A System Dynamics Model for CO2 Mitigation Strategies at a Container Seaport

Yuliya Mamatok,Chun Jin,Yingyi Huang,Xingqun Cheng

doi:10.3390/su11102806

Yuliya Mamatok, Chun Jin + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su11102806

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Abstract

With the rapid development of the container shipping industry, the mitigation of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from container seaport activities have become an urgent problem. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate dynamic problems in mitigation strategies at a container seaport. As a result, a system dynamics model for CO2 mitigation strategies at a container seaport was established. Three methods were combined to construct the system dynamics model: the activity-based method to estimate CO2 emissions; the representation of a container seaport as a system with several sub-systems; the system dynamics modeling for strategic decision-making in CO2 mitigation strategies. The key model component was the amount of CO2 emissions produced by container seaport activities. The other components represented container seaport operations and the main spots of CO2 concentration at berth, yard, gates, and region areas. Several CO2 mitigation strategies were included in the model to be simulated. The real case of Qingdao Port in China was used to simulate the scenarios of the current situation with CO2 emission amounts and the increasing container throughput. The other scenarios demonstrate the effects from CO2 mitigation strategies, such as operating time optimization, spatial measures, equipment modernization, and modal shift. The obtained results enable container seaport executives to evaluate which mitigation scenario is more effective for every container seaport area. The system dynamics model serves as a useful decision-making mechanism providing flexibility and variability in strategic planning.

Highlights

This research addresses the problem of CO2 emission dynamics at a container seaport from the strategic decision-making perspective
We developed the system dynamics (SD) model by combining three methodological approaches: (1) the activity-based approach of CO2 emissions estimation; (2) the system approach to the container seaport (CS) industry; and (3) SD modeling for the strategic decision-making of the mitigation policies
With the representation of a CS as a system that consists of several sub-systems and the application of the SD modeling, we constructed the model of CO2 emission dynamics at CS areas

Summary

Introduction

This research addresses the problem of CO2 emission dynamics at a container seaport from the strategic decision-making perspective. It combines the fields of the carbon foot-printing (CF) process, container seaport (CS) system, and system dynamics (SD) modeling into one integrative mechanism. The model enables strategic decision-makers to compare the effects from several mitigation strategies and to evaluate them in perspective. We can just refer to World Ports Climate Initiative guidance [4] and to the open reports of progressive low-carbon seaports, like the Port of Los Angeles [5] or Port of Rotterdam [6]. The research that integrates all the areas and steps of CF at a CS and enables decision-makers to evaluate CO2 mitigation strategies in dynamics is needed

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