A strategic framework for achieving sustainability in the shipping industry through industry 4.0 technologies

The shipping industry plays a critical role in global trade, but it also faces major sustainability challenges that affect important global goals like SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). This study creates a framework to promote sustainable change using Industry 4.0 technologies, such as IoT and Blockchain. The approach includes a literature review and expert consultation to identify and categorize 36 technological enablers across four areas: environmental, social/organizational, managerial, and supply chain. To rank these enablers, we used the Robust Best Worst Method (RBWM), and we validated the results with machine learning classifiers to ensure the framework's reliability and accuracy. Our key findings show that renewable energy integration, eco-friendly design, blockchain applications, and planning algorithms are the most important factors for sustainability. This new framework provides practical guidance for policymakers and industry stakeholders to improve sustainable practices. It aims to support informed investment and operational choices, especially in developing economies where Industry 4.0 adoption is not fully explored.