A radical transition framework for the maritime innovator

Abstract

The European Union has recently revealed a plan called ”Fit for 55.” The plan aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 55% before 2030. It includes FuelEU Maritime, which will introduce new emission regulations for ships over 5000 gross tonnages. The regulations will require shipowners to reduce their carbon footprint. The European Union has decided not to wait for the International Maritime Organisation’s emission rules (IMO) and will enforce them for ships by 2024. By 2025, the rules will extend to offshore vessels with a gross tonnage of 400 or more and general cargo vessels carrying commercial goods between 400 and 5000 gross tonnages.
Efforts are being made to find a hydrogen carrier that closely resembles conventional oil-based products to comply with these regulations. All these fuels need to be produced with renewable energy sources, which have their efficiency losses. Renewable fuel production is only estimated to have a chemical efficiency of 50%.
Innovation in the shipping sector is necessary to reduce energy losses. The shipping sector fits the rules of rural society, where incremental innovations are preferred over radical changes. However, radical change is necessary to accomplish the energy transition in shipping. According to the DOI theory, innovators are the first group of adopters. Innovators are eager to try new ideas and have a cosmopolitan (global) network. These innovators will play a critical role in the energy transition in the shipping sector.
The study’s objective is to analyse if it is possible to influence a given adoption of the innovator. First, the research outlines the theoretical framework for the study. The literature search aims to determine a transition framework to answer the research sub-questions. The framework’s scope will be refined to the innovator group and the maritime sector. A case study will be conducted to test the defined framework, and factors outside the scope may be included if needed. The literature collection approach involves determining the philosophical framework before researching the sociological framework. The mainstream innovation and inclusive innovation frameworks have been identified from a philosophical perspective. The mainstream innovation framework focusing on radical and technological typology is more appropriate for the research study. Rogers’s sociological framework can be used to describe the adoption process. The Scopus search has been used to identify different theories, including spatial innovation frameworks, sectoral innovation systems (SIS), technological innovation systems (TIS), and path development. Finally, the study provides an overview of the innovation systems and their corresponding frameworks……