Navigating the Tides of Sustainability: Gaps in IMO Legislation and the Shipping Industry´s Perception on a Transition Towards Sustainability

Considered the most cost and energy-efficient mode of transportation, the shipping industry is responsible for 90% of trade and is predicted to grow. Although it has been central for the development of nations, this activity is not exempt of negative externalities, largely contributing for unsustainability. A sustainable transition is, thus, required to address the overall supper wicked problem of the sustainability challenge. This thesis employed qualitative research composed of two main research phases. The first one assesses the alignment of IMO´s legislation with a sustainable transition for the shipping industry. A document analysis of this regulation was done by applying a methodology based on sustainability principles from the FSSD. Our findings point to multiple misalignments with both social and ecological principles, as well as a lack of a systems perspective of the industry. The second phase of the research explores what different practitioners perceive is needed for the sustainability transition. For this, nine semi-structured interviews were conducted. An inductive data analysis resulted in 15 main findings, addressing different topics perceived as relevant for this transition. This included the need for a just and equitable transition; enhanced governance and more stringent regulations; as well as fair and unbiased treatment of seafarers.