Catalogue Search | MBRL
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
{{itemTitle}}
1,281
result(s) for
"Shipping Case studies."
Sort by:
Empty vessel : the story of the global economy in one ship
Here is a history of the world economy over the last fifty years told through the life of a single ship. Capitalism. International law. Imperial decline. National sovereignty. Inflation. Gentrification. Mass incarceration. Busts. Racism. Greed. 'Empty Vessel' is the story of globalism in one boat. First built as a Swedish offshore oil rig in the 1970s, it went on to house British soldiers in the Falklands War in the 1980s, prisoners from Riker's Island in New York's East River in the 1990s,Volkswagen factory employees in Germany in the 2000s, and Nigerian oil workers off the coast of Africa in the 2010s. In each of its lives it arrived as an empty vessel, filled at the behest of both public and private interests, for purposes of war, incarceration, and commerce - connecting people thousands of miles apart, all shaped by the same global economic transformations.
BOOK
The Effect of Blockchain Technology on Supply Chain Sustainability Performances
Improving supply chain sustainability is an essential part of achieving the UN’s sustainable goals. Digitalization, such as blockchain technology, shows the potential to reshape supply chain management. Using distributed ledger technology, the blockchain platform provides a digital system and database to record the transactions along the supply chain. This decentralized database of transactions brings transparency, reliability, traceability, and efficiency to the supply chain management. This paper focuses on such novel blockchain-based supply chain management and its sustainability performances in the areas of environmental protection, social equity, and governance efficiency. Using a systematic literature review and two case studies, we evaluate whether the three sustainability indicators can be improved indirectly along supply chains based on blockchain technology. Our study shows that blockchain technology has the potential to improve supply chain sustainability performance, and we expect blockchain technology to rise in popularity in supply chain management.
Journal Article
The Integration of RoRo Shipping in Sustainable Intermodal Transport Chains: The Case of a North European RoRo Service
Roll on–roll off (RoRo) shipping represents a maritime segment that could easily form part of an intermodal transport system, as cargo does not need to be lifted in ports; it is ‘rolled’ to and from sea. This paper investigates the operation of RoRo shipping services in Northern Europe, focusing on a set of services chartered by a major shipper whose demand has a great impact on the service design, potentially affecting the frequency of departures and even stipulating the use of specific vessels. The case of cooperation between Stora Enso, a major forest company in Sweden and Finland, and the shipping company Swedish Orient Line (SOL) is analysed, giving some insight into the way these RoRo services operate and manage to integrate successfully into sustainable intermodal transport chains. Despite various initiatives taken by different stakeholders, the level of integration of shipping in intermodal transport chains has been quite slow. This paper’s results could contribute to the identification of barriers that prevent RoRo shipping from being a viable alternative to road transport for certain transport routes and assist in the discovery of policies and incentives that could lead to developing sustainable intermodal transport chains.
Journal Article
Paving the Way for Low‐Carbon Shipping Fuels in Long‐Haul Trade Routes
In 2023, the International Maritime Organization strengthened its ambition, aiming at net‐zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. This goal depends on the replacement of oil‐derived fuels by alternative fuels and motorizations that bring the risk of technological lock‐in and increasing global trade costs. The establishment of low‐carbon (LC) trade routes (LCRs) is a way to mitigate such risks for the first movers. However, while a dozen LCRs are being considered, few scientific studies have focused on designing and evaluating them, particularly for the trade from emerging economies. We propose a methodology for assessing the economic feasibility, GHG emissions, and policy design of candidate LCRs. We employ it on a shipping route dedicated to the transportation of iron ore, a major dry bulk cargo. Findings show that the use of biomethanol can reduce by 37% the lifecycle GHG emissions of the route. They indicate an increase of 8%–25% in operational costs. This corresponds to 330 and 450 USD/tCO 2 e. The success of this strategy depends on the engagement of private and public actors promoted by policies and international agreements, which can be fostered by the existing involvement of the Brazilian and Chinese governments in the companies and harbors of the assessed route.
Journal Article
Energy-Saving Potential and an Economic Feasibility Analysis for an Arctic Route between Shanghai and Rotterdam: Case Study from China’s Largest Container Sea Freight Operator
Global warming has significantly reduced summer ice coverage in the Arctic region, providing long-awaited opportunities for the shipping industry to open new routes through a region known for its harsh navigational conditions. If a shortcut between Asia and Europe via the Northern Sea Route (NSR) is adopted, significant energy saving and pollution reduction are possible compared with conventional southern routes. However, opinions in literature differ regarding this shortcut’s economic viability. We present an analysis from the perspective of COSCO, China’s largest container sea freight operator. We perform a cost–benefit analysis under several scenarios considering the following current realities: (1) declining oil prices not seen for decades, even lower than the lowest prices assumed in previous studies; (2) declining Russian NSR tariff as an effort to attract shipping traffic; (3) possible emission control areas along a northern route may require much cleaner energy and thus impact costs not studied in previous models; and (4) the capital cost difference between a hired and a self-owned vessel. Classical case studies of shipping routes between Shanghai and Rotterdam are adopted for comparison. We explain how different factors impact the shipping costs and to what extent can the NSR be economically viable. Occasional usage of NSR (e.g., one time transit) is unlikely to be more profitable given the higher unit transportation cost, but the route could be economically competitive in terms of the total profits earned for continuous usage. A more aggressive scenario which requires ships on the NSR to switch to much cleaner fuel would erode this route’s competitiveness, but extra environmental benefits should be taken into consideration if future carbon emission trading schemes include the shipping industry.
Journal Article
Environmentally Differentiated Port Dues: A Case Study for a Transparent Scheme
Gas emissions from ships are a major environmental concern of the international maritime community. Market-based measures with incentive have been developed to reduce gas emissions. One such measure is the differentiation of port dues through the provision of rebates to environmentally friendly vessels. Existing research reveals several limitations that hinder their actual impact on emissions, such as low rebate rates, the lack of transparency of the schemes, and the costs for the port authorities, among other factors. Our article reveals that differentiated schemes can be improved to elicit changes in the shipping industry. Based on data from the Port of Tallinn, we develop an illustrative air emission index to show how transparency in the scheme can be reconciled with environmental targets. The brackets and rates of the scheme should be determined transparently based on an ex ante target and on the distribution of the emission index of vessels that call at the port. From a policy perspective, we highlight how such a transparent process can increase compliance with the schemes and how surcharges are essential to the provision of attractive rebates by preserving the financial stability of the port authority.
Journal Article
Alternative Fuel Selection Framework toward Decarbonizing Maritime Deep-Sea Shipping
Globally, deep-sea shipping is one of the most indispensable form of commercial transportation services. There are considerable repercussions affecting the shipping environment caused by the rise in deep-sea vessel operations. Shifting toward eco-responsible fuel alternatives might be a plausible option for mitigating these adverse effects on the environment. However, alternative fuel selection is a complex process that depends on shipping type, multiple stakeholders’ involvement, and numerous social, environmental, and economic criteria. The baseline of such decision-making involves firm-level decision-makers who must operate ships while maintaining profitability and while complying with regulatory legislation and sustainability dimension. Therefore, firm-level decision-maker perspectives might differ significantly from other industry stakeholders (i.e., government and classification society). Particular attention must be paid to the alternative fuel selection issue from the standpoint of the ship owner and shipping company management. The current research intends to use a multi-criteria analysis as a decision-support tool for the alternative fuel selection problem in deep-sea commercial shipping on the international waterway. The proposed technique considers environmental, technological, and economic factors and ensures an exclusive focus on stakeholders at the firm-level decision-making capacity. The priority ranking of the alternatives selection criteria is based on the technique for order performance by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS). Implementing this strategy considers the participation of firm-level stakeholders by analyzing each alternative’s criterion weights and performance concerning each criterion. The technique is applied to the case study of Singapore-based firms. The results demonstrated that the most important criteria with regard to an optimal alternative selection for shipping firm-level stakeholders are technological aspects, technology status, expenditures, ecosystem impact, and health-safety considerations. These results provide a foundation for decision-makers to comprehend the ship management’s priorities and interests in choosing alternative fuels. The conclusions of this analysis, the first of its kind in this field, can provide a solid foundation for strategic planning.
Journal Article
Data-Driven Analysis of Regional Ship Carbon Emission Reduction: The Bohai Bay Area Case Study
With the tightening of marine carbon emission reduction policies, the sustainable development of the shipping industry has attracted much attention, and it is of great significance to use Automatic Identification System (AIS) big data to study the carbon emissions of marine ships. Taking ships around Bohai Bay as the research object, this paper constructs a calculation method of ship carbon emissions driven by the ship AIS trajectory. The AIS information of ships is extracted, and the sailing status is determined. The carbon emission calculation model is built based on the AIS data, the carbon emission in 2023 is empirically measured, and the characteristics are analyzed. At the same time, a speed simulation model was built to evaluate the impact of speed reduction on carbon emissions and put forward emission reduction measures. The results show that the carbon emission of ships around Bohai Bay in 2023 was 8.8072 million tons, with cargo ships contributing the most, and the carbon emissions of the cruise state was significant. A 10% reduction in speed would reduce annual carbon emissions by about 6%. This study provides a reference for understanding the impact of speed on carbon emissions and formulating emission reduction measures, which can be used to compare historical and future data to support the emission reduction in ports and shipping enterprises.
Journal Article
Vessel Pooling as a Compliance Strategy in the European Shipping Energy Transition
The European Union’s energy transition framework presents significant challenges for the maritime sector, requiring technical, organizational, and market-based compliance measures. The FuelEU Maritime Regulation (FuelEU) introduces flexible mechanisms such as banking, borrowing, and pooling that broaden compliance options for shipowners. This study examines the role of pooling in European shipping, focusing on its operational models, enabling conditions, and economic implications. Pool formation demands extensive information exchange and effective coordination, creating a need for specialized intermediaries and supporting the emergence of a market in which pooling prices are shaped by supply and demand. The research employs a qualitative methodology combining stakeholder and exploratory market analysis, assessment of regulatory and market drivers, case studies, and comparative analysis, complemented by expert interviews and a targeted survey. The findings highlight pooling as a pivotal compliance instrument, particularly as a fallback option during the reporting period, and show that it currently represents the most cost-efficient means of achieving FuelEU compliance. Intermediary service providers, especially digital platforms, play a central role by facilitating coordination, improving transparency, and reducing compliance costs. The study further identifies key factors influencing shipowners’ costs and revenues in pools, emphasizing the critical importance of alternative fuel availability and prices.
Journal Article
A Conceptual Framework for Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships to Advance the Construction and Implementation of Green Shipping Corridors
To effectively leverage the role of green shipping corridors (GSCs) in promoting greenhouse gas emissions reduction in international shipping, this paper firstly examined the current status and challenges faced by GSCs with the aim of providing valuable solutions for future development. Then, a conceptual framework of multi-stakeholder partnerships (MSPs) for the international maritime industry that enables the construction and implementation of GSCs was proposed. Additionally, the inherent correlation mechanism between the “feasibility wall” of GSCs and the core elements as well as key principles in the MSP framework was also explored. The findings indicate that the GSC initiatives at the global, regional and local levels are advancing rapidly, yet very few have been truly implemented and effectively operationalized, with the fundamental cause lying in the lack of effective theoretical guidance and research support; based on the theory, mechanism and framework of MSPs, the existing GSCs are found to still have considerable deficiencies in partnership building, roles and responsibilities, governance structure, funding and resource support, as well as monitoring and accountability. Concept validation through case studies demonstrates that the conceptual framework proposed in this paper can serve as a practical diagnostic tool for GSC initiatives, which can help to identify the specific stage they are failing at and apply targeted principles to fix it. This paper is expected to contribute to a more effective advancement of the development of GSCs, thereby actively facilitating the achievement of net-zero emission targets for international shipping.
Journal Article