Understanding core determinants in LNG bunkering port selection: Policy implications for the maritime industry

This study identifies the core determinants for selecting Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering ports from the view of liner shipping companies in South Korea. Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) is applied to understand the holistic formation of interactional relationships among the core decision determinants. The results confirm that the 11 LNG bunkering port selection components indicate interactive contextual characteristics that can be grouped into three categories identified in this study: “components for basic requirements,” “components for port attractiveness (differentiation),” and “core components for LNG bunking port selection.” The three determinants at the top level are recognized as core determinants that may directly influence shipping companies’ decision-making for the LNG bunkering selection individually rather than interactively. The findings obtained from this study can be a good reference for policymakers and ports that need to establish such a good LNG bunkering port strategy by realizing the perspective of shipping companies.