Abstract
BACKGROUND: The shipbuilding and ship-repair industries are important contributors to world trade. However, it also generates various types of waste, similar to any other industry, which has a detrimental impact on the environment. This study aims to understand the critical need for effective and appropriate waste management practices in this industry by investigating the factors involved in generating various types of waste. It identifies and ranks the major challenges in waste management in this industry. The study also suggests potential solutions for shipyards and repair yards to address these challenges. METHODS: The study used the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) to prioritize the challenges identified through a literature review and finalized them based on the feedback of experts. Further, a list of solutions for these challenges was prepared based on interviews with experts in this area. Finally, the Best Worst Method (BWM) was used to rank the solutions for each of the identified challenges. RESULTS: The findings indicate that the major challenges for the industry are the generation of hazardous waste and the high costs involved in adopting sustainable practices. The results also showed that strict waste segregation and containment are the top solutions to handle the challenge of hazardous waste generation. Further, the leverage on external funding mechanisms and implementation in a phase-wise manner are the top two solutions to deter the challenge of high costs associated with adopting sustainable practices. CONCLUSIONS: By prioritizing these challenges and solutions, this study provides a road map for shipyards around the world to effectively allocate resources, improve environmental performance, meet regulations, and improve operational performance. This is important for the adoption of an environmentally friendly and economically sustainable shipbuilding and repair industry.