Multi-criteria feature selection on maritime emission abatement alternatives

To comply with MARPOL Annex VI, stakeholders face multi-criteria decision-making in technology selection. This study provides an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-based method to support stakeholders in selecting emission abatement technology aligned with their business demands, taking into account a range of sustain- ability criteria. The analysis reveals that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to technology selection. Low-sulfur fuel oil and LNG are preferable alternative fuels for large-size commercial (long-sea shipping) vessels due to their better capacity storage savings, while a dual-fuel engine offers flexibility in fuel changeover. Electrification offers zero-emission performance, lower noise levels, and peak energy solutions benefiting cruise ships and short- distance or harbor boats, but tugboats need greener diesel to meet performance criteria. From a policy perspective, our model provides insights into the effects of green transition processes in Norway and Singapore on stakeholders' decisions with respect to port infrastructure and land transport at the portside.