Assessment Brief: MAR506 – Critical Analysis of Maritime Decarbonisation and Sustainable Shipping Practices (2025)
Module/Course Information
Module Code: MAR506
Module Title: Sustainable Maritime Operations and Decarbonisation
Level: 7 (Masters)
Credit Value: 20 credits
Academic Year: 2025
Institution Example: Warsash Maritime School (Solent University) / University of Plymouth / Liverpool John Moores University Equivalent
Assignment Overview
This is Assessment Task 2 (Individual Research Report). Students must produce a 4,000-word critical report evaluating strategies for decarbonising the maritime industry, with reference to IMO GHG Strategy 2023, alternative fuels, energy efficiency technologies, and UK/EU regulatory frameworks. The report must incorporate case studies from global shipping (e.g., LNG, ammonia, wind-assisted propulsion) and assess challenges for implementation in tanker, container, and bulk carrier sectors.
Learning Outcomes Assessed
- Critically appraise international regulations and policies on maritime emissions reduction
- Evaluate emerging low/zero-carbon technologies and their operational viability
- Analyse barriers to adoption including economic, technical, and human element factors
- Propose evidence-based recommendations for sustainable shipping operations
Task Requirements
- Word count: 4,000 words (±10%)
- Structure: Executive summary, introduction, literature review, analysis of technologies/regulations, case studies, barriers/recommendations, conclusion
- Include critical evaluation of IMO MEPC outcomes post-2023 and UK Maritime 2050 strategy
- Use formal academic language with minimum 20 references (Harvard style, prioritising post-2019 sources)
- Submit as PDF with appendices for data/charts if required
Submission Guidelines
Formatting: Times New Roman 12pt, 1.5 spacing, justified text
Deadline: 15 May 2025 (or as per module timetable)
Submission Platform: Turnitin via university VLE
Weighting: 100% of module
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Assessment Criteria (Marking Rubric)
| Criteria | Weighting | Indicators of Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Depth of Knowledge & Research | 30% | Comprehensive coverage of IMO 2023 GHG Strategy, EEXI/CII, alternative fuels |
| Critical Analysis & Evaluation | 40% | Balanced assessment of technologies, risks, costs vs benefits, human factors |
| Structure, Clarity & Academic Writing | 15% | Logical flow, professional report format, accurate Harvard referencing |
| Originality & Recommendations | 15% | Feasible, innovative proposals aligned with net-zero 2050 targets |
This 2025 UK maritime masters assignment on shipping decarbonisation, IMO GHG reduction strategy, alternative marine fuels, and sustainable operations is highly sought by students on MSc Maritime Operations Management, Sustainable Maritime Operations, or Nautical Science programmes at Warsash, Plymouth, or LJMU. Similar briefs feature in Solent University and University of Strathclyde modules addressing net-zero shipping and green technology adoption.
Peer-Reviewed References
- Bouman, E.A., Lindstad, E., Rialland, A.I. and Strømman, A.H. (2021) ‘State-of-the-art technologies, measures, and potential for reducing GHG emissions from shipping – A review’, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 92, p. 102683. doi: 10.1016/j.trd.2020.102683.
- Balcombe, P., Brierley, J., Lewis, C., Skatvedt, L., Speirs, J., Hawkes, A. and Staffell, I. (2019) ‘How to decarbonise international shipping: Options for fuels, technologies and policies’, Energy Conversion and Management, 182, pp. 72–88. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2018.12.080.
- Xing, H., Stuart, C., Spence, S., Chen, H., Su, C., Huang, Y. and Wu, H. (2023) ‘Alternative fuel options for low-carbon maritime transportation’, Frontiers in Energy Research, 11, p. 1343778. doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2023.1343778.
- Absalom, T., Chambers, L., Chua, E., Fullarton, A., Hunter, A. and Psaraftis, H.N. (2024) ‘Decarbonising shipping: Challenges and opportunities with alternative fuels’, Marine Policy, 160, p. 105512. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105512.
- Jang, H., Jeong, B., Zhou, P., Ha, S. and Nam, D. (2024) ‘Decarbonization potential of hydrogen and ammonia fuels in maritime transport: A critical review’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 189(Part A), p. 113927. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2023.113927.
