Sustainable Bunker Use in Maritime: Asessing the Strategic Shift towards Low Carbon Alternative Fuels
Uluslararası Karadeniz Ticaret ve Lojistik Yönetimi Kongresi, Rize, Türkiye, 4 - 06 Mayıs 2026, ss.38-53, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: Rize
- Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.38-53
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This research examines the maritime industry's strategic transition towards sustainable fuel supply and alternative fuels, focusing particularly on the gap between international regulatory targets and operational realities. Although the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set carbon emission reduction targets for 2030 and 2050, the practical implementation of these targets remains largely uncertain. Through 14 in-depth interviews with various industry professionals, including chief engineers, technical managers, fuel suppliers, academics, and interns, this study reveals the multifaceted barriers hindering a smooth “green transition.” The findings reveal a significant “reality gap” within the sector. Based on data collected from participants, the average readiness score is a low 4.43 out of 10. Three key obstacles emerge as critical “deal-breakers”: financial constraints, infrastructure deficiencies, and the marginalization of the human element. Financially, the “Green Premium” and high capital requirements for fleet renewal pose an existential crisis for medium-sized companies. Logistically, global port infrastructure received a critically low readiness score of 1.28 out of 5, pointing to a “logistical paralysis” for refueling nextgeneration ships. Additionally, this study highlights a deep disconnect regarding the workforce. There is 100% consensus among participants that seafarers' views are systematically ignored in strategic decision-making processes. This “top-down” approach, combined with “curriculum lag” in maritime education and increasing administrative burdens, is leading to a loss of motivation among the younger generation of maritime professionals. Consequently, this research reveals that for a successful transition, the industry must move beyond technical and capital-focused models and adopt a more inclusive, people-centered, and infrastructure-focused approach.