The DOI matches its Crossref record; 71 of the 71 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Decarbonization of Shipping and Progressing Towards Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions to Net Zero: A Bibliometric Analysis
Open accessAbstract
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the regulator for the safety and pollution prevention of ships. They have set an ambitious target of driving International Shipping to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2050 by the process of decarbonization of shipping. Decarbonization of shipping is integral to sustainability, as it can reduce GHG emissions and provide a clean environment in a world that is conducive to the good health and well-being of our future kith and kin. Decarbonization of shipping may be achieved using alternate low-carbon fuels, a more efficient ship operation to save energy, or redesigning the ship’s hull. The purpose of this article is to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the research papers conducted in the past decade on the initiatives adopted by the shipping industry to work towards the net-zero goal. This study utilizes the Scopus database, renowned for its extensive collection of scientific papers. Moreover, to analyze and visualize the data, the bibliometric software tools VOSviewer 1.6.20, Bibliometrix 4.4.0, and Harzings’ 8.17.4863 have been used. These tools facilitated the assessment of the research output in this bibliometric study. Our findings reveal a steady increase in publications over the years, with a notable rise in research interest from 2015 onward. The most frequently discussed topics include greenhouse gases, emission control, and energy efficiency, with notable contributions from the United Kingdom, China, and Scandinavian countries. The study also highlights the leading journals publishing about this research area. Future research directions include exploring alternative fuels and more inclusive policy frameworks for maritime decarbonization.
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In the citing paper
“Pilot diesel-type ammonia combustion marine engines have demonstrated successful operation with significantly reduced CO 2 emissions compared to conventional diesel engines.”
From Biofuels, E-Fuels, and Waste-Derived Fuels: Advances, Challenges, and Future Directions (2025) · cites this paper as [404]
In the citing paper
“Emerging technologies such as ammonia-fueled engines offer the potential for substantial decarbonization in sectors like maritime shipping by utilizing a carbon-free fuel, aligning with stringent emission reduction targets like the International Maritime Organization's goal for net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping close to 2050, although effective mitigation of NOx and unburnt”
From Biofuels, E-Fuels, and Waste-Derived Fuels: Advances, Challenges, and Future Directions (2025) · cites this paper as [404]
Citations
Cites
How to decarbonise international shipping: Options for fuels, technologies and policies
Balcombe, P., Brierley, J., Lewis, C., Skatvedt, L., Speirs, J. F., Hawkes, A. D., & Staffell, I. (2019) · Energy Conversion and Management · doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2018.12.080 · Cited by 779
Joung, T.-H., Kang, S.-G., Lee, J.-K., & Ahn, J. (2020) · Journal of International Maritime Safety Environmental Affairs and Shipping · doi:10.1080/25725084.2019.1707938 · Cited by 397
Global warming in the pipeline
Hansen, J. E., Sato, M., Simons, L., Nazarenko, L., Sangha, I., Kharecha, P. A., Zachos, J. C., von Schuckmann, K., Loeb, N. G., Osman, M., et al. (2023) · Oxford Open Climate Change · doi:10.1093/oxfclm/kgad008 · Cited by 377
Reduction in greenhouse gas and other emissions from ship engines: Current trends and future options
Aakko-Saksa, P. T., Lehtoranta, K., Kuittinen, N., Järvinen, A., Jalkanen, J.-P., Johnson, K. C., Jung, H., Ntziachristos, L. D., Gagné, S., 高橋, 千., et al. (2022) · Progress in Energy and Combustion Science · doi:10.1016/j.pecs.2022.101055 · Cited by 295
Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and cost by shipping at lower speeds
Lindstad, E., Asbjørnslett, B. E., & Strømman, A. H. (2011) · Energy Policy · doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2011.03.044 · Cited by 290
Decarbonizing the international shipping industry: Solutions and policy recommendations
Wan, Z., Makhloufi, A. E., Chen, Y., & Tang, J. (2017) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.064 · Cited by 193
Alamoush, A. S., Ballini, F., & Ölçer, A. I. (2021) · Journal of Shipping and Trade · doi:10.1186/s41072-021-00101-6 · Cited by 190
How can LNG-fuelled ships meet decarbonisation targets? An environmental and economic analysis
Balcombe, P., Staffell, I., Kerdan, I. G., Speirs, J. F., Brandon, N. P., & Hawkes, A. D. (2021) · Energy · doi:10.1016/j.energy.2021.120462 · Cited by 171
Alola, A. A., & Adebayo, T. S. (2023) · The Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164115 · Cited by 131
A review of corporate sustainability drivers in maritime ports: a multi-stakeholder perspective
Ashrafi, M., Walker, T. R., Magnan, G. M., Adams, M., & Acciaro, M. (2020) · Maritime Policy & Management · doi:10.1080/03088839.2020.1736354 · Cited by 130
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Yadav, 2023, Green Hydrogen for a Sustainable and ‘Aatmanirbhar’ India, Curr. Sci., 124, 143
- 2023, Evaluating the Economic Implications of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) on the Energy Supply Chain through Maritime Transport, J. Marit. Res., 20, 141
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Biofuels, E-Fuels, and Waste-Derived Fuels: Advances, Challenges, and Future Directions
Yılbaşı, Z. (2025) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su17136145 · Cited by 41
Metadata
- Authors
- Anantharaman, M., Sardar, A., & Islam, R.
- Affiliations
- Australian Maritime College (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Anantharaman, Mohan
- Venue
- Sustainability
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2025-03-26
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 2936
- ISSN
- 2071-1050 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4408848875
- Cited by
- 17
- References
- 71
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 6
- FWCI
- 4.73
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Sustainability (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Maritime Transport Emissions and Efficiency
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Ocean Engineering › Marine and Offshore Engineering Studies
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › International Maritime Law Issues
- Keywords
- maritime decarbonization, shipping greenhouse gas emissions, net-zero emissions, International Maritime Organization, low-carbon fuels, ship energy efficiency, emission control, hull design, maritime policy, research trends
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