Decarbonizing maritime mobility : A multicriteria assessment of battery-electric, fuel cell, and hybrid technologies for small and medium vessels, with a focus on European implementation and Chilean potential

Abstract

The maritime sector, responsible for transporting between 80% and 90% of global trade byvolume, is a cornerstone of international supply chains but also a significant contributor to greenhousegas (GHG) emissions. According to the European Environment Agency (2020), shipping represented3.7% of total EU emissions, while globally the industry contributes approximately 2.9% of annual GHGemissions. DG CLIMA (2024). In response, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adoptedan updated GHG reduction strategy, targeting net-zero emissions by 2050, with intermediatemilestones of a 20% reduction by 2030 and 70% by 2040. Against this regulatory backdrop, maritime electromobility—through battery-electric vessels (BEVs), hydrogen fuel cell vessels (FCVs), and hybridpropulsion systems—emerges as a promising pathway for decarbonization. While electromobility is already mature in land transport, its maritime application faces technical, regulatory, and infrastructural challenges, particularly for small and medium vessels, which are vital for regional transport and coastal operations.The objective of this work is to conduct a multi-criteria assessment of current technological solutions for small and medium vessels below 5000 GT, focusing on their technological, energetic, and ecological performance, and to analyse the European legal framework that is driving adoption.Furthermore, the study explores the applicability of European lessons to the Chile an maritime sector,considering its geography, institutional capacity, and policy context. The methodological approach combined a review of international and EU regulations (including the European Green Deal and the Fitfor 55 package), case studies of leading cities implementing clean maritime solutions, comparative modelling of propulsion technologies over a 100 km route at 8 knots, and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from academia, industry, and policymakers in both, Europe and Chile.The results indicate that battery-electric vessels currently offer the most efficient and costeffective option, with lower operational expenditure and significant emissions reductions when powered by clean electricity. Hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid configurations provide greater range flexibility, though with higher costs and infrastructure requirements. The study highlights that European regulation is actively reshaping the sector, yet policies for small and medium vessels remainless developed compared to deep-sea shipping. Technical requirements are largely available through the work of classification societies in alignment with IMO standards, and demonstration projects in European ports showcase rapid progress. In the Chile an context, the findings reveal a high potentialfor electromobility due to the country’s unique geography, reliance on land transport, strong institutional framework, and commitment to green hydrogen development.The conclusions underline that the core technologies for maritime electromobility are available and increasingly competitive, while the regulatory environment in Europe is beginning to support their integration. For Chile, electromobility represents not only a decarbonization pathway but also a strategic alternative to strengthen supply chain resilience, reduce dependence on terrestrial corridors such as Route 5, and stimulate domestic demand for green hydrogen. However, as emphasised by the OECD in its Logistics Observatory for Chile (2026, p. 11), a significant barrier remainsthe scarcity of reliable data. Bridging this data gap, updating the regulatory framework, enabling the free competition in the transport sector and deploying targeted incentives will be key to unlockingChile’s electro-maritime potential.