights trade-offs between immediate financial penalties, investments in alternative fuels, and financial implications in case of technological upgrades. Results provide actionable insights into the economic and environmental feasibility of each strategy, aiding stakeholders in navigating compliance while balancing sustainability goals.

We propose a localized carbon footprint estimation method using high-frequency AIS vessel trajectory data and GIS-based movement analytics. Because maritime transport powers global trade, carbon emissions from fuel consumption are a major climate concern. As greenhouse gas reduction gains urgency, researchers are developing tools to measure vessel emissions and assess regulation for decarbonization. A common approach uses an origin-destination average speed to estimate total voyage emissions. However, this can be inaccurate, ignoring speed zones and dynamic changes shaped by local conditions. Our method employs GIS-based analytics to capture varying speeds and localized emission intensities, providing higher accuracy. We also geovisualize emission "hot spots" along routes where speeds accelerate or decelerate. Using Danish AIS data, our experiments show up to a 30.5% difference from origin-destination average speed estimates. For instance, containerships exhibit notable speed and emission shifts around route changes, port entries, and narrow passages. Identifying areas with large speed variations can inform strategies such as speed reduction or emission control zones. This supports the International Maritime Organization's 2050 net-zero goal and advances sustainable development in the shipping industry.