Identification of economic incentives for the electrification of river and maritime modes: proposal for the Colombian Case

Abstract

The transportation sector's significant contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily through fossil fuel consumption by motorized vehicles, remains a critical concern. In this industry, maritime transportation independently contributes to 2.89% of total global greenhouse gas emissions, displaying a persistent upward trend even in the face of enhanced efficiency measures implemented in port facilities and vessel operations. In response to this urgent concern, nations and international organizations have been formulating approaches aimed at mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in this transportation sector, encompassing the implementation of economic incentives. This article presents the findings of an exploratory-descriptive research endeavor, which aims to identify incentive policies implemented across various countries to expedite the adoption of electromobility in maritime and river transportation, thereby reducing GHG emissions from vessels. Data was gathered from authorized government websites, various organizations, maritime and river transport companies, and port authorities in each respective nation. Furthermore, this study classifies the incentives according to their methodologies and conducts a comparative analysis with the existing landscape in Colombia regarding the adoption of economic incentives for electrifying river transportation within the country. Through this analysis, some insights and recommendations can be derived to promote sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices in Colombia's river and maritime transportation sectors.