Assessment of the feasibility of vessel trains in the ocean shipping sector

This paper introduces the concept of vessel train, a new mode in maritime transport offering both environmental and economic advantages. The study provides a framework for analyzing the economic feasibility of vessel train in ocean shipping, focusing on four different scenarios to evaluate its impact on navigation speed and productivity for both round-trip and year-long operations. Using the container ship route from Yangshan Port to the Port of Piraeus as a case study, the research compares vessel train with traditional shipping methods by categorizing shipping costs. It also includes a sensitivity analysis considering factors like route length, frictional resistance reduction, and variations in the container freight index, fuel prices, and carbon tax rates. The findings indicate that vessel train can reduce transportation costs and fuel emissions. The paper concludes that vessel train could significantly contribute to a competitive and sustainable future in shipping.