Unveiling seafarers' awareness and knowledge on energy-efficient and low-carbon shipping: A decade of IMO regulation enforcement

The shipping industry contributes to global CO2 emissions, raising concerns about its environmental impact and the need for energy-efficient (EE) and low-carbon (LC) shipping practices. This study aims to discover how seafarers are aware, knowledgeable, motivated, and dedicated to the EE and LC shipping processes after a decade of enforcement of IMO regulations. With a purposive sampling strategy, 262 active seafarers from diverse backgrounds and 41 shipping companies from 24 countries were sampled. A mixed-methods survey was conducted to determine seafarers' awareness and knowledge about EE regulations and measures to adopt them onboard ships. This study unveils seafarers' commendable awareness of environmental impacts in EE and LC ship operations. Social media platforms are becoming increasingly popular in recent years among seafarers as a knowledge source, while traditional sources have diminished in importance. Male seafarers demonstrate higher awareness and knowledge of EE and LC shipping compared to their female counterparts. Experience positively correlates with knowledge levels, emphasizing the importance of long-term service in the maritime industry. Most seafarers have consistent beliefs regarding carbon emissions mitigation, but only 47% show significant engagement. Meanwhile 76% believe that financial incentives and formal recognitions motivate ship crews to participate actively in carbon emissions mitigation. In the maritime industry, tailored training strategies are essential for addressing knowledge gaps and promoting sustainable practices. To better understand seafarers' awareness and knowledge of EE and LC ship operations in relation to their gender, age, experience, and positions, we conducted this investigation following a decade-old study of Banks et al. [1]. Policymakers can understand the trends by comparing seafarers' awareness and knowledge in these areas. Continuous education and training programs are crucial in order to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly EE and LC practices in the maritime industry. Furthermore, our study identified areas for improving the human element to ensure sustainable maritime practices by increasing EE and LC ship operations.