Identifying Economic, Social, and Institutional Barriers to Decarbonizing the Maritime Transport Sector in the Galápagos Islands

Team:
– Prof. Cristina Mateus, PhD. (team leader USFQ)
– Prof. Valeria Ochoa-Herrera, PhD. (USFQ)
– Prof. Dan van der Horst, PhD. (team leader UoE)
– Prof. Adolfo Mejía, PhD. (UoE)
– Prof. Vásquez Mazariegos, PhD. (Fairfield University, USA)

Abstract:
The project «Identifying Economic, Social, and Institutional Barriers to Decarbonizing the Maritime Transport Sector in the Galápagos Islands» aims to address the unsustainable growth of maritime transport emissions, which account for 41% of total CO2 emissions in the region. The project seeks to identify barriers hindering the adoption of green technology, focusing on transitioning water taxis to electric outboard engines powered by renewable energy sources

The first publication reveals a preference among water taxi owners for electric systems that match the performance of internal combustion engines without incurring high costs. It emphasizes the importance of local context in designing effective decarbonization strategies, suggesting subsidies and instruments to ease the transition. The second publication identifies five non-technical barriers to adopting electric engines, including negative perceptions due to past failed projects and high upfront costs. It highlights the need for quality guarantees, repair skills, and affordable spare parts.

The project outcomes aim to reform institutional frameworks, analyze demand for green transportation, assess economic incentives, and propose strategies to overcome identified barriers. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the project will provide policy recommendations to support a socially inclusive shift toward sustainable maritime transportation in the Galápagos Islands.

The next steps for this project involve several key areas of research and development. First, the implementation of prototypes for the water taxi fleet will be pursued to test and demonstrate the feasibility of electric outboard engines in real-world conditions. This will be accompanied by an analysis of economic incentives to facilitate the transition, identifying financial mechanisms that can support boat owners in adopting electric propulsion. In parallel, the project will explore technical barriers to ensure that the transition to electric boats is not only economically viable but also technically sound. Additionally, the research approach will be replicated for other types of short boat trips, broadening the impact of the findings and creating a more comprehensive strategy for maritime decarbonization in the region. To support these initiatives, the team will seek opportunities for future funding, ensuring the sustainability and scalability of the project across similar island and remote contexts.

Publications:

Vásquez, W. F., Mateus, C., Mejia-Montero, A., Loyola-Plúa, M. I., Ochoa-Herrera, V., & Van Der Horst, D., Individual and group preferences of water taxi owners for electric outboard engines, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 132, 2024.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2024.104247

Mateus, C., Van Der Horst, D., Mejia-Montero, A., Ochoa-Herrera, V., & Vásquez, W. F. (RSER-S-24-05051-under review). Non-technical barriers to decarbonize boat transport; insights from a study on electric outboard engines for water taxis on the Galapagos islands. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.