# Harnessing AI for Sustainable Shipping and Green Ports: Challenges and Opportunities
## 3 The Role of AI in Sustainable Shipping
### Operational Optimization  
Autonomous Shipping and AI Navigation Systems  
Autonomous shipping, enabled by AI navigation systems, represents a transformative approach to operational optimization in the maritime industry. AI navigation systems use \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l l} \hline \hline
**Benefit** & **Description** & **Impact** \\ \hline Emission Reduction & AI optimizes fuel usage and reduces unnecessary emissions [107; 108]. & Lower greenhouse gas emissions [109]. \\ Energy Efficiency & AI-driven route optimization and smart energy & Reduced fuel consumption and \\  & management systems improve efficiency [110; 111]. & operational costs [112; 113] \\  & AI enhances logistics and supply chain & Faster, more reliable deliveries; reduced \\ Operational Efficiency & management through automation and predictive & downtime [115; 116]. \\  & analytics [114]. & Predictive maintenance reduces unexpected & Lower maintenance costs, increased \\ Maintenance Savings & failures and extends equipment lifespan [117; 118]. & reliability [119; 120]. \\  & AI helps monitor and ensure compliance with & Avoidance of fines, improved regulatory \\ Regulatory Compliance & environmental regulations [121; 122]. & relations [123]. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 2: Benefits of AI in Sustainable Shipping. ML algorithms, computer vision, and sensor data to automate the control and navigation of vessels. These systems can process vast amounts of real-time data from radar, LiDAR, GPS, and other sensors to make informed decisions about the vessel's route, speed, and maneuvers [127, 128, 129, 130]. The benefits of autonomous shipping are manifold. Firstly, AI navigation systems can optimize routes more efficiently than human operators, considering real-time variables such as weather conditions, sea states, and traffic congestion. This optimization leads to reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions. Secondly, autonomous ships can operate continuously without the need for crew rest periods, which enhances operational efficiency and reduces transit times [131, 132, 133, 134]. Furthermore, autonomous systems enhance safety by minimizing human error, which is a leading cause of maritime accidents. Advanced AI algorithms can detect and respond to potential hazards more quickly and accurately than human operators. This capability is particularly crucial in avoiding collisions, grounding, and other incidents that can cause significant environmental damage [135, 136, 137]. A great anti-collision tool suitable for installation on autonomous ships is the NAVDEC system [138]. The NAVigation DECision support system (NAVDEC) is an AI decision-support system developed at the Faculty of Navigation of the Maritime University of Szczecin and implemented by the Sup4 Nav company to resolve collision situations at sea. Polish scientists have developed a navigation system that not only guides the ship along safe routes but also suggests maneuvers to be executed in collision threat situations. NAVDEC has already been installed by shipowners such as Unity Line, Polska Zegluga Morska, Euroafrica, Unibaltic, and Polferries. This is the world's first navigation tool that serves informational functions as well as features typical of decision-support systems. Its innovative capabilities, significantly enhancing the capabilities of devices commonly installed on ships, currently have patent applications both domestically and internationally. NAVDEC complements the navigational equipment of the ship. It is a real-time system operated by the navigator. The system observes its ship and the surroundings, recording information about the current navigational situation. Based on this, the system identifies and assesses the navigational situation (processing) and develops solutions (decisions) to ensure safe navigation.