Blockchain for LBG Maritime Energy Contracting and Value Chain Management: A Green Shipping Business Model for Seaports

Abstract

To reduce emissions in the maritime transport sector, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) follows a global clean shipping strategy. Among the different directives of IMO, currently especially the sulphur emission regulations pose challenges for the shipping industry. Related to this are the established Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) and the introduced global sulphur cap. To comply with the sulphur restrictions, according to the present technological state of the art, ship-owners have three options for their existing fleet: the installation of emission abatement technologies, the switch to low sulphur fuels, or retrofitting for the usage of alternative fuels. Regardless which option is favoured, most often selected solutions still depend on fossil fuels. The reasons for this can be traced back to the fact that supply of biofuels is not ensured in ports and generally seen as no profitable solution. This paper develops and examines an innovative business model with a special focus on liquefied biogas (LBG). The study bases on collected qualitative and quantitative data, which was used by applying the Business Model Canvas. The results will highlight that the business model bears the potential to promote LBG supply. Next to this, the research will show that blockchain and smart contracts are able to foster the implementation of the business model and optimisation of value chain operations. Lastly, economic advantages were highlighted within a case study that refers to the seaport Karlskrona in Sweden and the RoPax ferries from Stena Line that travel back and forth to Gdynia seaport in Poland.

Towards Green and Smart Seaports: Renewable Energy and Automation Technologies for Bulk Cargo Loading Operations

“…Hence, new approaches for ships and ports are required to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and realise greener maritime operations [28]. An important instrument for hoisting sustainability gains in the maritime sector lies in digitalisation [9]- [12], whereby the improvement potentials heavily depend on the regional (digital) technological readiness and innovation potential [29], [30].…”

“…The case study seaport of Wismar is a comprehensive port according to the analogy of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). This means that the port of Wismar can be classified as a medium-sized or regional seaport [9], [12], [20]. According to the study of Philipp [22], the port achieved a result concerning the 'digital readiness index for ports' (i.e.…”

“…This dimension of geographically concentrated activities is the rationale that ports are characterised by a high-energy demand [7] and a high share of emissions. As a consequence of growing public awareness for a cleaner environment, a stronger focus on sustainability and intensified environmental regulations [8], nowadays ports are forced to take responsibility when it comes to environmental protection and underlying pollution problems [9]- [15]. This requires a holistic green and sustainable management, where the focus is on reducing environmental pollution stemming from operations at ports.…”

“…An important driving factor towards greener maritime operations is linked to digitalisation [2], [9]- [12]. As stressed by Iris and Lam [19], climate change mitigation is a key target for the port industry, whereby the use of innovative technologies appears as a critical conduit in achieving a transition from a carbon-intensive port industry to a low-carbon port model by harnessing renewable energy, alternative fuels, smarter power distribution systems, energy consumption measurement systems.…”

Application of IoT Technologies in Seaport Management

“…In addition, roads also play a role in receiving and distributing goods, and current studies on transport routing and route selection are also very important for seaports [16][17][18]. In order to optimize the work of the seaport, IoT is considered an effective solution to resolve the seaport problem as well as effectively increase productivity [19] [20]. According to Belfkih et al [21], IoT was the next development step of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN).…”