Complexity ahead: a comment on shipping futures and new research frontiers

Norris, Laura ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3688-398X 2025. Complexity ahead: a comment on shipping futures and new research frontiers. Contemporary Social Science 20 (1) , pp. 27-36. 10.1080/21582041.2025.2585106

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Abstract

Shipping mobility futures are complex, interacting with multiple innovation systems and components of society, not least the connection of the local with the global. This commentary focuses on the key future trends in shipping and outlines some of the research agendas that might arise from this. Decarbonisation will be crucial in an industry that is set to grow, meaning that technical and social approaches to abatement will be necessary. However, demand prediction is uncertain due to changing geopolitical narratives and policy measures that address environmental damage. The latter presents a significant governance challenge in an international industry, and this will be supported to some extent by increasing digitalisation that will enable more robust monitoring and efficient operations. Ultimately, how these transformations play out in places such as ports will impact the global marketplace and measures for greenhouse gas emissions. The commentary concludes with potential future research agendas.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Geography and Planning (GEOPL)
Additional Information:	RRS policy applied
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	8 January 2026
Date of Acceptance:	27 October 2025
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2026 13:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/183739

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