A Strategic Pathway to Green Digital Shipping

<i>Background:</i> The maritime industry is undergoing a profound transformation to meet global decarbonization goals. As Industry 4.0 advanced digital technologies are increasingly integrated into shipping operations, the role of the human element is evolving significantly. This interse...

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Main Authors: Mohsen Khabir, Gholam Reza Emad, Mehrangiz Shahbakhsh, Maxim A. Dulebenets
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Logistics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/9/2/68
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author Mohsen Khabir
Gholam Reza Emad
Mehrangiz Shahbakhsh
Maxim A. Dulebenets
author_facet Mohsen Khabir
Gholam Reza Emad
Mehrangiz Shahbakhsh
Maxim A. Dulebenets
author_sort Mohsen Khabir
collection DOAJ
description <i>Background:</i> The maritime industry is undergoing a profound transformation to meet global decarbonization goals. As Industry 4.0 advanced digital technologies are increasingly integrated into shipping operations, the role of the human element is evolving significantly. This intersection of decarbonization, digitalization, and human element/workforce transformation lays the foundation for more structured initiatives such as Green Digital Shipping Corridors (GDSCs), a strategic solution to scale zero-emission, smart maritime routes. <i>Methods</i>: This paper explores the interconnected roles of decarbonization, digitalization, and human capital development through a systematic literature review. It examines how these pillars converge in the implementation of GDSCs, drawing on academic and industry sources to identify challenges and opportunities in workforce readiness, policy integration, and technological adoption. <i>Results</i>: The findings underscore the necessity of coordinated action across the three pillars, particularly highlighting the importance of structured training programs, cross-sector collaboration, and standardized regulations. GDSCs are presented as an applied framework to align these transitions, enabling scalable, digitally enabled, low-emission maritime routes. <i>Conclusions</i>: There is a significant gap in current research that holistically connects the human factor with technological and environmental imperatives in the context of maritime transformation. This paper addresses that gap by introducing GDSCs as a strategic outcome of integrated change, providing actionable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and educators aiming to advance sustainable shipping.
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spelling doaj-art-d29f0e0000bf4e2b92ab90c75e03d4242025-08-20T02:21:10ZengMDPI AGLogistics2305-62902025-05-01926810.3390/logistics9020068A Strategic Pathway to Green Digital ShippingMohsen Khabir0Gholam Reza Emad1Mehrangiz Shahbakhsh2Maxim A. Dulebenets3Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USAC-HELM Research Centre, Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, AustraliaAustralian Maritime College, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, AustraliaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida A&M University-Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA<i>Background:</i> The maritime industry is undergoing a profound transformation to meet global decarbonization goals. As Industry 4.0 advanced digital technologies are increasingly integrated into shipping operations, the role of the human element is evolving significantly. This intersection of decarbonization, digitalization, and human element/workforce transformation lays the foundation for more structured initiatives such as Green Digital Shipping Corridors (GDSCs), a strategic solution to scale zero-emission, smart maritime routes. <i>Methods</i>: This paper explores the interconnected roles of decarbonization, digitalization, and human capital development through a systematic literature review. It examines how these pillars converge in the implementation of GDSCs, drawing on academic and industry sources to identify challenges and opportunities in workforce readiness, policy integration, and technological adoption. <i>Results</i>: The findings underscore the necessity of coordinated action across the three pillars, particularly highlighting the importance of structured training programs, cross-sector collaboration, and standardized regulations. GDSCs are presented as an applied framework to align these transitions, enabling scalable, digitally enabled, low-emission maritime routes. <i>Conclusions</i>: There is a significant gap in current research that holistically connects the human factor with technological and environmental imperatives in the context of maritime transformation. This paper addresses that gap by introducing GDSCs as a strategic outcome of integrated change, providing actionable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and educators aiming to advance sustainable shipping.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/9/2/68decarbonizationdigitalizationautonomous shippingmaritime education and trainingalternative fuelsworkforce transformation
spellingShingle Mohsen Khabir
Gholam Reza Emad
Mehrangiz Shahbakhsh
Maxim A. Dulebenets
A Strategic Pathway to Green Digital Shipping
Logistics
decarbonization
digitalization
autonomous shipping
maritime education and training
alternative fuels
workforce transformation
title A Strategic Pathway to Green Digital Shipping
title_full A Strategic Pathway to Green Digital Shipping
title_fullStr A Strategic Pathway to Green Digital Shipping
title_full_unstemmed A Strategic Pathway to Green Digital Shipping
title_short A Strategic Pathway to Green Digital Shipping
title_sort strategic pathway to green digital shipping
topic decarbonization
digitalization
autonomous shipping
maritime education and training
alternative fuels
workforce transformation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/9/2/68
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