A desregulamentação do setor marítimo e a transição energética.

Abstract

This study analyzes the energy transition in the maritime transport sector through the lens of the climate crisis and the constraints of Environmental Economics. The research investigates how the neoliberal theoretical framework – centered on the pricing of externalities and the "polluter-pays" principle – proves insufficient for managing the decarbonization of the backbone of global trade. Structurally, the study confronts the narrative of the individual "carbon footprint" with the material reality of industrial production, where the maritime sector, responsible for 90% of globally transported goods, operates under lax regulatory regimes and high carbon intensity. The analysis demonstrates that the specific characteristics of shipping, such as the "invisibility of the sea" and the phenomenon of flags of convenience, create barriers to oversight and allow for the evasion of rigorous environmental standards in favor of operational cost reduction. The emergence of the "shadow fleet" is highlighted as an extreme example of this deregulation, facilitating the trade of sanctioned products and deliberately operating outside regulatory radars. Regarding the technological field, the paper discusses the paradox faced by the industry: despite the net-zero targets for 2050 established by the IMO, the sector remains dependent on heavy fossil fuels. Alternatives such as ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen are evaluated, noting that the transition is delayed by technological uncertainties, a lack of global infrastructure, and the long lifecycle of fixed capital represented by vessels. The study concludes that achieving climate goals requires moving beyond a reliance on market mechanisms, demanding coordinated state intervention and substantial public investment to break from the current production mode and enable a sustainable energy matrix in the oceans.