Understanding the core determinants of bunker supply vessel selection for maritime industry: an integrated fuzzy-AHP and fuzzy-TOPSIS approach

Purpose Selecting optimal bunker supply vessels (BSVs) is critical for shipping companies to enhance operational efficiency, control costs and meet environmental goals. This study identifies the core determinants of BSV selection to support informed decision-making in maritime logistics. Design/methodology/approach An integrated fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (fuzzy-AHP) and Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (fuzzy-TOPSIS) approach is employed. About eight industry experts evaluated 10 BSV alternatives based on 20 sub-criteria spanning economic, operational, environmental and technological dimensions, including fuel cost, bunker consumption, ship age, bunker capacity and technological equipment level. Findings Economic and operational criteria dominate BSV selection, with fuel cost (0.089 weight) and bunker consumption (0.077 weight) being the most influential. Vessels A6 and A2 ranked highest due to their fuel efficiency, large bunker capacity, fast discharge rates, low carbon footprint and advanced technology. The framework demonstrates significant impacts on operational and environmental performance. Originality/value Unlike prior studies focusing on bunker purchasing or port selection, this research uniquely integrates economic, operational, environmental and technological criteria using a hybrid fuzzy-AHP and fuzzy-TOPSIS approach. It addresses uncertainties in BSV selection, offering a novel decision-support framework for sustainable maritime logistics.