Dear Colleagues,

Most of the need for research into the navigability of waterways, approach channels, harbour basins, docks, mooring, rivers, and related matters, arises from the enlargement of scale makes commercial maritime ports more attractive. As such, we invite scholars working in relevant areas to submit articles providing analytical, computational (FEM, etc.), modelling and experimental methods. We are particularly interested in papers addressing challenges such as ship handling when vessels are exiting ports when sailing at reduced under keel clearance, sailing and approaching through narrow channels, port approach planning, manoeuvring vessels exposed to strong crosswinds, ship-to-ship interactions, advanced towing arrangements, new dredging methods, and port extension engineering. Alternative manoeuvres to minimize prop-wash and bed disturbance are acceptable. In addition, we are open to propositions regarding any new risks, difficulties, and challenges that arise from this general field of maritime affairs.

We are particularly eager to publish papers which address technical solutions (and best practices) that enhance effective and safe navigation through restricted waters, such as integrated navigation systems, position integrity solutions, maritime adaptive GNSS concepts, pilot navigation units, enhanced ECDIS, VDES and e-navigation solutions, laser docking systems, the automatic collision avoidance function of VTS, radiolocation and other methods, communication and navigation systems for integration, and the exchange of marine information needed for safe approaches and berthing.

Maintaining a safe berth is a continual challenge for large ships of an ever-increasing size. Topics with special interest to this publication include fendering and vessel mooring layout analysis, as well as a computational method for mooring forces and the behaviour of the moored ship; dynamic mooring analysis; vessel motion control strategies based on mechanical arms, hydraulic auto-tension, and fasting systems; vacuum pads; and Bollard load calculation, especially when more than one mooring line is made fast. In particular, we are looking for studies which focus on the passage of large ships through channels and analyse training needs, simulation tools (currently available ship-handling simulators do not provide realistic ship-bank interactions), and the workload and stress of pilots navigating increasingly large, less capable ships in challenging conditions. We are very interested in the applicability of the latest pilotage support systems that larger vessels will be required to install for passage through the Panama Canal. We are also investigating the versatility of remote pilotage.

Beyond the scientific interest of various studies and beyond the technical task of providing new measures to enhance the safety of shipping in the face of challenges uninvited by ports, we would like this Issue to have some bearing on contemporary issues in general—this primarily includes the challenges inherent to managing a world heading for environmental disaster. The following political considerations should be factored into any submissions: that pure science is not a meaningful concept in a complicated commercial world, as we have seen over recent years, not just in regard to obvious issues such as pollution but also piracy, but also in relation to political matters between nations. We welcome research that places maritime science with the humanities in ways that address the very real problems of our global system.

Dr. Marko Perkovic
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• waterway
• harbour approach
• navigation
• maneuvering
• scale enlargement
• berthing and mooring
• pilotage and towage