Environmental Policy Implementation and Operational Sustainability in Southeast Asian Shipping: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Governance Frameworks, Officer Perspectives, and Decarbonization Barriers

Abstract

This research examines how maritime governance frameworks—particularly International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, MARPOL, and Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans (SEEMP)—influence operational decision-making in Indonesian and Southeast Asian shipping operations. Through qualitative focus group discussions with two veteran shipping officers, four senior maritime lecturers, and analysis of emerging regulatory compliance patterns, this study identifies critical barriers preventing small and medium-sized shipping enterprises from achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2050. The research explores how senior maritime officers mentor junior deck and engine cadets on sustainable energy management in practical port and operational contexts. Findings indicate that while regulatory frameworks are comprehensive, implementation gaps persist due to limited resources, technical capacity constraints, and insufficient alignment between policy objectives and operational realities. The study contributes to maritime education by proposing integrated curriculum frameworks that bridge policy knowledge with practical sustainability competencies, directly supporting cadet training in engine, port management, and deck operations across Southeast Asia.

Keywords : maritime governance; green shipping; environmental policy; IMO regulations; sustainable operations; Southeast Asian shipping; cadet training