Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Maritime Affairs

Specialization

Ph.D (Maritime Affairs)

Campus

Malmö, Sweden

Abstract

Despite being excluded from most climate change treaties, the maritime sector is expected to manage and reduce carbon emissions in line with global decarbonization goals. Although the IMO's effort has been evident by the adoption of energy regulations and the GHG strategy during the past decade, however, the effectiveness and adequacy of the adopted energy policy remain questionable. This thesis aims to identify problems associated with energy policy in the shipping industry and propose appropriate solutions. Initially, this study was premised on the hypothesis that “energy policy in the shipping industry involves problems associated with policy design, policy implementation, and policy gaps”. In order to test this hypothesis, a theoretical approach incorporating policy process theory, policy implementation theory, as well as a systems thinking tool was employed. A conceptual framework based on a fivestep policy analysis was developed to serve as a link between theories and methods. With a focus on ship operations, the energy policy analysis examined the IMO's GHG strategy, current and future energy regulations, as well as voluntary initiatives. Policy analysis provided a framework to identify policy problems and alternative policy solutions, compare policy options, and select the most appropriate policy options. A mixed approach including qualitative and quantitative methods was utilized to identify policy problems and demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed solutions. Three categories of policy challenges have been identified: problems in policy design and implementation; uncertainties in regulations; and policy gaps. The following policy issues were identified: SEEMP ineffectiveness, ineffective port incentive programs, low potential of EPL in CO2 reduction, no active implementation role for PSC, issues with data collection and data reliability, problems with the CII formula and calculations, and postponement of MBM implementation. In response to these issues, the following solutions were recommended: enforcement of energy management system in shipping companies, a global port incentive program focused solely on CO2 reduction as a rebate mechanism for the future MBM, voyage-based data collection and verification, voyage-based speed control, voyage-based CII calculation, and a differentiated bunker levy as the future MBM in shipping. The final policy framework, which is presented in the form of a differentiated bunker levy, incorporates all the selected policies. With a high level of transparency, the proposed MBM could be initiated at a lower tax rate and therefore face less resistance during the adoption process. The proposed MBM was shown to be technically and economically feasible. As a result of voyagebased data collection, a highly reliable dataset would be generated with a reduced risk of data manipulation. This would allow the use of the dataset in other solutions, such as voyage-based speed control and voyage-based CII calculations. Consequently, the proposed MBM can serve as a live carbon-tracking mechanism to provide the highest level of transparency.

Comments

ISBN: 978-91-988968-9-3

To be published

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