Sustainability in maritime transport: Selecting ballast water treatment for a bulk carrier

Emir Ejder; Bulut Ozan Ceylan; Mehmet Serdar Celik; Yasin Arslanoğlu

doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106511

Sustainability in maritime transport: Selecting ballast water treatment for a bulk carrier

Mar Environ Res. 2024 Apr 14:106511. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106511. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Emir Ejder¹, Bulut Ozan Ceylan², Mehmet Serdar Celik³, Yasin Arslanoğlu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Tuzla, 34940, Istanbul, Turkey.
² Department of Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering, Bandirma Onyedi Eylül University, Bandirma, 10200, Balikesir, Turkey.
³ Department of Maritime Business Administration, Bandirma Onyedi Eylül University, Bandirma, 10200, Balikesir, Turkey.
⁴ Department of Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Tuzla, 34940, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: arslanoglu@itu.edu.tr.

PMID: 38622042
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106511

Abstract

The study provides a comprehensive assessment of ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) selection regarding crucial parameters such as energy efficiency, fuel consumption, and CO₂ emissions. The focus of the study is investigating the environmental impacts of BWTS and how these impacts can be considered in decision-making processes. In this context, it comprehensively analyzes the importance of decision-making parameters and the environmental consequences of BWTS applications. The potential impacts of the system on the sustainability of the maritime industry are highlighted. In this context, seven different BWTSs for a bulk carrier of 83,000 deadweight tonnes are evaluated using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Preference Ranking Technique by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). According to the analysis, Operational Expenditure (0.314508), Capital Expenditure (0.249515), and Capacity (0.159952) are the most critical factors. Among the seven systems analysed, product G (0.8561137) emerges as the most suitable option. The analysis represents 3% of total emissions (456.5 tonnes CO₂) and highlights the impact of BWTS on CO₂ emissions. The results underline the need for innovative approaches aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the maritime industry.

Keywords: AHP-TOPSIS; Ballast water treatment; Fuel consumption; Marine pollution; Ship emission.