A SWOT-AHP analysis on biodiesel as an alternative future marine fuel

Murat Bayraktar; Murat Pamik; Mustafa Sokukcu; Onur Yuksel

doi:10.1007/s10098-023-02501-7

A SWOT-AHP analysis on biodiesel as an alternative future marine fuel

Clean Technol Environ Policy. 2023 Mar 15:1-16. doi: 10.1007/s10098-023-02501-7. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Murat Bayraktar¹, Murat Pamik², Mustafa Sokukcu², Onur Yuksel¹

Affiliations

¹ Maritime Faculty, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
² Maritime Faculty, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey.

Abstract

Alternative fuels especially those produced in a green way are essential for meeting supplying the world's growing energy needs. Biodiesel is becoming more prominent to meet international maritime organization regulations, minimize reliance on fossil fuels, and lessen the rising harmful emissions in the maritime sector. Four different generations have been investigated in the production stage in which a wide range of fuel types have existed including biodiesel, bioethanol, and renewable diesel. To investigate all facets of biodiesel usage as a marine fuel, the SWOT-AHP method is utilized in this paper in which 16 maritime experts with an average of 10.5 years of experience participated. SWOT factors and sub-factors have been developed in light of the literature review focused on biomass and alternative fuels. The AHP method is utilized for data acquisition from specified factors and sub-factors according to their superiority to each other. The analysis demonstrates the main factors 'PW and sub-factors' IPW values, and CR values to calculate the local and global rank of factors. Results highlighted that "Opportunity" has the highest prominence among the main factors; however, "Threats" remain at the lowest level. Moreover, "Tax privilege on green and alternative fuels supported by the authorities" (O4) is the one with the highest weight compared to the other sub-factors. Noteworthy energy consumption will be fulfilled in the maritime industry in addition to the development of new-generation biodiesel and other alternative fuels. This paper will be a quite valuable resource for experts, academics, and industry stakeholders to lessen the ambiguity around biodiesel.

Keywords: Analytical hierarchy process; Biodiesel; Biomass; Marine vessels; SWOT.

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