Title: Governance strategies for emission control areas: a tripartite game perspective of port state, flag state and shipping company

Authors: Jihong Chen; Aoyu Li; Lang Xu; Jinyu Xu; Chengkun Liu; Jianghao Xu

Addresses: College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Institute for Sustainable Development, Macau University of Science & Technology, Macao, China; Shenzhen International Maritime Institute, Shenzhen, China ' College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China ' College of Transport & Communications, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China; School of Civil & Environmental, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore ' College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, China ' The Institute for Sustainable Development, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, 999078, China ' College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China

Abstract: To reduce ship emissions during navigation and berthing, the IMO has established emission control areas (ECAs), but their effectiveness remains limited. To address fragmented regulations and weak compliance incentives, we develop a tripartite evolutionary game model involving port states, flag states, and shipping companies, revealing the dynamics of collaborative governance. Results show that port states' unilateral regulation faces diminishing returns, and penalties alone are insufficient. Flag state participation depends on effective reputation incentives, with a threshold between international benefits and regulatory costs. Coupled parameter analysis highlights the leverage of governance synergy on cost optimisation and the role of regulatory success in shaping shipping company strategies. This study proposes an incentive-compatible framework for transboundary regulation, offering theoretical support for overcoming sovereignty barriers and enhancing global maritime emission governance.

Keywords: emission control area; ECA; evolutionary games; cooperative regulation; synergistic effect.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2025.149594

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2025 Vol.21 No.4, pp.557 - 586

Received: 16 Mar 2025
Accepted: 07 May 2025
Published online: 07 Nov 2025 *

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