An integrated analysis of bibliographic trends with AIS-based vessel operational data for the evaluation of alternative fuels

Abstract

The transition to low and zero-carbon fuels is essential for reducing emissions from shipping. This paper develops a combined framework to evaluate hydrogen and ammonia as alternatives to marine diesel oil by linking bibliographic research trends with vessel-level operational data. A bibliographic review of 1,174 publications published between 2000 and 2025 identifies clusters related to safety, performance, and infrastructure, with increasing activity influenced by international decarbonization policies. To complement this analysis, automatic identification system (AIS) data are used from two representative vessels: a high-speed ferry completing 2,265 annual trips and a deep-sea container ship with multiple long-haul voyages. The operational data are processed to reconstruct propulsion energy demand and compare fuel requirements in terms of mass, volume, and range. The results show hydrogen is more suitable for shortsea operations, while ammonia proves more practical for longhaul shipping.