Title: Timing of emergency shipboard abandonment decision: an integrated DEMATEL and ANP approach

Authors: Volkan Efecan; Ünal Özdemir

Addresses: Department of Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering, Maritime Faculty, Mersin University, Mersin, Türkiye ' Department of Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering, Maritime Faculty, Mersin University, Mersin, Türkiye

Abstract: The emergency shipboard abandonment decision is critical for the safety of seafarers, passengers, and the environment. Within the conventions established by the International Maritime Organisation, the captain is expected to order the ship's abandonment if a life-threatening hazard persists despite all necessary precautions. This study aims to prioritise the factors that may affect the timing of the abandonment decision, using an integrated DEMATEL and ANP approach. The findings reveal that the captain's experience and the psychological pressure they face are critical in the timing of the decision. In conclusion, assessing the timing of shipboard emergency abandonment decisions necessitates the integration of both tangible and intangible aspects, acknowledging the complex interplay between objective data and subjective human elements inherent in crises. Therefore, by identifying the factors and understanding their influence on the decision-making process, more effective emergency procedures can be developed.

Keywords: abandonment; timing; decision-making; emergency; analytic network process; ANP; DEMATEL.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2026.150449

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2026 Vol.22 No.1, pp.60 - 81

Received: 02 Feb 2025
Accepted: 09 Jul 2025
Published online: 14 Dec 2025 *

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