Artificial intelligence in the service of sustainable shipping

Abstract Shipping constitutes an international endeavor that undoubtedly encapsulates one of the most crucial industries of our time. Owing to shipping, societies can enjoy a variety of goods, effectively transported from one place to another throughout the world, heavily contributing to the global economy and competitive advantages, so much so that Smith and Ricardo would be most proud; yet, the surge of interest in cost minimization and the systemic and traditional focus on accounting costs (that societies are less willing to absorb) have allotted an industry, which is imperative due to its globalized nature, but on the other hand, the said nature has caused negative externalities, including extensive environmental pollution and hazards for human and ecosystemic health. As the contemporary paradigm is one of self-regulated industries, which acknowledge that profitability goes hand in hand with sustainability, in recent years, shipping strives to align itself with sustainability initiatives. This paper provides, through a structured literature review and the use of qualitative data analysis software, the current sustainability practices that influence the shipping industry, to provide a topology as to the hurdles and opportunities that sustainability is yet to face.