Exploring the Carbon Abatement Strategies in Shipping Using System Dynamics Approach

Abstract

Amid growing global concerns about climate change and its environmental impact, the maritime sector is under increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions. This study presents a system dynamics model that predicts and simulates vessel carbon emissions, considering different scenarios such as the implementation of carbon levies and the use of alternative marine fuels. The research focuses on the Pacific route, a key international container route, as a practical case study to simulate ship emissions along the Shanghai-Los Angeles container route under various emission reduction measures. Through a comparative analysis of different policy combinations, the findings demonstrate the effectiveness of carbon taxation and the adoption of diverse fuels in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from ships. Furthermore, the combination of these policies proves to be more effective in reducing emissions than implementing them individually. These results provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry professionals, and researchers working towards achieving low-carbon transitions in the shipping sector.