Maritime Transportation in the Blue Economy and Green Shipping Technology

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global shipping industry, which is responsible for transporting over 80% of the world’s goods, is currently undergoing a critical transformation to address its significant environmental impact—the industry accounts for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As international climate targets become more ambitious, the sector is rapidly adopting advanced green shipping technologies, alternative fuels, and digital innovations to reduce its environmental footprint and ensure long-term viability. Recent years have seen the International Maritime Organization (IMO) set a course for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by or around 2050, with mandatory marine fuel standards and global emissions pricing frameworks to be implemented from 2027. These regulatory measures are driving the adoption of cleaner fuels, energy-efficient ship designs, and smart shipping solutions across the industry. This Topic explores the pivotal role of maritime transportation in advancing the blue economy worldwide, highlighting the integration of green shipping technologies, successful implementation case studies, and the economic and operational challenges encountered during this transition. By showcasing global leadership and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, the Topic aims to accelerate the adoption of sustainable solutions and reinforce the shipping industry’s central position in shaping a sustainable future for global trade.

Dr. Chungkuk Jin
Dr. Junghwan Choi
Prof. Dr. Won-Ju Lee
Prof. Dr. Hokeun Kang
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Coasts coasts	-	-	2021	26.6 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Energies energies	3.2	7.3	2008	16.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering jmse	2.8	5.0	2013	16.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	7.7	2009	17.9 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Future Transportation futuretransp	1.7	3.8	2021	21.7 Days	CHF 1200	Submit

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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All Coasts Energies JMSE Sustainability Future Transportation

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29 pages, 8256 KB  

Open AccessArticle

A Novel ROA-Optimized CNN-BiGRU Hybrid Network with an Attention Mechanism for Ship Fuel Consumption Prediction

by Zifei Wang, Kai Wang, Zhongwei Li, Hongzhi Liang, Shuo Yin, Qitai Ma, Diankang Zhang and Weijie Xiong

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(4), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14040324 (registering DOI) - 7 Feb 2026

Abstract

Optimizing ship energy efficiency and advancing the green transition of the shipping industry depend on an accurate model for predicting ship fuel consumption (FC). This study builds a hybrid prediction model that combines a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (BiGRU), [...] Read more.

Optimizing ship energy efficiency and advancing the green transition of the shipping industry depend on an accurate model for predicting ship fuel consumption (FC). This study builds a hybrid prediction model that combines a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (BiGRU), and an attention mechanism using operational data from ships. The model is tuned using the Red Kite Optimization Algorithm (ROA). First, correlations between ship navigational environmental data and operational data are analyzed, and cluster analysis is performed to select suitable input features. Subsequently, the ship FC prediction model based on ROA-CNN-BiGRU-Attention (RCGA) is developed. A case study shows that the RCGA model reaches a root mean square error (RMSE) as low as 0.0205 and an R² value as high as 0.9330, demonstrating strong performance in dynamic shipping scenarios, with advantages in handling temporal dependencies and complex operational patterns. Moreover, the model exhibits reasonable robustness, providing some support for ship energy efficiency optimization and assisting the shipping industry in advancing low-carbon development and sustainable green transition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Maritime Transportation in the Blue Economy and Green Shipping Technology)

28 pages, 2515 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Fishing Ground Identification and Activity Analysis Based on AIS Data

by Anila Duka, Weiwei Tian, Houxiang Zhang, Pero Vidan and Guoyuan Li

Future Transp. 2026, 6(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp6010034 - 2 Feb 2026

Viewed by 94

Abstract

The sustainable management of marine resources requires accurate knowledge of fishing activity patterns and their interaction with coastal infrastructure. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are increasingly applied in the maritime domain, where data-driven approaches enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. In this context, Automatic Identification [...] Read more.

The sustainable management of marine resources requires accurate knowledge of fishing activity patterns and their interaction with coastal infrastructure. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are increasingly applied in the maritime domain, where data-driven approaches enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. In this context, Automatic Identification System (AIS) data provide valuable insights into vessel behavior and fisheries management. This study employs the Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithm to identify fishing grounds, and a density map-based approach to recognize port locations. By integrating AIS data with machine learning techniques, the study detects and analyzes fishing vessel activities, providing deeper insights into behaviors such as fishing ground visit times, durations, and transitions between fishing grounds and ports. A case study in the Aalesund area of Norway demonstrates that DBSCAN effectively reveals fishing activity patterns relevant to regulatory oversight and spatial planning, while density mapping accurately identifies fishing ports. The findings highlight the potential of AIS-based analytics and clustering methods within maritime ITS frameworks to enhance situational awareness, support compliance with fisheries regulations, and contribute to sustainable marine resource management. Using 2023 AIS data from the Aalesund region, 6 recurrent fishing grounds and 15 port locations are identified, and size-stratified visit frequency and residence-time distributions are quantified together with monthly seasonality in ground usage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Maritime Transportation in the Blue Economy and Green Shipping Technology)

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21 pages, 2003 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Study on Injector Parameters for Improving Medium-Speed Marine Diesel Engine Performance

by Yun-Jae Gwak, Jeong Kuk Kim, Seung-Kwon Yang and Won-Ju Lee

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(3), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14030284 - 29 Jan 2026

Viewed by 292

Abstract

Based on high-performance engine technologies, this study investigated the performance enhancement of marine diesel engines through a numerical analysis based on computational fluid dynamics simulations. Three key injector parameters—spray angle, insertion depth, and nozzle hole diameter—were selected for the analysis. A total of [...] Read more.

Based on high-performance engine technologies, this study investigated the performance enhancement of marine diesel engines through a numerical analysis based on computational fluid dynamics simulations. Three key injector parameters—spray angle, insertion depth, and nozzle hole diameter—were selected for the analysis. A total of 27 simulation cases were generated to examine their combined effect on engine output and efficiency. The simulation model was validated using engine commissioning data, and the error margin was within ±5%, thus confirming the reliability and accuracy of the computational approach. The nozzle hole diameter had the greatest influence on performance, followed by spray angle and insertion depth. Notably, Case 21 (150° spray angle and 0.27 mm diameter) and Case 27 (150° spray angle, 0.27 mm diameter, and 2.7 mm depth) achieved the highest efficiency. In both cases, engine output was maintained while fuel injection was reduced by approximately 10.3% compared with the reference condition (from 0.155 to 0.139 g). Unlike previous studies that were limited to single- or dual-parameter analysis, this study simultaneously varied three injector parameters, yielding a comprehensive set of performance outcomes. The results provide valuable baseline data for the future design and development of high-efficiency marine diesel engines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Maritime Transportation in the Blue Economy and Green Shipping Technology)

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28 pages, 3077 KB  

Open AccessReview

Sustainable Maritime Decarbonization: A Review of Hydrogen and Ammonia as Future Clean Marine Energies

by Chungkuk Jin, JungHwan Choi, Changhee Lee and MooHyun Kim

Sustainability 2025, 17(24), 11364; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172411364 - 18 Dec 2025

Viewed by 944

Abstract

Maritime transport accounts for approximately 80–90% of global trade and nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In response, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted an ambitious strategy for net-zero emissions by 2050, critically mandating a Well-to-Wake (WtW) life-cycle assessment for fuels. [...] Read more.

Maritime transport accounts for approximately 80–90% of global trade and nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In response, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted an ambitious strategy for net-zero emissions by 2050, critically mandating a Well-to-Wake (WtW) life-cycle assessment for fuels. This framework invalidates fuels produced with high carbon intensity, regardless of their emissions at the point of use, thereby compelling the industry to focus on truly clean and sustainable alternatives. This push positions green hydrogen and ammonia as leading solutions, though they present a distinct trade-off. Hydrogen is an ideal fuel with zero-carbon emission in fuel cells but faces significant storage challenges due to its extremely low volumetric energy density and cryogenic requirements. In contrast, ammonia offers superior energy density and easier handling but contends with issues of toxicity and potentially harmful emissions like nitrous oxide. This paper provides a comprehensive review of this complex landscape, analyzing the production, utilization, and associated techno-economic and geopolitical challenges of using hydrogen and ammonia as future marine fuels, with environmental aspects briefly considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Maritime Transportation in the Blue Economy and Green Shipping Technology)

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25 pages, 869 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Understanding Seafarers’ Acceptance of the Transition to Alternative Fuels in Shipping Through the Technology Acceptance Model

by Kyunghwan Kim, Chang-hee Lee and Dongnyeok Lim

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(12), 2308; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13122308 - 4 Dec 2025

Viewed by 630

Abstract

According to the International Maritime Organization, transitioning to alternative fuels is essential to achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Seafarers are at the frontline of this transition, and in this study, their attitude toward this strategy is analyzed using the technology acceptance model. The alternative [...] Read more.

According to the International Maritime Organization, transitioning to alternative fuels is essential to achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Seafarers are at the frontline of this transition, and in this study, their attitude toward this strategy is analyzed using the technology acceptance model. The alternative fuels analyzed are liquefied natural gas (LNG) and methanol as short-term options and hydrogen and ammonia as long-term options. The analyzed seafarers are from South Korea, where alternative fuels are actively incorporated into shipbuilding and training. Across all fuels, perceived ease of use (PEOU) positively affected perceived usefulness (PU). PEOU and PU positively influenced attitude toward using (ATT). ATT and trust (TRU) significantly increased behavioral intention (BI), a finding that aligns with those of prior studies, while operational safety risk (OSR) also showed a positive effect on ATT. This indicates that seafarers became more aware of the need to use alternative fuels and expected improvements in managing related risks. Unlike OSR, environmental risk (ER) negatively affected ATT for hydrogen, consistent with prior risk perception studies. These findings suggest that to encourage alternative fuel use during the shipping industry’s energy transition, operational ease, enhanced risk management systems, and basic competency training and incentives are necessary to positively shape seafarers’ attitudes and behavioral intentions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Maritime Transportation in the Blue Economy and Green Shipping Technology)

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28 pages, 2391 KB  

Open AccessArticle

The Eco-Friendly Paradigm Shift in Shipping and Shipbuilding: Policy–Technology Linkages as Key Drivers

by Hae-Yeon Lee, Chang-Hee Lee, Sang-Seop Lim and Kang Woo Chun

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9733; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219733 - 31 Oct 2025

Viewed by 1571

Abstract

The decarbonization of shipping and shipbuilding is a critical challenge under the Inter-national Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target and 2050 net-zero strategy, requiring effective coordination between policy and technology. This study investigates how Japan, China, and Korea respond to [...] Read more.

The decarbonization of shipping and shipbuilding is a critical challenge under the Inter-national Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target and 2050 net-zero strategy, requiring effective coordination between policy and technology. This study investigates how Japan, China, and Korea respond to these regulatory pressures by systematically analyzing their policy–technology linkages. A four-stage design was applied, combining qualitative case studies, policy–technology mapping, theoretical interpretation, and comparative analysis, to trace how national strategies shape eco-friendly transitions. Japan employs an innovation-led, institution-convergent model in which technological demonstrations drive institutional adaptation and diffusion, China follows a policy-designated, execution-oriented model where state-led interventions accelerate commercialization, and Korea adopts a coordination-based, cyclical model balancing public demonstrations, financial support, and international standardization to reduce transition costs. These findings demonstrate that sequencing between policy–technology linkage is context-dependent, shaped by technological maturity, economic feasibility and infrastructure, institutional predictability, and socio-environmental acceptance. The study contributes a cyclic co-evolutionary perspective that moves beyond technological or institutional determinism, reconceptualizes regulation as enabling infra-structure, and identifies implications for global standard-setting and industrial competitiveness. The insights inform practical strategies for major shipbuilding nations to reduce costs while sustaining competitiveness under the IMO’s decarbonization framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Maritime Transportation in the Blue Economy and Green Shipping Technology)

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20 pages, 2512 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Operational Strategies for CII Under Short Voyages: Hybrid Denominator Correction and CPP Mode Optimization

by Ji-Woong Lee, Quang Dao Vuong and Jae-Ung Lee

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(10), 2010; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13102010 - 20 Oct 2025

Viewed by 538

Abstract

This study addresses structural distortions in the IMO Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) for short-voyage training vessels and proposes corrective strategies combining denominator adjustments with controllable pitch propeller (CPP) mode optimization. Using 2024 operational data from a training ship, we computed monthly [...] Read more.

This study addresses structural distortions in the IMO Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) for short-voyage training vessels and proposes corrective strategies combining denominator adjustments with controllable pitch propeller (CPP) mode optimization. Using 2024 operational data from a training ship, we computed monthly and annual CII values, identifying significant inflation when time-at-sea fractions are low due to extensive port stays. Two correction methods were evaluated: a hybrid denominator approach converting port-stay CO₂ to equivalent distance, and a Braidotti functional correction. The CPP operating maps for combination and fixed modes revealed a crossover point at approximately 12 kn (~50% engine load), where the combination mode shows superior efficiency at low speeds and the fixed mode at higher speeds. The hybrid correction effectively stabilized CII values across varying operational conditions, while the speed-band CPP optimization provided additional reductions. Results demonstrate that combining optimized CPP mode selection with hybrid CII correction achieves compliance with required standards, attaining a B rating. The integrated framework offers practical solutions for CII management in short-voyage operations, addressing regulatory fairness while improving operational efficiency for training vessels and similar ship types. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Maritime Transportation in the Blue Economy and Green Shipping Technology)

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17 pages, 2827 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Empirical Research to Design Rule-Based Strategy Control with Energy Consumption Minimization Strategy of Energy Management Systems in Hybrid Electric Propulsion Systems

by Seongwan Kim and Hyeonmin Jeon

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(9), 1695; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13091695 - 2 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1067

Abstract

Equivalent energy consumption minimization methods of energy management systems have been implemented as a rule-based strategy to enhance electric propulsion system efficiency. This study compares the efficiencies of different systems by applying variable- and constant-speed generators with battery hybrid systems, measuring fuel consumption. [...] Read more.

Equivalent energy consumption minimization methods of energy management systems have been implemented as a rule-based strategy to enhance electric propulsion system efficiency. This study compares the efficiencies of different systems by applying variable- and constant-speed generators with battery hybrid systems, measuring fuel consumption. In the same scenario, the variable-speed operation showed a notable improvement of 10.36% compared to the conventional system. However, in the verification of hybrid system efficiency, onshore charged energy cannot be considered a reduction in fuel consumption. Instead, when converting onshore energy usage into equivalent fuel consumption for comparative analysis, both hybrid constant- and variable-speed operation modes achieved efficiency enhancements ranging from 5.5% to 9.79% compared to the conventional, nonequivalent constant-speed operation mode. Conversely, the nonequivalent variable-speed operation mode demonstrated an efficiency that was 5.41% higher than that of the hybrid constant-speed operation mode. In contrast, the battery-integrated variable-speed operation mode indicated a system efficiency approximately equal to that of the nonequivalent variable-speed operation mode. For vessels with load profiles characterized by prolonged periods of idling or low-load operations, a battery-integrated hybrid system could be a practical solution. This study demonstrates the necessity of analyzing load profiles, even when aiming for the optimal operational set points of the generator engine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Maritime Transportation in the Blue Economy and Green Shipping Technology)

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