| dc.description.abstractEN | The maritime industry plays a critical role in global trade while also contributing significantly
to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In response, international and regional regulators have
introduced a range of measures aimed at improving ship energy efficiency and reducing
emissions, including the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), the Carbon Intensity
Indicator (CII), the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), and the FuelEU Maritime
regulation.
This thesis assesses the impact of energy-efficiency-related decisions on ship operations, with
particular emphasis on their interaction with operational practices, fuel consumption, and
regulatory compliance costs. A quantitative case study is carried out on an existing bulk carrier
using actual operational data obtained from noon reports. A Business-as-Usual (BAU) scenario
is established and benchmarked against alternative, mature energy-efficiency strategies,
including shore power implementation, biofuel use on EU voyages, hydrodynamic retrofit
devices, as well as combinations of these measures.
The results demonstrate that BAU operation becomes progressively unsustainable under
increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, whereas targeted technological and fuel-related
interventions substantially improve performance, reduce emissions, and enhance long-term
economic viability—particularly with respect to the vessel’s exposure to the evolving EU
regulatory framework. | el |