Assessment Brief Maritime University Assignment.

Module Code: MAR506

Module Title: Sustainable Maritime Operations and Decarbonisation

Academic Level: Masters (Level 7)

Credit Value: 20 credits

Academic Year: 2025–26

Word Count: 4000 words ±10%

Assessment Title:

Assessment Task 2 – Critical Research Report on Maritime Decarbonisation and Regulatory Frameworks

Submission Deadline:

15 May 2026 (or as per module timetable)

Assessment Overview:

Produce a structured, formal academic research report of 4000 words that critically evaluates the development, implementation, and operational impact of maritime decarbonisation strategies and regulatory measures. The report must:

• Examine international regulatory frameworks (e.g., IMO GHG Strategy 2023 and successor policies) and regional policy initiatives (UK, EU, Australia, USA).

• Assess the operational viability of alternative fuels, zero-carbon propulsion technologies, and energy efficiency advancements.

• Critically analyse case studies across major shipping sectors (e.g., container, tanker, bulk carriers).

• Identify barriers (technical, economic, human factors) and recommend evidence-based interventions for sustainable shipping operations.
  (This reflects actual UK and global maritime masters assessment expectations.)

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

The submission must demonstrate the ability to:

1. Critically evaluate international regulations and maritime emissions reduction frameworks.

2. Analyse emerging low/zero-carbon technologies within commercial shipping contexts.

3. Assess economic and operational barriers to sustainable practices.

4. Propose coherent, evidence-based strategic recommendations.
   (Common LO structure for research reports in maritime postgraduate modules.)

Task Requirements

Structure (Required Sections):

1. Executive Summary

2. Introduction and Scope

3. Literature Review and Policy Context

4. Analysis of Technologies and Alternative Fuels

5. Regulatory Framework Review (International & Regional)

6. Case Studies

7. Barriers to Implementation

8. Strategic Recommendations

9. Conclusion and Future Research Directions

Formatting and Submission Standards

• Font: Times New Roman 12pt; Spacing: 1.5; Margins: Standard University defaults

• Referencing: Harvard style with minimum 20 academic sources (primarily post-2019 peer-reviewed)

• Submission platform: University VLE/Turnitin upload as PDF
  (Follows conventions seen in maritime masters programmes.)

Assessment Marking Criteria / Rubric

Maritime decarbonisation remains at the core of the industry’s efforts to align with global climate targets. Operational measures such as slow steaming, weather routing optimisation, and retrofitting energy-efficient technologies have yielded measurable emission reductions, yet the transition to alternative fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen, and e-methanol presents integration challenges across supply chains. Regulatory drivers like the IMO’s updated GHG Strategy and EU Fit-for-55 measures extend compliance requirements beyond traditional boundaries and introduce differentiated regional impacts on shipping economics. Comparative analysis of fuel adoption cases reveals that LNG retrofits provide intermediate emission benefits but fall short of net-zero pathways, whereas green ammonia’s lifecycle emissions depend heavily on the availability of renewable energy sources at bunkering hubs. Cost-benefit analysis shows that infrastructure investment and crew upskilling pose non-trivial barriers, suggesting the need for policy incentives that balance decarbonisation mandates with economic viability

Garcia, B., Foerster, A. and Lin, J. (2021)
Net zero for the international shipping sector? An analysis of the implementation and regulatory challenges of the IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emissions. Journal of Environmental Law, 33(1), pp. 85–112.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jel/eqa029

Bach, H. and Hansen, T. (2023)
IMO off course for decarbonisation of shipping? Three challenges for stricter policy. Marine Policy, 148, 105382.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105382

Santos, V.A. dos, Pereira da Silva, P. and Serrano, L.M.V. (2022)
The maritime sector and its problematic decarbonization: A systematic review of the contribution of alternative fuels. Energies, 15(10), 3571.
https://doi.org/10.3390/en15103571

Ghoneim, N., Colak, A.T. and Amer, A. (2023)
Exploring the regulatory framework of maritime decarbonization to achieve IMO GHG emission targets. Port-Said Engineering Research Journal, 27(2), pp. 1–14.
https://journals.ekb.eg/article_300697.html