Path to Zero Emissions on Maritime Transport: A Multi-Criteria Perspective on Shipowners' Challenge

The International Maritime Organization has started some studies to reduce emissions from shipping to zero by 2050 and adopted this as a policy. However, discussions continue on the feasibility of this policy. When looking at the near future targets, medium-term, and 2050 targets, ship owners, seafarers, party states, and many other stakeholders are in for tough times. In this study, the challenges awaiting ship owners within the scope of the 2050 targets were evaluated using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), which is a multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM). The results showed that financial issues (33.6%) are a critical challenge and that innovations will bring a significant economic burden. Operational issues (19.2%) and access to new fuels (18.9%), the impact of new systems on operations difficulties in accessing fuels, and storage issues are in the 2nd and 3rd place. They are followed by competitive pressure (15.2%), and finally, compliance with new regulations (13.1) was found. Costs are of critical importance for the world economy. Therefore, financial problems must be overcome first. Achieving IMO's 2050 goals requires significant investments, new regulations, international collaborations, and great dedication.