As the focus on climate action and sustainable development of the shipping industry intensifies, the maritime sector has intensified its focus on decarbonization. Although the ferry sector accounts for a small part of the global fleet, it plays a crucial role in specific regions. This study examines data from an energy monitoring system installed on a double-ended Estonian ferry over the period from 2022 to 2024. The empirical results clearly show that targeted adjustments can lead to substantial fuel consumption reductions as the optimal operation of the vessel requires equal power from the aft and fore engines particularly when operating under cold or icy conditions. Additionally, the research finds that real-time energy monitoring together with integrating environmental factors supports energy efficiency and fulfilling regulatory requirements. The analysis reveals that environmental corrections and balanced decision-making can generate fuel savings and extended emission reductions. The suggested framework offers ferry operators practical and economical ways of meeting sustainability requirements.

The sustainability of the maritime industry relies on the effective implementation of global regulations, a task primarily managed by nation-states within the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This paper investigates the barriers to implementing international maritime regulations, centering on the IMO’s role in supporting member states, focusing on three themes: people, patterns, and particularities. Survey and interview data from maritime stakeholders identified key challenges: insufficient personnel training, financial limitations, and state interest in maritime affairs. These findings highlight the importance of skilled personnel, the need for adaptable processes amid resource constraints, and the unique challenges faced by states due to their political and regulatory differences. This paper further examines the IMO’s initiatives to support compliance, including technical guidance, capacity-building, and funding. However, issues persist, especially with enforcement and industry resistance to regulatory changes. This study suggests that enhanced regional monitoring, mandatory reporting, and greater involvement of non-state actors could improve compliance. It emphasizes the importance of targeted resource allocation to address the unique needs of individual states. This study also provides valuable insights into the challenges of maritime regulation implementation and highlights the indispensable role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in facilitating implementation efforts.

Ports in the Baltic Sea region play an integral role in advancing sustainable maritime practices in the area, due to their geographic interconnectedness, economic importance, and sensitivity to environmental challenges. While numerous port sustainability assessment methods exist, most of which are grounded in the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) metric, many tend to emphasise whether specific targets have been met, rather than evaluating port sustainability on a scalar basis. This study explores the sustainability strategies of seven selected ports in five Baltic Sea countries using an innovative qualitative evaluation framework developed by the Swedish Maritime Competence Centre (SMCC). The SMCC model integrates the three core pillars of sustainability-environmental, social, and economic dimensions, while incorporating energy efficiency and digitalisation as critical enablers of modern port operations. The findings reveal significant variation in sustainability performance among the selected ports, shaped by regional contexts, operational profiles, and prior engagement with sustainability initiatives. Also, the results bring into light the most common sustainable practices used in the ports, e.g., LED lightning, onshore power supply, and port information systems.

Climate change has exacerbated the need for transitional shifts within high-impact sectors, notably maritime transport, which facilitates nearly 90% of global trade. In response, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has implemented stricter environmental regulations under MARPOL Annex VI, which includes, among other things, the designation of Emission Control Areas (ECAs) and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs). These regulatory instruments have prompted the uptake of new technologies, such as scrubbers, LNG propulsion, and low-sulfur fuels to mitigate emissions in these zones. However, emerging evidence has raised environmental concerns about these solutions which may offset their intended climate benefits. This study investigates the hypothesis that ECAs and PSSAs act as catalysts for maritime environmental advancements through a systematic mapping of 76 peer-reviewed articles. Drawing on data from Scopus and Web of Science, the study analyzes trends in technological advances, publication timelines, geographic research distribution, and the increasing role of decision-support tools for regulatory compliance. Findings show increased academic outputs particularly in China, North America, and Europe, and suggest that achieving effective emissions reduction requires globally harmonized policies, bridging research practice gaps, and targeted financial support to ensure sustainable outcomes throughout the sector. The study suggests that for ECAs and PSSAs to deliver truly sustainable outcomes, global regulation must be supported by empirical performance assessments, environmental safeguards for compliance technologies, and targeted support for developing maritime regions.

By Deniece Aiken, Published on 01/01/23

The global maritime sector, encompassing 80 per cent of global trade, faces urgent demand for the establishment of a standardized regulatory framework. This necessity arises from the industry’s inherent international and evolving characteristics. Spearheading this regulatory endeavour is the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency within the United Nations entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding safety, security and environmental integrity in the realm of shipping. Governance within the maritime sphere revolves around a delicate equilibrium that meticulously balances the interests of Member States with those of industry stakeholders to cultivate a coherent international regulatory structure. However, achieving absolute uniformity in this intricate web of maritime regulations is a persistent challenge, primarily attributable to delays in implementation by Member States. This chapter embarks on a historical journey, tracing the development of maritime governance from its origins in customary law to the establishment of a comprehensive system comprising international conventions, protocols, codes and guidelines, all overseen by the IMO and implemented by its Member States. As the maritime industry undergoes perpetual transformation, it is imperative to evaluate the adaptability of this governance framework in the face of emerging challenges, focusing on the role of the IMO in shaping maritime governance.