Decarbonizing Ports for a Sustainable Future: Challenges and Strategies

Pdf
Published: Oct 30, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/ta.39896
Keywords:
Port decarbonization sustainable maritime operations renewable energy alternative fuels shore-side power digitalization climate change mitigation global trade sustainability
Evanthia Kostidi
Laboratory for Maritime Transport, School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, National Technical, University of Athens, 15773 Athens, Greece
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0329-5495
Dimitrios Lyridis
Laboratory for Maritime Transport, School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, National Technical, University of Athens, 15773 Athens, Greece;
Abstract

Ports are critical nodes in global trade and logistics, yet they are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution, presenting challenges for achieving sustainable development. This article explores the multifaceted efforts required to decarbonize ports, focusing on the integration of renewable energy, adoption of alternative fuels, investment in infrastructure modernization, efficiency improvement, and leveraging digital technologies. Drawing on case studies and a review of contemporary research, the paper identifies key strategies such as the implementation of shore-side power systems, predictive scheduling using artificial intelligence, and the development of port-specific microgrids. Despite technological advancements, barriers such as high capital costs, stakeholder misalignment, and fragmented policy frameworks hinder progress. The findings underscore the importance of international collaboration, regulatory alignment, and public-private partnerships to overcome these challenges. By synthesizing lessons from successful implementations worldwide, this paper provides actionable insights into decarbonizing ports while highlighting the environmental, economic, and social benefits of such transformations. Ultimately, this work argues for a systemic, collaborative approach to achieving sustainable maritime operations and advancing global decarbonization goals.

Article Details
  • Section
  • Naval Coastal and Maritime Design Engineering and Planning
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
Author Biographies
Evanthia Kostidi, Laboratory for Maritime Transport, School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, National Technical, University of Athens, 15773 Athens, Greece

Dr. Evanthia Kostidi is a specialized researcher in Shipping, New Technologies & Energy. Her educational background includes a PhD in "Additive Manufacturing in the Spare Parts Supply Chain for the Maritime Industry". She holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering with a specialisation in energy, industrial processes and anti-pollution technology. She has also a Master’s degree in Shipping, Transport and International Trade, specialising in intermodal transport and new technologies. She has attended the "Technical Project Management" postgraduate program.
She has participated in various programs to specialize in new technologies and mainly in additive manufacturing. She has published many scientific papers of her research work, but also articles and announcements to a general maritime audience, with the aim of promoting new technologies, with an emphasis on additive manufacturing (3D printing).
She speaks English fluently, very good German and basic Chinese. She has excellent computer knowledge. She has been awarded for her excellent work in several contests.
She got technical experience working at local authorities, but her passion in new technology and maritime lead her into research. Evanthia collaborates with research institutions, currently with Laboratory for Maritime Transport, School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, NTUA, in national and international research projects. Her latest work is on environmental and safety aspects of alternative maritime fuels as well as Life Cycle Analysis, Life Cycle Cost Analysis, Social Life Cycle Analysis and Social Cost-Benefit Analysis. She also works as an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Financial and Management Engineering of the University of the Aegean according to the act: "Acquiring Academic Teaching Experience for Young Scientists with PhDs". The courses that are taught are: Production Systems and Supply Chain Management.

Dimitrios Lyridis, Laboratory for Maritime Transport, School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, National Technical, University of Athens, 15773 Athens, Greece;

Dimitrios V. Lyridis is an Associate Professor in the area of Maritime Transport in the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NA&ME) at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). He is currently Director of the Laboratory for Maritime Transport (LMT) of NTUA. He has a Diploma in NA&ME from NTUA, an M.S. in NA&ME (Marine Systems Management) from the University of Michigan (UM), an M.S.E.  in Industrial and Operations Engineering (IOE) from UM, and a Ph.D. in NA&ME from UM as well. His main scientific areas of interest are maritime economics, supply chain management, shipping finance, maritime transportation, energy economics, and environment. He has undertaken many research and industrial projects in these areas (including project finance and cost benefit analyses for investment projects) and he has been involved in applied commercial projects in the areas of ship investment, restructuring, marketing, business and operational planning (including feasibility studies and business plans).

References
IMO, ‘IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships’, 2023, Accessed: Dec. 06, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Documents/Clean%20version%20of%20Annex%201.pdf
L. Zhang, Q. Zeng, and L. Wang, ‘How to Achieve Comprehensive Carbon Emission Reduction in Ports? A Systematic Review’, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, vol. 12, no. 5, p. 715, 2024.
D.-P. Song, ‘A Literature Review of Seaport Decarbonisation: Solution Measures and Roadmap to Net Zero’, Sustainability, vol. 16, no. 4, p. 1620, 2024.
W. Chen, Y. Men, N. Fuster, C. Osorio, and A. A. Juan, ‘Artificial Intelligence in Logistics Optimization with Sustainable Criteria: A Review’, Sustainability, vol. 16, no. 21, Art. no. 21, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.3390/su16219145.
A. S. Alamoush, D. Dalaklis, F. Ballini, and A. I. Ölcer, ‘Consolidating Port Decarbonisation Implementation: Concept, Pathways, Barriers, Solutions, and Opportunities’, Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 19, p. 14185, 2023.
A. Elentably and B. Aljbhan, ‘REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS FROM CONTAINER DOCK EQUIPMENT ANDCRANES IN SAUDI PORTS’, Zibaldone Estudios italianos, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 21–35, 2024.
E. Doundoulakis, S. Papaefthimiou, and I. Sitzimis, ‘Environmental impact assessment of passenger ferries and cruise vessels: the case study of Crete’, European Transport/Trasporti Europei, no. 87, pp. 1–15, Jun. 2022, doi: 10.48295/ET.2022.87.2.
A. G. Progiou, E. Bakeas, E. Evangelidou, Ch. Kontogiorgi, E. Lagkadinou, and I. Sebos, ‘Air pollutant emissions from Piraeus port: External costs and air quality levels’, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, vol. 91, p. 102586, Feb. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.trd.2020.102586.
C. Chlomoudis, P. Kostagiolas, P. Pallis, and C. Platias, ‘Environmental management systems in Greek ports: A transformation tool?’, Environmental Challenges, vol. 14, p. 100837, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.envc.2024.100837.
I. de Calonje and R. de la Orden, ‘Sustainability-Linked Finance— Mobilizing Capital for Sustainability in Emerging Markets’, IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, 2022. Accessed: Dec. 18, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.icmagroup.org/assets/documents/Sustainable-finance/2024-updates/Sustainability-Linked-Bond-Principles-June-2024.pdf
F. Almeida, ‘Challenges in the digital transformation of ports’, Businesses, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 548–568, 2023.
C. Hendriks and V. de Gooyert, ‘Towards sustainable port areas: dynamics of industrial decarbonization and the role of port authorities’, 2023, Accessed: Dec. 13, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://repository.ubn.ru.nl/bitstream/handle/2066/291818/291818.pdf
M. Ashrafi, T. R. Walker, G. M. Magnan, M. Adams, and M. Acciaro, ‘A review of corporate sustainability drivers in maritime ports: a multi-stakeholder perspective’, Maritime Policy & Management, vol. 47, no. 8, pp. 1027–1044, Nov. 2020, doi: 10.1080/03088839.2020.1736354.
N. N. Abu Bakar, N. Bazmohammadi, J. C. Vasquez, and J. M. Guerrero, ‘Electrification of onshore power systems in maritime transportation towards decarbonization of ports: A review of the cold ironing technology’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Re-
views, vol. 178, p. 113243, May 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2023.113243.
O. Karountzos, G. Kagkelis, and K. Kepaptsoglou, ‘A Decision Support GIS Framework for Establishing Zero-Emission Maritime Networks: The Case of the Greek Coastal Shipping Network’, J geovis spat anal, vol. 7, no. 2, p. 16, Jun. 2023, doi: 10.1007/s41651-023-00145-1.
M. Acciaro, ‘Strategies for a Greener Blue Economy’, Baltic Rim Economies, no. 3, p. 26, 2024.
A. Fadiga, L. M. D. Ferreira, and J. F. Bigotte, ‘Decarbonising maritime ports: A systematic review of the literature and insights for new research opportunities’, Journal of Cleaner Production, p. 142209, 2024.
D. V. Lyridis, J. M. Prousalidis, A.-M. Lekka, V. Georgiou, and L. Nakos, ‘Holistic Energy Transformation of Ports: The Proteus plan’, IEEE Electrification Magazine, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 8–17, 2023.
S. B. Issa Zadeh, M. D. Esteban Perez, J.-S. López-Gutiérrez, and G. Fernández-Sánchez, ‘Optimizing Smart Energy Infrastructure in Smart Ports: A Systematic Scoping Review of Carbon Footprint Reduction’, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, vol. 11, no. 10, p. 1921, 2023.