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Algorithmic Captains and Absent Voices : Confronting Exclusion and Doctrinal Disruption in Maritime Decarbonization

Öztürk, Anil LU orcid ; Rudall, Jason ; Jiménez García-Carriazo, Ángeles and Sundararajan, Suriya Narayanan (2026)
Abstract
Maritime decarbonization is not only a technical task; it is also a governance challenge. This chapter argues that decarbonization measures are more likely to be durable when those most affected can meaningfully influence how the transition is shaped. It first outlines the legal framework for regulating shipping emissions under UNCLOS, the international climate regime, and the IMO’s work through MARPOL Annex VI. It then examines power imbalances in IMO decision-making, where seafarers, port and coastal communities, and many Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) remain under-represented. The IMO’s Regulatory Scoping Exercise on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) is used to show how limited capacity... (More)
Maritime decarbonization is not only a technical task; it is also a governance challenge. This chapter argues that decarbonization measures are more likely to be durable when those most affected can meaningfully influence how the transition is shaped. It first outlines the legal framework for regulating shipping emissions under UNCLOS, the international climate regime, and the IMO’s work through MARPOL Annex VI. It then examines power imbalances in IMO decision-making, where seafarers, port and coastal communities, and many Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) remain under-represented. The IMO’s Regulatory Scoping Exercise on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) is used to show how limited capacity can translate into limited influence. The chapter also argues that fragmentation between environmental, labor, and human rights regimes leaves ‘just transition’ concerns weakly institutionalized in maritime governance. Drawing on examples from the EU and selected national approaches, it shows that more participatory models are possible and may support implementation. Finally, it examines how autonomous shipping and AI challenge core assumptions of maritime law, including rules built around a human master and lookout and liability frameworks that rely on clear standards of foreseeability and causation. The chapter concludes by identifying reform pathways toward more transparent and people-centered maritime decarbonization governance. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
in press
subject
keywords
Maritime decarbonisation, Climate justice, Just transition, MASS, IMO, Environmental law, Miljörätt
host publication
People-centred Transition in Maritime Decarbonization & Climate Justice
editor
Johansson, Tafsir Matin ; Triantafillou, Christina and Pastra, Aspasia
publisher
Palgrave Macmillan
project
Sustainable Carbon Capture, Transportation and Storage: Liability and Governance Aspects in Light of International and EU Law
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
4306313f-60e9-488d-a7d9-b760c84a7d99
date added to LUP
2026-09-30 18:04:33
date last changed
2026-10-01 07:15:32
@inbook{4306313f-60e9-488d-a7d9-b760c84a7d99,
  abstract     = {{Maritime decarbonization is not only a technical task; it is also a governance challenge. This chapter argues that decarbonization measures are more likely to be durable when those most affected can meaningfully influence how the transition is shaped. It first outlines the legal framework for regulating shipping emissions under UNCLOS, the international climate regime, and the IMO’s work through MARPOL Annex VI. It then examines power imbalances in IMO decision-making, where seafarers, port and coastal communities, and many Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) remain under-represented. The IMO’s Regulatory Scoping Exercise on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) is used to show how limited capacity can translate into limited influence. The chapter also argues that fragmentation between environmental, labor, and human rights regimes leaves ‘just transition’ concerns weakly institutionalized in maritime governance. Drawing on examples from the EU and selected national approaches, it shows that more participatory models are possible and may support implementation. Finally, it examines how autonomous shipping and AI challenge core assumptions of maritime law, including rules built around a human master and lookout and liability frameworks that rely on clear standards of foreseeability and causation. The chapter concludes by identifying reform pathways toward more transparent and people-centered maritime decarbonization governance.}},
  author       = {{Öztürk, Anil and Rudall, Jason and Jiménez García-Carriazo, Ángeles and Sundararajan, Suriya Narayanan}},
  booktitle    = {{People-centred Transition in Maritime Decarbonization & Climate Justice}},
  editor       = {{Johansson, Tafsir Matin and Triantafillou, Christina and Pastra, Aspasia}},
  keywords     = {{Maritime decarbonisation; Climate justice; Just transition; MASS; IMO; Environmental law; Miljörätt}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  publisher    = {{Palgrave Macmillan}},
  title        = {{Algorithmic Captains and Absent Voices : Confronting Exclusion and Doctrinal Disruption in Maritime Decarbonization}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}