2026-01-14
Jeric Bacasdoon, Johan Bolmsten, Inga Bartuseviciene
Values of seafarers influence the safety of maritime operations and determining them helps in understanding seafarers’ behavior and decision-making. This empirical study investigated the predominant personal values among seafarers using Schwartz’s Value Theory as the theoretical framework. Employing a quantitative approach, this study surveyed 1002 seafarers using a revision of the Schwartz Revised Portrait Value Questionnaire (PVQ-RR). The revised version (in English) was tested for validity and reliability and was pilot tested, then translated into eight other languages. Quantitative analysis involved statistical analyses which followed the recommendations of Schwartz (2021) to determine the values that seafarers hold, including their significant differences based on demographic profiles. The findings reveal that the predominant values among seafarers are Self-transcendence and Conservation, specifically Security, Benevolence, Universalism and Conformity broad values. Universalism-Nature, Security-Personal, Benevolence-Caring, Security-Societal, Benevolence-Dependability and Universalism-Concern were the narrowly defined values that seafarers hold. Also, there was no significant difference in the values that seafarers hold in terms of their demographic profile except for their nationality. To the knowledge of the researchers, this is the first study that used the 19 value-framework to determine the value priorities of seafarers. The determined values of seafarers are significant to maritime stakeholders, including the Maritime Education and Training institutions in designing/redesigning programs to address the affective domain of learning, specifically values and their internalization.
2026-01-14
Remke Willemen, Geert Potters, Sam Van Vlem, Silvia Lenaerts
This study evaluates the suitability of corrosion testing methods for analyzing the scribe performance of coated steel in environments resembling ballast tanks. While the fog/dry test effectively accelerates corrosion on bare steel, it falls short of replicating ballast tank conditions for coated scribed steel. It shows significant variability, which limits precise evaluation. A procedure previously developed at AMACORT, the AMACORT CIFD-01 test procedure, proves more reliable for scribe performance analysis, offering greater precision and repeatability. This study also explores the effects of surface cleanliness and roughness on coating performance using the fog/dry test method. Fog/dry testing is used as it is widely recognized and commonly applied, whereas the AMACORT CIF D-01 protocol requires significantly more handling. Increased salt contamination correlates with a greater mean creep, which becomes significant when PSPC15 standards are being exceeded. Regarding dust contamination and surface roughness deviations, no significant effects were observed, like those seen with increased salt contamination. A dust contamination increase contributes to performance degradation but not significantly, nor do surface roughness deviations. These findings underscore the importance of selecting appropriate test methods and maintaining adherence to surface cleanliness and roughness standards, in particular salt contamination, to ensure optimal coating performance and adhesion durability.
2026-01-14
Fran Torbarina, Josip Dujmović, Goran Vizentin, Mateo Kirinčić
This review examines the current landscape of hydrogen production technologies, including thermochemical, electrochemical, and biological methods, highlighting their efficiencies, feedstock requirements, and environmental implications. Furthermore, the paper explores the challenges and advancements in hydrogen storage technologies, primarily on compressed gas, liquefied hydrogen, and solid-state storage. Hydrogen technology across industries, from transportation, to grid energy storage and industrial processes are discussed, with a focus on maritime sector applications, showcasing hydrogen’s versatility and decarbonization potential. Despite its promise, large-scale hydrogen adoption is constrained by high costs, infrastructure limitations, and energy efficiency concerns. This review aims to provide a foundational understanding for researchers and policymakers to support the advancement of hydrogen as a key component in future energy systems.
2026-01-14
Husein Syahab, Achmad Zubaydi, Heni Siswanti, Rizky Chandra Ariesta
Damage to ship structures leads to a reduction in strength, which increases the risk of structural failure. The vulnerability of damage in sandwich panel structures made of low-density steelpolyurethane elastomer needs to be evaluated and predictions made regarding failure modes, particularly crack propagation through the core thickness. Variations in structure thickness and the size of the initial crack are evaluated to determine the impact of structural design on damage under the ship’s operational loads. Finite element analysis, validated with experimental data, is used to simulate the dynamics of crack propagation. It was found that a thicker core and a smaller initial crack length result in slower crack propagation rates and shorter crack extensions. Increasing the core thickness from 15 mm to 24 mm reduced the crack propagation rate by up to 28% and improved crack extension resistance by as much as 54%. Thicker face and bottom plates further contributed an additional reduction in crack growth rate, providing an extra margin of structural toughness. Shorter initial cracks also proved significant, with propagation rates decreasing by about 73% when comparing a 25 mm crack to a 75 mm crack. These factors lowered the strength reduction factor (SRF ) and extended crack growth times, confirming that thicker cores and smaller initial cracks improve damage resistance in ship sandwich structures.
2025-07-16
Ahmed Alsalfiti, Theo Notteboom
This study investigated the influence of service quality on customer satisfaction with clearing and forwarding C&F agents using the SERVQUAL model. C&F agents play a crucial role in facilitating the clearance and delivery of goods for businesses, and their service quality is heavily dependent on port operations. This research employs a quantitative approach, using survey data from 397 customers of C&F agents in Kuwait to examine the relationship between service quality dimensions and customer satisfaction. This study analyzes the five SERVQUAL dimensions of tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. Although the correlation analysis shows that all dimensions were statistically significant for customer satisfaction, the regression results reveal that assurance was not significant. Tangibles emerged as the most influential factor, followed by empathy, reliability, and responsiveness. This research contributes to the academic literature and practical industry knowledge by addressing the gap in understanding service quality dynamics in Kuwait’s C&F sector. The findings provide valuable insights for industry professionals seeking to enhance service quality and improve customer satisfaction. This study focused on Shuwaikh Port, but it establishes a foundation for future research across other ports and suggests the adoption of mixed-method approaches for a more comprehensive analysis. The results offer practical recommendations for improving C&F services and maintaining competitiveness in this vital sector.
2025-07-16
Oleksiy Yeryganov, Vladyslav Kyrnats, Alexey Popovskyi, Vitalii Gunchenko, Vladymyr Glebov, Oleksiy Melnyk
In real operating conditions, the engine indicator diagram is the most common source of data for analyzing its current technical condition. Despite this, it is not possible to determine all diagnostic parameters directly from it, for example, the mass of fuel injected into the cylinder. To determine the fuel supply, it is possible to use the calculation of heat release in the cylinder or by solving a system of differential equations describing the working process in the cylinder. However, in those cases, the approximate value of the average temperature of the cylinder walls is unknown, as well as which of the empirical formulas for calculating the heat transfer from the gases to the cylinder walls should be used. Therefore, an additional method for calculating the mass of fuel injected into the cylinder was developed, in which the actual working process, under certain assumptions, was represented by a calculated cycle with isochoric and isobaric sections of fuel combustion. As a result, two systems of algebraic equations were compiled, the solutions of which can be used to find the mass of injected fuel. During the research, the process of solving equations was modernized, which allowed for a significant increase in accuracy.
2025-07-16
Stipe Galić, Zvonimir Lušić, Saša Mladenović
Ship grounding is one of the most common and devastating maritime accidents. This article aims to present a retrospective review of models used to estimate the frequency of such incidents. Given the increasing growth of maritime traffic, this is the type of maritime accident that today’s modern science should better address and present modern solutions to minimize such accidents. Numerous grounding risk assessment models have been developed throughout the history of maritime research, contributing significantly to the reduction of ship grounding incidents. However, while research and related models on this topic are abundant, they are often unstructured and fragmented, lacking detailed and comprehensive analysis necessary to clearly identify key shortcomings and areas for improvement. A thorough search of relevant databases was conducted to better capture academic articles and general publications addressing the estimation of ship grounding frequency. Using the bibliographic mapping capabilities of the VOSviewer software, the study identified research clusters related to grounding issues. The inclusion of bibliometric analysis enhances this article by providing a comprehensive overview of the literature and highlighting the researchers who have made the most significant contributions to the development of ship grounding assessment models—thus laying the groundwork for future advancements.
2025-07-16
Burcu YILMAZ
The maritime industry, which holds significant importance for international logistics operations and global trade, is increasingly exposed to cybersecurity risks in this era of accelerating digitalization. In this context, cybersecurity research conducted within the maritime sector is crucial in maintaining international trade, preventing economic losses, and effectively managing global supply chains. In this regard, the primary objective of this study is to examine research on cybersecurity applications in the maritime field using the scientific mapping method and to identify prominent topics and themes. Accordingly, a search was conducted in the Web of Science database using maritime-related keywords in combination with the terms “cybersecurity,” “cyber risk,” “cyber threats,” or “cyber risk management.” Covering the period from 2014 to December 2024, including early-access publications slated for 2025, 248 studies incorporating maritime concepts and these cybersecurity-related terms were analyzed using the R programming language. The analysis results indicate that research in this field began in 2014 and that there has been a notable increase in the number of studies conducted since 2018. The findings reveal that the most frequently used keywords in this field include “model,” “cybersecurity,” “performance,” and “safety.” Additionally, the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering stands out as the journal that has published the highest number of studies and received the most citations in this domain. The top three countries with the highest number of publications in this field are Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, respectively. Furthermore, the prominent thematic focus identified in the research is collision-avoidance navigation. These findings are significant for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, as they also contribute to developing recommendations for future studies.
2025-03-16
DIMITRIS GEORGOULAS, Stratos Papadimitriou
Our research focuses on the maritime industry, specifically the dry bulk market, contributing to the emerging research agenda regarding the influence of financial markets on the real economy. Motivated by the documented relationship between the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) and financial markets, we study how different types of investors’ sentiment in the US stock market influence the BDI. Employing Granger causality tests and impulse response functions, we examine how investors’ confidence and ensuing liquidity in both the US maritime and the broader US stock markets impact corporate decisions related to freight rates and secondhand vessel investments. Our findings highlight the critical role of investor sentiment for stakeholders in the dry bulk market and the significance of the BDI in shaping traders’ investment in the US capital market. Additionally, by comparing our results with previous studies, we provide fresh evidence regarding the identity of traders in the maritime capital market. We also employ Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks to establish the out-of-sample predictive power of our sentiment proxies, positioning them as novel BDI determinants. The results provided align with signal theory, challenge the efficient market hypothesis, and offer valuable insights for optimizing profitability and fostering economic sustainability in various industries.
2025-02-16
Vivien Lorenčič
The article examines the competitive positioning of cruise ports in the North Adriatic Sea cruise network using network analysis and centrality measures such as degree, betweenness, closeness, and eigenvector centrality. The study provides insights into the dynamics of the cruise industry, particularly in the region and its connection to the Mediterranean. The hypothesis states that ports with higher centrality scores have a stronger competitive position and attract more cruise traffic, leading to greater economic benefits. The aim of this study is to determine how centrality measures can reflect the strategic positioning and operational efficiency of North Adriatic cruise ports. The purpose is to offer a data-driven approach to evaluate cruise port connectivity and competitiveness, assisting port authorities and cruise operators in optimizing itineraries and enhancing regional cooperation. Results show that Zadar ranks highest in degree and eigenvector centrality, indicating robust incoming connections, while Venice leads in outdegree centrality, highlighting its role as a primary departure hub. Corfu serves as a critical transit port in betweenness centrality, facilitating connections across the Mediterranean. The study identifies “predator” ports like Venice that act as major departure points from popular destination ports like Piraeus and Barcelona. Findings confirm that integrating centrality measures into competitive analyses is crucial for sustainable growth in the cruise sector and optimizing cruise itineraries.
2025-02-13
CRISTINA CAMPOS TORESANO, Marcella CASTELLS-SANABRA, CLARA BOREN
Recent advancements in telecommunications, computing and sensors are driving ships to become increasingly more autonomous. Despite concerns about the decline in the number of seafarers and maritime jobs, this new trend is expected to be an opportunity for the creation of new businesses and roles requiring highly skilled crews and operators. Maritime Education and Training (MET) must evolve by updating curricula, incorporating new topics and upgrading teaching methodologies while maintaining compliance with the STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Convention. This article aims to analyse maritime stakeholders’ perceptions of this emerging topic, contributing to the conceptualisation of the new MET framework in Spain through a small-scale study. Questionnaires were run to gather opinions about the new topics, skills and competences that future seafarers should acquire in their education. The results reveal an ongoing and open debate regarding the preparation of future maritime professionals and the recognition that changes are necessary in the framework to integrate Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) into maritime curricula. This need for adaptation is further emphasised by the development of new courses by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).