Innovations and Sustainable Pathways for Maritime Decarbonization

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to submit your recent findings to the Special Issue with the title “Innovations and Sustainable Pathways for Maritime Decarbonization”.

Maritime transport serves as an indispensable pillar of the global economy, facilitating the movement of over 80% of international trade and underpinning economic growth, connectivity, and energy security. Despite its critical role, this sector faces an escalating environmental challenge, making its comprehensive decarbonization an urgent global imperative.

This Special Issue aims to serve as a pivotal platform for disseminating cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research that addresses the multifaceted challenges and opportunities inherent in the global maritime sector's transition towards net-zero emissions. The primary objective is to foster a deeper understanding of the scientific, technological, economic, policy, and social dimensions of maritime decarbonization, providing actionable insights for both academic and practitioner communities.

This Special Issue is profoundly aligned with the core aims and scope of the journal Sustainability, an applied scholarly journal dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability and bridging the gap between academia and practice. The proposed theme, 'Innovations and Sustainable Pathways for Maritime Decarbonization,' directly addresses several fundamental tenets of the journal's mission.  

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

Theme 1: Alternative Fuels and Propulsion Systems

• Zero and Near-Zero Emission Fuels.
• Advanced Propulsion Technologies.

• Fuel Cell Integration.
• Batteries and Hybrid Systems.
• Wind-Assisted Propulsion.

• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) on board Ships.

Theme 2: Energy Efficiency Technologies and Operational Optimization

• Hydrodynamic and Aerodynamic Optimizations:

• Hull form optimization, air lubrication, wake energy recovery devices, and propeller advancements.
• Biofouling prevention and management solutions.

• Engine and System Efficiency:

• Waste heat recovery systems, improved engine design, and smart power management.
• Advanced machinery and system integration.

• Operational and Digital Solutions:

• Voyage optimization, weather routing, just-in-time arrivals, and port call optimization.
• Digital twins, AI, machine learning, and big data analytics for enhanced operational efficiency.
• Fleet performance monitoring and management systems.
• Autonomous shipping and its potential for energy efficiency.

Theme 3: Policy, Economic, and Infrastructure Solutions

• Regulatory Frameworks and Compliance.
• Economic Instruments and Financing.
• Infrastructure Development.

Theme 4: Cross-Cutting Aspects and Holistic Approaches

• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Well-to-Wake Analysis.
• Port-City Synergies and Green Shipping Corridors:

• The role of ports as energy hubs and enablers of maritime decarbonization.
• Integration of port activities with urban sustainability goals.

• Ship Recycling and Circular Economy.
• Stakeholder Collaboration and Public Acceptance:

• Importance of collaboration among shipowners, charterers, fuel suppliers, port authorities, and policymakers.
• Public perception and acceptance of new maritime technologies and fuels.

I/We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Chenxi Ji
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• renewable energy
• green fuel pathways
• GHG emissions
• sustainable technology
• transportation decarbonization
• carbon neutrality
• AI-driven sustainability projection
• marine alternative fuels