Towards Zero-Emission Shipping: Emerging Innovations and Regulatory Frameworks Supporting Sustainable Development in the Maritime Sector

This thesis examines the global maritime industry’s green transition as it rapidly shifts from a fossil-fuel-dependent transport model to a decarbonized future. Driven by stringent environmental mandates like the European Union’s Emissions Trading System, the FuelEU Maritime regulation, and the International Maritime Organization's Net-Zero Framework, the sector is accelerating its adoption of sustainable, zero-emission technologies. To achieve these ambitious climate targets and legally comply with strict limits on fuel carbon intensity, major shipping lines are investing heavily in alternative clean energy solutions, including green methanol, dual-fuel engines, and wind-assisted propulsion. However, the research also highlights the uneven pace of this ecological shift, noting that smaller regional vessels face significant infrastructural and spatial barriers to integrating green technology. Ultimately, this thesis demonstrates how the maritime green transition is fundamentally reshaping fleet operations, necessitating massive global investments in alternative fuel infrastructure to successfully build a sustainable, net-zero supply chain.