Modelling maritime GHG emission measures impact assessment: A case study for container shipping by system dynamics
Volume
77
Issue number
2
Article number
77207
Received
1 May 2025
Received in revised form
23 September 2025
Accepted
6 October 2025
Available online
7 November 2025
Authors
Selen Uygur1,2, Pelin Bolat3,*, Gizem Kayışoğlu3, Emre Düzenli3, Fırat Bolat3, Ozcan Arslan3, Ruan Wei4, Feng Zhou 4, Ying Ming Wang4
1 Istanbul Technical University, Institute of Graduate Studies
2 Sakarya University of Applied Sciences, Maritime Higher Vocational School, Kocaali, Sakarya, 54800, Türkiye
3 Istanbul Technical University, Maritime Faculty, Istanbul, Türkiye
4 Shangai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
Corresponding author email
Abstract
The shipping industry is responsible for around 2% of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide. This research explores the interaction of technology change, operational approaches, and policy measures in achieving the target for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A simulation model based on the system dynamics of the maritime transport system has been created in accordance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) policies such as the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII). Suggested actions to reduce the average speed of ships to 15 knots have shown significant reduction of CO₂ emissions in the short term. Further, the complete phase-out of High Fuel Oil (HFO) and the high uptake of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), methanol, and ammonia in an aggressive fuel transition scenario significantly lowers emissions by 2050. Market-based instruments such as fuel price mechanisms and carbon taxes are complementary methods that enable emissions reduction by encouraging the transition to cleaner fuels. The report calls for the harmonization of policies for the long-term sustainability of shipping. Future studies can expand the model by incorporating economy-related factors such as carbon prices and emissions trading mechanisms to help the industry achieve its 2050 net-zero target.
Keywords
GHG Emissions, Maritime Sector, Decarbonization, Emission Reduction Strategies, System Dynamics Modelling