Integrating Master’s Voyage Planning Competence and Green Voyage Management to Improve Fuel Efficiency, Emission Performance, and Operational Reliability in Commercial Shipping

Abstract

The transition toward sustainable maritime transportation requires more than technological innovation; it also depends on the competence of maritime professionals responsible for operational decision-making. This study investigates the role of Master’s voyage planning competence in improving sustainable shipping performance through green voyage management. A mixed-method approach is proposed by integrating Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with qualitative validation from maritime professionals. The conceptual model examines the relationships between Master’s voyage planning competence, green voyage management, fuel efficiency, emission performance, and operational reliability in commercial shipping. The findings indicate that management-level nautical competence significantly contributes to the implementation of green voyage practices, which subsequently enhance fuel efficiency, reduce emission intensity, and improve operational reliability. The study contributes to maritime transport management literature by extending green shipping research beyond technological perspectives and highlighting human competence as a strategic capability for sustainable maritime operations. The proposed model provides practical implications for shipping companies, maritime education institutions, and regulators in developing competency-based strategies aligned with global decarbonisation objectives.