Cost-effective and carbon policy-driven network design optimization for Green Maritime Corridors: Case studies in the Baltic, Mediterranean, and Pacific regions

Green Maritime Corridors (GMCs) are designated networks of shipping routes, ports, and supporting infrastructure intended to facilitate low- or zero-emission maritime operations, recognized as a key strategy to advance the decarbonization of the shipping industry. The optimal planning of shipping networks and the strategic deployment of bunkering stations for alternative-fueled vessels is critical to the realization of GMCs. In parallel, this decision-making process becomes increasingly complicated due to the evolving penalty-based carbon emission policies. Thus, integrating GMC network design with policy-driven economic considerations represents an important but still unexplored issue. In this paper, we develop an integrated cost-minimization optimization model for the GMC shipping network design and refueling station location problem. The model incorporates operational constraints, investment costs, alternative fuel costs, and emission costs, and is capable of assessing the feasibility. We utilize CPLEX to computationally solve the proposed Mixed-integer Linear Programming (MILP) model and provide (i) the optimized GMC shipping network, (ii) strategic bunkering infrastructure deployment, and (iii) associated cost structures in case studies of the Baltic, Mediterranean, and Pacific shipping routes. By accounting for carbon emission costs under different carbon policy scenarios, our results further quantify the investment return break-even point for GMCs for evaluating their long-term potential. • MILP model optimizes routes, alt-fuel fleet use, and port refueling for GMCs. • Dynamic carbon pricing policy is modeled to assess cost and investment impacts. • Real-world multi-region case tests confirm model scalability and robustness. • Ammonia and methanol are costly but competitive under carbon policy incentives.