TBFO - Sustainable Strategies

The shipping industry is a cornerstone of global trade and a contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Within this sector, ferries play a crucial role in connecting communities and facilitating regional trade. However, smaller ferries – particularly those under 5,000 gross tonnage (GT) engaged in short sea shipping – often evade stringent regulation despite their environmental impact. This paper conducts a systematic literature review to synthesize existing research on ferry decarbonization. Analysing 46 scholarly works published over the past 12 years, the study highlights a peak in research in the year 2023 and identifies three key research areas: technological innovation, regulatory frameworks and operational strategies coupled with economic considerations. The study also identifies critical gaps, including the need for coordinated policy efforts, the integration of renewable energy sources, and adaptive strategies to balance environmental and economic objectives. The paper contributes to the academic discourse by offering a structured and objective approach to examining this under-researched topic. It also provides practical implications for the industry, bridging the gap between policy goals and real-world outcomes, while offering future research directions for maritime decarbonization.

This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of combining slow steaming with emerging retrofitting solutions for electricity supply onboard to ensure Fast Ferries' compliance with the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII). A case study focused on 10,000 GT ferry operating under short sea shipping conditions analyzes two activity scenarios: outermost regions and remaining zones based on the implementation of European Union Market-Based Measures (EU-MBM). The results identify as the most sustainable solution, green H2 fuel cells, coupled with a 25.3% speed reduction. However, this option leads to a low Internal Rate of Return and high Marginal Abatement Costs, by reducing their appeal from shipowners' standpoint. The analysis also highlights significant inconsistencies in EU-MBM frameworks, particularly with retrofitting projects involving renewable energy and alternative fuels, where excessive subsidies are observed for onshore power solutions. Additionally, Fuel-EU regulations are identified as a key variable impacting the financial viability of retrofitting initiatives. Despite this positive influence, current Fuel-EU policies aggravate inequalities between EU regions, hindering the widespread adoption of emerging decarbonization technologies in remote areas. The study underscores the need for harmonized regulatory frameworks to address these challenges and support sustainable transitions in maritime transport.

Circular logistics is an innovative approach that integrates resource recovery, waste minimization, and the adoption of closed-loop systems to enhance sustainability in port operations. This study aims to evaluate the key factors influencing the adoption of circular logistics strategies in ports, focusing on environmental sustainability, economic performance, and social impact. Using the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method, this research uncovers the causal relationships among evaluation criteria, identifying driving and dependent factors critical to achieving sustainable logistics. A survey was conducted with eight experts in port logistics to collect data on the interdependencies among the evaluation criteria. The results highlight that stakeholder acceptance, return on investment for circular economy activities, and regulatory and institutional support are the most influential factors driving the successful implementation of circular logistics strategies in ports. These findings provide actionable insights for port authorities and policymakers to prioritize strategies, streamline resources, and foster the transition to sustainable port logistics. The study contributes to bridging the research gap by proposing a multidimensional evaluation framework, offering both theoretical and practical implications for circular logistics in ports.