Challenges and opportunities for ports in achieving net-zero emissions in maritime transport

Shipping ports are vital nodes in maritime transport networks and play crucial roles in the global economy and international trade. Despite their economic importance ports have adverse effects on the environment. Air pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are of great concern since the m...

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Main Authors: Pramithodha Halpe, Michelle Adams, Tony R. Walker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198225000582
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author Pramithodha Halpe
Michelle Adams
Tony R. Walker
author_facet Pramithodha Halpe
Michelle Adams
Tony R. Walker
author_sort Pramithodha Halpe
collection DOAJ
description Shipping ports are vital nodes in maritime transport networks and play crucial roles in the global economy and international trade. Despite their economic importance ports have adverse effects on the environment. Air pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are of great concern since the maritime industry accounts for 2–3% of global GHG emissions. The shipping industry is projected to grow on average at 2.1% annually for the next four years and is under enormous pressure from stakeholders and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to curb GHG emissions to align with the Paris Agreement. The IMO strategy to cut GHG emissions from international shipping aims for a reduction of 20%, by 2030, and 70% by 2040, with respect to 2008 and achieve 100% reduction by 2050 to achieve net-zero emissions. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of shipping ports in overcoming challenges and maximizing opportunities to achieve net-zero emissions in maritime transport. Based on the existing literature from the past decade, this study highlights the magnitude of the problem, the challenges the sector is facing in terms of economic, technological and policy implications in achieving net-zero emissions. This perspective study offers potential solutions and opportunities for ports to achieve net-zero targets by improving infrastructure development, facilitating vessel emissions reduction, adoption of low-emission fuels, renewable energy adoption, and implementing green shipping corridors.
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spelling doaj-art-708fadbc2c504dee88a1ae3b0f17d6282025-08-20T01:57:48ZengElsevierTransportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives2590-19822025-03-013010137910.1016/j.trip.2025.101379Challenges and opportunities for ports in achieving net-zero emissions in maritime transportPramithodha Halpe0Michelle Adams1Tony R. Walker2Corresponding author.; School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaSchool for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaSchool for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaShipping ports are vital nodes in maritime transport networks and play crucial roles in the global economy and international trade. Despite their economic importance ports have adverse effects on the environment. Air pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are of great concern since the maritime industry accounts for 2–3% of global GHG emissions. The shipping industry is projected to grow on average at 2.1% annually for the next four years and is under enormous pressure from stakeholders and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to curb GHG emissions to align with the Paris Agreement. The IMO strategy to cut GHG emissions from international shipping aims for a reduction of 20%, by 2030, and 70% by 2040, with respect to 2008 and achieve 100% reduction by 2050 to achieve net-zero emissions. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of shipping ports in overcoming challenges and maximizing opportunities to achieve net-zero emissions in maritime transport. Based on the existing literature from the past decade, this study highlights the magnitude of the problem, the challenges the sector is facing in terms of economic, technological and policy implications in achieving net-zero emissions. This perspective study offers potential solutions and opportunities for ports to achieve net-zero targets by improving infrastructure development, facilitating vessel emissions reduction, adoption of low-emission fuels, renewable energy adoption, and implementing green shipping corridors.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198225000582Shipping portsGHG emissionsDecarbonizationAlternative fuelsGreen hydrogenGreen shipping corridors
spellingShingle Pramithodha Halpe
Michelle Adams
Tony R. Walker
Challenges and opportunities for ports in achieving net-zero emissions in maritime transport
Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Shipping ports
GHG emissions
Decarbonization
Alternative fuels
Green hydrogen
Green shipping corridors
title Challenges and opportunities for ports in achieving net-zero emissions in maritime transport
title_full Challenges and opportunities for ports in achieving net-zero emissions in maritime transport
title_fullStr Challenges and opportunities for ports in achieving net-zero emissions in maritime transport
title_full_unstemmed Challenges and opportunities for ports in achieving net-zero emissions in maritime transport
title_short Challenges and opportunities for ports in achieving net-zero emissions in maritime transport
title_sort challenges and opportunities for ports in achieving net zero emissions in maritime transport
topic Shipping ports
GHG emissions
Decarbonization
Alternative fuels
Green hydrogen
Green shipping corridors
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198225000582
work_keys_str_mv AT pramithodhahalpe challengesandopportunitiesforportsinachievingnetzeroemissionsinmaritimetransport
AT michelleadams challengesandopportunitiesforportsinachievingnetzeroemissionsinmaritimetransport
AT tonyrwalker challengesandopportunitiesforportsinachievingnetzeroemissionsinmaritimetransport