A new age in seafaring? Analysing the Dutch approach to incentivise a zero carbon fleet

Abstract: Contributing 3% of global annual carbon emissions, the shipping sector has to do its part to keep the global temperature under the maximum increase of 2°C. To fulfil this target, the Netherlands conceived the ‘Green Deal on Maritime and Inland Shipping and Ports’ in 2019. This thesis aims to make a preliminary assessment on the policy’s effectiveness by applying Weber et al.’s environmental policy effectiveness framework. The policy will be examined according to four steps; these will aid in assessing the policy’s expected ability to reach the policy goals. It was found that the Green Deal heavily relies on an ecological modernisation vision and market-based mechanisms to reach policy goals, resulting in moderately low chances of potential success. Based on existing evidence, this thesis suggests that the Netherlands could achieve more environmental successes if their sustainable shipping policies would gravitate more towards command-and-control policies.