Decarbonizing maritime shipping: A comparative analysis of sustainable energy transitions in Finland and Sweden

The future of global trade and international transport depends on maritime shipping. Yet maritime shipping accounts for 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is fossil fuel-dependent. The International Maritime Organization aims for net-zero GHG emissions around 2050. Finland and Sweden are front-runners in sustainable energy transitions to decarbonize maritime shipping. This paper presents a comparative analysis for decarbonizing maritime short-sea shipping in Finland and Sweden, using company case studies, to assess emission reduction potentials, policies, business models and economic implications for scaling-up the use of low-carbon technologies and fuels. The paper is based on qualitative data from interviews and document analysis, and applies a combined conceptual framework of sustainable business models and the multi-level perspective (MLP). The paper provides insights into the decarbonization dynamics in maritime shipping in Finland and Sweden, and concludes that considerable emission reductions are possible due to biofuels, electric ferries, wind-assisted systems and hydrogen-based ferries. Sweden plans using a wider variety of technologies and fuels, including hydrogen and electric ferries, whereas biofuels are more prominently used in Finland. Finland is a global leader in biofuel production whereas Sweden has a high share of affordable low carbon electricity that enables green hydrogen production, electrofuel production and the electrification of maritime shipping. This research identifies solutions for decreasing the emissions in short-sea shipping with various niche technologies as tightened environmental regulations open windows of opportunities for low-carbon fuels and technologies.