Multi-criteria decision analysis for route prioritization of hydrogen shipping corridors to support maritime decarbonization

Abstract The maritime shipping industry is responsible for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, it faces growing regulatory and environmental pressure to shift towards cleaner alternative fuels. Green hydrogen, produced from renewable sources, is the possible alternative to change the maritime industry, as it represents a zero-emission alternative. Although hydrogen offers significant potential for maritime decarbonization, production costs limit its competitiveness. Considering the limitations, the purpose of this study is to prioritize international maritime cargo routes for hydrogen corridor deployment by assessing the feasibility of decarbonizing maritime cargo shipping routes between Türkiye and Hamburg using a multi-criteria decision analysis framework. Because the evaluation encompasses technical, operational, economic, and environmental factors, MCDA is necessary due to the complexity of the decision-making process. Route 2 is the most practical alternative according to the results of AHP and TOPSIS, mostly because of operational factors including engine number, refueling stops and port proximity. This suggests that while sustainability objectives (such as the Paris Agreement, CBAM) guide the shift, operational concerns play a key role in developing potential hydrogen deployment pathways. Using a simplified comparative emissions framework for route-level assessment, the results indicate that hydrogen-based pathways may contribute to lower-emission maritime transport, although operational and technical factors remain the primary drivers of route suitability. The findings show that policy objectives by themselves are insufficient to guarantee the adoption of hydrogen. It is essential that implementation strategies and route planning take operational requirements into account. Future research should look more closely at the challenges encountered in optimizing routes for the use of hydrogen in maritime transportation.