Sustainable polar shipping under climate change: A bibliometric review of emissions and efficiency
POLAR SCIENCE, cilt.48, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
- Cilt numarası: 48
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.polar.2026.101392
- Dergi Adı: POLAR SCIENCE
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Artic & Antarctic Regions, BIOSIS, Geobase, INSPEC, Linguistic Bibliography, Zoological Record
- Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır
Özet
This study presents the first comprehensive bibliometric assessment of research on shipping emissions and energy efficiency in polar regions, aiming to overcome the fragmentation between environmental, technological, and policy perspectives. A dataset of 546 publications (1983-2025) indexed in the Web of Science within engineering and environmental sciences was systematically analyzed through citation, co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence mapping to examine temporal trends, leading contributors, intellectual influence, and evolving thematic clusters. Findings indicate a clear shift in scholarly focus, from early studies on black carbon and sea-ice interactions to more recent solution-oriented research emphasizing decarbonization, alternative fuels, and advanced emission modeling. Europe, led by Finland and Germany, has historically shaped the intellectual foundations, while China and the United States have become major contributors in recent years. Collaboration patterns reveal the global and interdisciplinary nature of the field, highlighting the role of joint research in driving both technological innovation and regulatory development. The results demonstrate that sustainable polar shipping requires not only technical improvements but also region-specific policies, coordinated international governance, and context-adapted efficiency strategies. By consolidating four decades of dispersed scholarship, this study clarifies the intellectual structure of polar shipping research and provides actionable insights for policymakers, engineers, and environmental scientists seeking to address the disproportionate climate risks of high-latitude maritime transport.