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1. The Connotation and Strategic Value of Clean Marine Logistics Model
The Clean Marine Operations & Logistics System (C-MOLS) is a new paradigm for marine transportation development centered on green low-carbon, digitalization, and energy integration. This model constructs a three-dimensional operational system of “green ships + intelligent shipping routes + renewable energy supply systems” to form an efficient, clean, and intelligent transportation network in the marine transportation field.
Under the triple strategic synergy of the “dual carbon” strategic goals, the accelerated digital transformation of the global shipping industry, and the deep implementation of transportation energy integration policies, the clean marine logistics system is highlighting its innovative value and strategic significance. On November 27, 2024, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the “Action Plan for Effectively Reducing Logistics Costs in Society,” which clearly states that by 2027, the ratio of total social logistics costs to GDP should strive to be reduced to around 13.5%. The C-MOLS model is an important innovative path to achieve this goal. Research results indicate that the modern shipping network based on new energy-powered ships can achieve a 75% reduction in carbon intensity indicators over the entire lifecycle compared to traditional heavy oil power systems; by constructing an intelligent shipping digital twin system and using big data-driven multi-objective optimization algorithms, ship scheduling efficiency can be improved by 32.5% (confidence interval 95%±1.8%), while the energy consumption intensity per unit of cargo turnover can be reduced by 18.7%. This innovative model perfectly aligns with the “Guiding Opinions on the Development of Intelligent Shipping,” which proposes a “green, intelligent, and efficient” three-in-one development paradigm, providing a replicable Chinese solution for the low-carbon transformation of the global shipping industry.
2. Synergistic Development with the “Dual Carbon” Strategy
1. Green Energy-Driven Marine Logistics Infrastructure
Under the global carbon neutrality strategy framework, the marine logistics system is undergoing a paradigm reconstruction of infrastructure centered on clean energy technology. As a key subsystem of modern transportation networks, its transformation path focuses on breakthroughs in new energy ship technology and innovations in port energy systems, forming low-carbon logistics solutions that link land and sea.
The core carrier of clean marine logistics is new energy ships, such as electric vessels. The promotion of these ships not only represents the future direction of marine logistics but is also a key measure to achieve the “dual carbon” goals. Currently, the global demand for clean energy is increasing day by day, and the application of new energy ships reflects this trend. In coastal ports, ship charging facilities paired with offshore wind power, wave energy, and other renewable energy sources can achieve energy self-sufficiency, significantly reducing dependence on traditional fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.
Moreover, the construction of green port facilities is also an important component of the greening of marine logistics infrastructure. The architectural design of ports uses green building materials and energy-saving technologies to reduce energy consumption; at the same time, ports are developed in a three-dimensional manner to improve land and space utilization efficiency, providing infrastructure support for the sustainable development of the marine economy.
2. Intensive Transportation Network Promoting Low-Carbon Shipping
In the global shipping industry’s decarbonization process, breaking the high carbon lock-in effect relies on optimizing the topological structure of the transportation network and the deep integration of intelligent control technologies. Empirical research based on life cycle assessment (LCA) shows that the carbon emission intensity of traditional fuel ships is as high as 32.6gCO₂/ton-km, while under the clean marine logistics model, the intensive shipping system can achieve a multiplier effect in carbon footprint reduction through technological management collaborative innovation.
The application of intelligent energy management systems can further enhance energy utilization efficiency. Through digital technologies, real-time monitoring and analysis of ship energy consumption can optimize the ship’s sailing speed and energy distribution, such as dynamically adjusting power output based on the ship’s load and route conditions to avoid energy waste. This intelligent management can not only reduce operating costs but also provide technical support for the sustainable development of marine logistics.
3. Carbon Sinks and Ecological Compensation Mechanisms
The ecological friendliness of clean marine logistics is also reflected in the protection of the marine ecological environment. For example, in ecologically sensitive marine areas, by adopting clean energy ships and optimizing shipping routes, the impact of ship noise and pollutant emissions on marine life can be reduced. At the same time, combined with marine ecological restoration and other application scenarios, clean marine logistics projects can effectively offset their carbon emissions, achieving carbon neutrality goals.
The introduction of carbon trading pilots provides economic incentives for the application of low-carbon technologies in the marine logistics field. By incorporating clean marine logistics projects into the carbon market, companies can convert carbon reduction amounts into economic benefits, encouraging more enterprises to participate in the research and application of low-carbon technologies. This market mechanism not only promotes technological innovation but also provides economic motivation for achieving the “dual carbon” goals.
3. Deep Integration with Digitalization Strategy
1. Digital Planning and Construction
The application of digital technologies provides strong support for the planning and construction of marine logistics infrastructure. Digital twin technology uses BIM (Building Information Modeling) and GIS (Geographic Information System) to create three-dimensional models of ports, ships, and surrounding sea areas, optimizing port layout, ship design, and route planning. The construction of the smart port’s “marine logistics brain” platform can integrate data from all facilities and ships within the port, achieving visual management of port operations and intelligent planning of shipping routes, thereby improving port operational efficiency and safety.
The deployment of intelligent perception systems further enhances facility management efficiency. Through AI and IoT technologies, real-time monitoring of energy consumption, ship status, and marine meteorological data can be conducted to promptly identify and resolve issues. This data not only provides a basis for dynamic management but also supports long-term maintenance and optimization of facilities, achieving intelligent management of marine logistics infrastructure.
2. Intelligent Operations and Services
The digital management of the marine logistics network is key to achieving efficient operations. A unified marine logistics management platform integrates data on ship routes, marine weather, and cargo information to enable intelligent scheduling and real-time monitoring. This model, similar to a “marine version of Didi,” can not only improve ship utilization, reduce empty sailing rates, and lower operating costs but also enhance the timeliness and reliability of cargo transportation.
The application of AI and big data can further optimize logistics services. By predicting cargo transportation demand and route weather conditions through algorithms, reasonable arrangements for ship sailing plans and cargo loading and unloading can be made, improving the precision and efficiency of logistics services.
3. New Digital Consumption Scenarios
Smart marine cultural tourism is an important application scenario for the integration of clean marine logistics and digitalization strategy. By combining AR/VR technologies, immersive marine tour experiences can be provided for tourists, such as virtual ship driving and marine ecological virtual sightseeing, promoting the digital upgrade of marine cultural tourism consumption. At the same time, through digital platforms, tourists can access real-time information on ship locations, route information, and marine tourism products, facilitating travel planning and consumption.
The application of blockchain technology ensures the transparency and traceability of logistics information. By recording cargo information, carbon emission data, and other details during the shipping process, blockchain technology can enhance data credibility and provide reliable data support for logistics supervision and carbon trading, ensuring the safety, transparency, and sustainable development of marine logistics.
4. Synergistic Development with Energy Integration Policies
Under the guidance of the “dual carbon” goals, the transportation industry is undergoing a profound green transformation. On April 25, the Ministry of Transport and ten other departments jointly issued the “Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Integration of Transportation and Energy Development,” which points out the direction for the integrated development of transportation and energy, bringing new opportunities and challenges for the electrification of ships. After the release of the guiding opinions, at a press conference held on May 20 by the Ministry of Transport, relevant departments focused on the integration of transportation and energy development, announcing five core measures including infrastructure upgrades, policy support systems, application scenario expansion, equipment technology upgrades, and research and development support, aiming to inject strong momentum into the green transportation system and promote the transportation industry towards a low-carbon and efficient new stage.
1. Integration of Renewable Energy and Marine Logistics
The energy integration policy emphasizes the coordinated development of energy and transportation, and clean marine logistics actively responds to this policy, achieving deep integration of renewable energy and marine logistics. Renewable energy generation facilities, such as offshore wind farms and wave energy generation, are constructed in marine areas to provide green electricity for ports and ships. At the same time, the development of V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) technology allows ships to return excess electricity to the grid while docked, achieving bidirectional energy flow, improving energy utilization efficiency, and reducing dependence on traditional grids.
2. Coordination of Energy Relay Networks
The Ministry of Transport has pointed out the need to build a more complete planning system for transportation and energy infrastructure, promoting the construction of charging (swapping) stations for road and waterway transport, and strengthening coordination with grid planning. The range and convenience of refueling for new energy ships have always been key factors restricting their development. In the C-MOLS model, by constructing shore-based charging and swapping stations, mobile charging and swapping ships, and deep-sea charging and swapping platforms, the layout extends from nearshore to deep sea, further expanding the coverage of electric ships and achieving multi-dimensional energy replenishment for new energy ships, effectively alleviating the range anxiety of ships during long-distance voyages.
3. Policy Support and Industry Coordination
The government’s energy integration policy provides policy support and guidance for the development of clean marine logistics. By introducing relevant policies, enterprises are encouraged to invest in new energy ships, smart ports, and renewable energy projects, offering financial subsidies, tax incentives, and other policy incentives. At the same time, promoting cross-industry cooperation among energy companies, logistics companies, technology firms, and port operators forms an industrial ecological closed loop of “renewable energy – marine logistics – digital technology,” jointly promoting the synergistic development of clean marine logistics and energy integration policies.
5. Policy and Industry Coordination Pathways
1. Top-Level Design Integration
The top-level design of policies is an important guarantee for promoting the development of clean marine logistics. Incorporating the clean marine logistics model into local 14th Five-Year Plans, green development special plans, and energy integration-related policy documents clarifies its status as an important application scenario for “dual carbon,” digitalization, and energy integration. At the same time, establishing green standards for marine logistics (such as ship carbon emission intensity), digital interface specifications (such as data sharing agreements), and energy integration technology standards provides a basis for the standardized and regulated development of the industry.
2. Support for Technological Innovation
Technological innovation is the core driving force for promoting the development of clean marine logistics. Supporting the research and development of new energy ship batteries, marine navigation communication technologies, and digital management technologies to break through the bottlenecks of green energy and digitalization. For example, increasing investment in the research and development of electric ships to improve their range and load capacity, expanding their application scenarios. At the same time, establishing “dual carbon + digitalization + energy integration” clean marine logistics demonstration zones in coastal areas and important shipping channels to promote successful experiences and advanced technologies.
3. Industrial Ecological Coordination
Cross-industry cooperation is an important pathway for promoting the development of clean marine logistics. Encouraging energy companies (such as State Grid, new energy companies), logistics companies, technology firms, and port operating companies to jointly participate in clean marine logistics projects forms a closed loop of “green energy – smart logistics – digital technology – port operations.” While effectively reducing logistics costs, it can also stimulate the rapid development of new business formats, such as “ship dismantling + electrification renewal” business innovation, achieving efficient resource recovery based on green dismantling concepts; at the same time, exploring low-carbon development paths, providing low-carbon circular utilization solutions for the entire lifecycle of ships, forming a dismantling – recycling – reuse closed-loop system, leading the ship industry towards a green low-carbon and electrification renewal direction.
At the same time, issuing green bonds, energy integration special bonds, and carbon financial products to support the construction of clean marine logistics projects, exploring the combination of ESG investment and clean marine logistics to enhance the financing capacity and sustainable development capability of projects.
6. Challenges and Solutions
1. Technological Bottlenecks
The range of new energy ships, the construction of energy replenishment facilities, and battery recycling technologies are currently major technological bottlenecks. Solutions include increasing research and development efforts for electric ships and long-range batteries, promoting the standardized construction and layout of clean energy replenishment stations, and establishing a complete battery recycling system. For example, by establishing a regional clean energy replenishment network, the operational efficiency of electric ships can be improved; by introducing battery recycling policies, enterprises can be encouraged to participate in battery recycling, reducing recycling costs.
2. Marine Area Management
The immaturity of low-altitude digital marine area management systems is another major challenge restricting the development of clean marine logistics. Learning from international advanced experiences, accelerating the construction of marine communication navigation monitoring (CNS) systems, and establishing a unified marine area management platform to achieve real-time monitoring of ships and intelligent planning of routes can improve the efficiency and safety of marine area management. For example, through satellite communication and radar monitoring technologies, real-time tracking of ship locations and navigation statuses can be achieved to avoid conflicts and accidents in marine areas.
3. Data Security
Clean marine logistics involves a large amount of sensitive data, such as ship locations, cargo information, user information, and energy data, making data security issues critical. Establishing a data classification and protection mechanism, employing privacy computing technologies, encryption technologies, and distributed storage technologies to ensure data security and privacy. For example, using blockchain technology to encrypt and store data can prevent data leakage and tampering, enhancing user trust and data security assurance levels.
7. Conclusion
Currently, the “Dinghai Plan” team has conducted preliminary communication and on-site investigation work for project pilot planning in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, and Taishan, Guangdong Province, and is carrying out pre-selection work in Fujian and Hainan. Based on the natural resource endowments and industrial development directions of different regions, a characteristic clean marine logistics development paradigm is formulated, aiming to create a “Chinese model” that promotes green innovation in the global shipping industry.
The C-MOLS model drives the achievement of the “dual carbon” goals, promotes digital transformation, and implements energy integration policies through the three-pronged approach of “green energy + digital empowerment + energy integration.” In the future, it is necessary to focus on policy coordination, technological innovation, and scenario integration as core pathways to promote clean marine logistics from “pilot exploration” to “full-area empowerment,” assisting the high-quality development of the marine economy. Through policy support, technological breakthroughs, and industrial collaboration, clean marine logistics is expected to become a new engine for the development of China’s marine economy, leading the new trend of green, intelligent, and sustainable development in global marine logistics.
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