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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Transportation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2024 | Viewed by 13232

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jiangang Fei

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Guest Editor

Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
Interests: transportation; logistics; supply chains

Prof. Dr. Junzhong Bao

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Guest Editor

Marine College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
Interests: maritime safety and risk assessment

Prof. Dr. Shenping Hu

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Guest Editor

Merchant Marine College, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
Interests: maritime risk assessment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Maritime transportation has always been considered as one of the most efficient and cost-effective means of moving large quantities of cargoes, be they in bulk or containerized. In the past several decades, maritime transportation has experienced significant improvement in safety, efficiency, and cost reduction due to the industry continuous adoption of advanced technologies in design, materials and construction, and information and communication technologies. The industry has played an imperative role in facilitating global trade and developing the world economy and thus providing millions of job opportunities in the broad maritime industry. As far as sustainability is concerned, maritime transportation may be the most sustainable way of moving large quantities of all kinds of cargoes over long distance. Maritime transportation, however, does face challenges in enhancing the sustainability of the industry. Such challenges include safety, security, increasing pressure for energy efficiency, disruptive technologies (e.g. autonomous ships), skilled workforce, and ocean governance.

Research into addressing these challenges will inform policy development to further strengthen the sustainability of the maritime transportation industry. This Special Issue of Sustainability is a timely call for contributions to this very important industry, which is considered as the backbone of international trade. Topics of interest for submission include but are not limited to the following:

Energy efficiency
Disruptive technologies and their impacts
Maritime education and training in the era of digitalization
Energy supply and renewable energy
Autonomous ships
Digital twins in maritime transportation
Maritime security
Risk assessment and mitigation
Port–ship interface
Safety culture and corporate social responsibility
Ocean governance

Dr. Jiangang Fei
Prof. Dr. Junzhong Bao
Prof. Dr. Shenping Hu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sustainability
maritime safety
maritime security
energy efficiency
maritime education and training
digitalization
digital twins
risk assessment and ship safety

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 6770 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dependence of Ships Turning at Port Turning Basins on Clearance under the Ship’s Keel

by Vytautas Paulauskas and Donatas Paulauskas

Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2819; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072819 - 28 Mar 2024

Viewed by 419

Abstract

Turning ships in port turning basins is an important and responsible operation, mainly involving the ship itself and the port tugboats. Such operations involve many maneuvers that consume a lot of energy (fuel) and emit a lot of emissions. Turning basins in harbors and quay approaches are, in most cases, relatively shallow. This paper examines the turning of ships in port turning basins using harbor tugboats, the effect of shallow depth on ship turning, energy (fuel) consumption and the generation of emissions during such maneuvers of harbor tugboats. This paper presents the developed theoretical models, and the experimental results on theoretical models that were verified on real ships and using calibrated simulators. Discussions and conclusions were prepared on the basis of the research results. The use of the developed methodology makes it possible to increase shipping safety, optimize maneuvers and reduce energy (fuel) consumption when turning ships in the port and, at the same time, reduce the amount of fuel consumed by port tugboats and reduce the number of emissions of tugboats during such operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Maritime Transportation)

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20 pages, 7400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Intelligent Automatic Sea Forecasting System Targeting Specific Areas on Sailing Routes

by Jun Jian, Zheng Sun and Kai Sun

Sustainability 2024, 16(3), 1117; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031117 - 28 Jan 2024

Viewed by 810

Abstract

Sailing vessel navigators always want to receive state-of-the-art prompt and accurate marine weather-forecasting services. However, the weather-routing services by private sectors are expensive. Further, forecasting results from public institutes are usually free, and they are not in real-time or numerical modes, so they are not quite suitable for small-size or offshore vessels. In this study, an intelligent system was constructed for delivering sea forecasting at specific areas according to the navigator’s order. The system can automatically obtain web-based forecasting charts issued from multi-source meteorological agencies and convert the regional information into numerical text at requested points. During this step, several intelligent algorithms, like the OpenCV digital image processing algorithm and the YOLO wind vector deep learning recognition method, were applied. By applying this state-of-the-art system, navigators on board do not need to download different institutional graphics (usually with large stream bytes) to explore the future states of the sea surface in a specific area in the sailing route but can obtain the multi-source text forecasting information just by sending the area coordinates to a designated email address. The field tests confirmed that this auto-intelligent system could assist the navigator within a few minutes and thus greatly enhance the navigation safety with minor text-based communication costs. It is expected that by improving the efficiency of marine services and bringing in more artificial intelligence technology, maritime security would be more sustainable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Maritime Transportation)

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20 pages, 948 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Emerging Dynamics of Training, Recruiting and Retaining a Sustainable Maritime Workforce: A Skill Resilience Framework

by Livingstone Divine Caesar

Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010239 - 27 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1011

Abstract

The maritime industry is regarded as the fulcrum of the global economy. It contributes significantly in diverse ways to the movement of goods. To effectively deliver on its mandate, maritime transportation needs to be sustainable. In the absence of a resilient and highly adaptive workforce; however, it is impossible to address the tangible set of economic, environmental and social expectations for the sector. From a human capital perspective, this paper explores the emerging dynamics of producing a sustainable workforce for global maritime transportation. Results from a recent study involving 305 ship officers (web-based survey) are compared with new changes (from academic sources and industry reports) in the maritime transportation sector. The comparison (findings) highlights emerging changes within the global maritime workforce and the implications for skill development. It also emerged that the shortage of highly skilled talent (on both the landside and seaside) is a critical challenge and is being exacerbated by growing industry changes. Ultimately, these developments endanger sustainable maritime transportation. Consequently, the paper proposes a skill resilience framework with which industry stakeholders could identify skill gaps among the workforce and improve training content to produce an adaptive workforce capable of handling emerging challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Maritime Transportation)

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22 pages, 2189 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards International Maritime Organization Carbon Targets: A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Analysis for Sustainable Container Shipping

by Hamid Reza Soltani Motlagh, Seyed Behbood Issa Zadeh and Claudia Lizette Garay-Rondero

Sustainability 2023, 15(24), 16834; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416834 - 14 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1036

Abstract

Recently, decarbonizing the maritime industry, which accounts for 2.8% of world emissions, has become essential. However, as a crucial component of maritime transportation, container shipping also carries substantial significance. In this context, the International Maritime Organization endeavors to endorse several projects and methods to mitigate maritime transport emissions. As a result, this research assesses frameworks, infrastructure, training, and other critical factors to analyze multiple operational and technological possibilities for predicted decarbonization solutions in container shipping using the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach to assess ship owners’ and stakeholders’ desires. It employs a comprehensive methodology that begins with a systematic literature review using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) method to prepare questionaries, followed by an MCDM analysis using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) methods to examine the results. This research contributes to the scholarly discourse on reducing the emissions of maritime transportation. According to the findings, operational alternatives, such as ship speed, trim, and maritime route optimizations, are considerably more appealing than design and technology solutions, such as technically advanced ship hulls or machinery reforms. The pragmatic advantages of the operational alternatives, such as lower costs and shorter implementation schedules, stimulate their adoption. In contrast, design and technological solutions can influence emission reductions in the long term. It is possible to find operational alternatives for short-term decarbonization, while technological and design advancements can aid in long-term emission reductions in container shipping. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Maritime Transportation)

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18 pages, 1768 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Methodology for Assessing Power Needs for Onshore Power Supply in Maritime Ports

by Marcelo Amaral, Nuno Amaro and Pedro Arsénio

Sustainability 2023, 15(24), 16670; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416670 - 08 Dec 2023

Viewed by 3904

Abstract

Maritime ports represent an important ecosystem for pollutant emissions and, considering the ongoing energy transition, need to adopt new solutions to mitigate current emission levels. These emissions are partially avoidable if ships and vessels docked at the port use electric energy to feed their power needs instead of using their internal combustion engines. In Europe, there is an ongoing discussion on including such emissions in the European Union Emissions Trading System, which will represent added costs for maritime operators. Onshore power supply systems can contribute to the ongoing energy transition by allowing the use of electric power to feed docked ships. As a first step to contribute to the development of onshore power supply solutions, it is necessary to evaluate the added power needs that these systems would represent for the port. This paper presents a methodology that allows port operators to verify, straightforwardly and transparently, their power needs for onshore power supply applications. The methodology is based on the historical data of docked ships at the port or quay level and provides an energy analysis of each type of vessel to determine the power to be installed at the port so that it is possible to supply energy to different types of ships and vessels simultaneously. Additionally, the implemented methodology provides economic and technical decision support factors by comparing the fuel costs with electric power costs, assessing the potential for this transition to onshore power supply. The methodology is validated using a real case study for the Port of Lisbon, and obtained results demonstrate the potential for the installation of an onshore power supply in medium- to large-dimension maritime ports. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Maritime Transportation)

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20 pages, 2640 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Port Shallowness (Clearance under the Ship’s Keel) on Shipping Safety, Energy Consumption and Sustainability of Green Ports

by Vytautas Paulauskas, Viktoras Senčila, Donatas Paulauskas and Martynas Simutis

Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15802; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215802 - 10 Nov 2023

Viewed by 835

Abstract

In a majority of ports, a ship’s speed is limited for reasons of navigational safety. At the same time, captains and port pilots choose the speed of the ship, but it cannot be higher than the speed allowed in the port. Therefore, the speed of the ship also depends on the experience of the masters and harbor pilots and the sailing conditions in specific situations. Choosing the optimal speed of the ship in the port, considering the hydrodynamic effect of shallow water and the controllability of the ship, can help reduce fuel consumption and ship emissions, which is important for the development of a sustainable port. In all cases, the safety of the shipping is the highest priority. The main objectives of this article are determining the optimal speed of ships in ports with low clearance under a ship’s hull, ensuring navigational safety, reducing fuel consumption and emissions, and creating a sustainable port. This article presents the methodology for calculating the optimal ship speed as the minimum controllable speed, fuel consumption and emission reduction, as well as its implications for sustainable and green maritime transport and port development. The methodology presented has been tested on real ships and using a calibrated simulator, navigating through port channels and port water’s restricted conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Maritime Transportation)

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23 pages, 9336 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Numerical Study on the Smoke Dispersion and Temperature Distribution of a Ship Engine Room Fire Based on OpenFOAM

by Yuechao Zhao, Haobo Zhao, Zeya Miao, Dihao Ai and Qifei Wang

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 15093; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152015093 - 20 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 830

Abstract

To further study the smoke dispersion and the temperature distribution in ship engine room fires, the fire dynamics solver buoyantReactingFOAM in the software OpenFOAM-10 is used to conduct a numerical simulation study on a pool fire caused by fuel oil leakage in a ship engine room. The applicability of this solver in simulating ship-engine-room-scale fires is validated by comparing it with experimental data. The impact of the mechanical ventilation, fire area, and fire position on the smoke dispersion and the temperature distribution in the ship engine room during the fire are considered in the simulation study, with a focus on the control room and the escape exit. The simulation results of buoyantReactingFOAM agree well with the experimental data. The simulated results of the case study show that for both in the control room and near the escape exit, among the factors of fire position, fire area, and the ventilation situation, the fire position affects the temperature distribution and the smoke dispersion most heavily, followed by the fire area and then the ventilation situation, which has the least influence on them. But, compared to the control room, the influence degree of the ventilation air velocity in the escape exit is larger than that in the control room. With an increase in the fire area, the spread rate of high temperature and high smoke concentration increases. With an increase in the ventilation air velocity, the aggregation degree of smoke and temperature decreases, but its decreasing range is very small when the ventilation air velocity is larger than 2 m/s. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Maritime Transportation)

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16 pages, 4166 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Performance Parameters of a Compression-Ignition Engine Fueled by Blends of Diesel Fuel, Rapeseed Methyl Ester and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil

by Justas Žaglinskis and Alfredas Rimkus

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14690; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014690 - 10 Oct 2023

Viewed by 975

Abstract

This research compares the air pollution (CO, CO₂, HC, NO_x, smoke), energy (brake-specific fuel consumption, thermal efficiency) and noise indicators of a compression ignition engine fueled by first-generation biodiesel (rapeseed methyl ester (RME)) and second-generation biodiesel (hydrogenated vegetable oils (HVO)), or conventional (fossil) diesel fuel blends. The concentration of first- and second-generation biodiesel in two-component blends with diesel fuel was up to 15% and 30% (RME15, RME30, HVO15, and HVO30); for comparison, the three-component blend of diesel fuel, HVO and RME (RME15–HVO15) was considered. The fuels’ physical and chemical properties were tested in a specialized laboratory, and the engine load conditions were ensured by the engine brake stand. Referring to ship power plants with constant-speed engines, detailed research was carried out in one speed mode (n = 2000 rpm). Studies have shown that two-component fuel blends with HVO are superior to conventional diesel fuel and two-component blends with RME in almost all cases. The HVO in fuel blends reduced fuel consumption up to 1.8%, while the thermal efficiency was close to that of fossil diesel fuel. In addition, a reduction in pollutants was observed: CO by ~12.5–25.0%; HC by ~5.0–12.0%; NO_x by ~6.5%; smokiness by ~11–18% (two-component blend) and up to ~29% (three-component blend). The CO₂ and noise characteristics were close to those of fossil diesel fuel; however, the trend of reduced smoke emission was clearly seen. A fundamental obstacle to the wide use of HVO can be seen, however, which is the price, which is 25–90% (depending on the EU country) higher than the price of conventional (fossil) diesel fuel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Maritime Transportation)

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16 pages, 1270 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Hybrid Approach for Quantitative Analysis of Fire Hazards in Enclosed Vehicle Spaces on Ro-ro Passenger Ships

by Junzhong Bao, Zhijie Bian, Bitong Li, Yan Li and Yuguang Gong

Sustainability 2023, 15(17), 13059; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151713059 - 30 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 804

Abstract

This study probes the probabilistic features of major fire hazards in enclosed spaces to establish their importance to the occurrence of fires onboard Ro-ro passenger ships and, in turn, to raise effective operational countermeasures. Distinct from the previous studies, the present research employs Bayesian Network (BN) analysis to determine the probabilities of fire hazards more effectively. The results of the first 10 important basic events obtained by the BN model are divided into five groups (Vehicle electrical fires, Reefer vehicle fires, Vehicle-carried cargo fires, Potential causal factors of fire for LIB vehicles, and Vehicle fires originating from human factors), Which prompts the authors to propose preventive measures for mitigating the possibility of fire occurrence on this type of electric vehicle. It is hoped that these measures can be essential justifications for establishing relevant rules regarding carrying LIB vehicles in enclosed spaces on an international level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Maritime Transportation)

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21 pages, 1229 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adapting to the Impacts Posed by Climate Change: Applying the Climate Change Risk Indicator (CCRI) Framework in a Multi-Modal Transport System

by Tianni Wang, Mark Ching-Pong Poo, Adolf K. Y. Ng and Zaili Yang

Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 8190; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108190 - 18 May 2023

Viewed by 1469

Abstract

Climate change has threatened the infrastructure, operation, policymaking, and other pivotal aspects of transport systems with the accelerating pace of extreme weather events. While a considerable amount of research and best practices have been conducted for transport adaptation to climate change impacts, there is still a wide gap in the systematic assessment of climate risks on all-round transport modes (i.e., road, rail, sea, and air) with a comprehensive review and a quantitative scientific framework. This study aimed to critically review studies on how the transport sector has adapted to the impacts posed by climate change since the dawn of the 21st century. To support climate risk assessment in comprehensive transport systems, we developed a Climate Change Risk Indicator (CCRI) framework and applied it to the case of the British transport network. Focusing on a multi-modal transport system, this offers researchers and practitioners an invaluable overview of climate adaptation research with the latest tendency and empirical insights. Meanwhile, the developed CCRI framework elaborates a referable tool that enables decision-makers to employ objective data to realise quantitative risk analysis for rational transport adaptation planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Maritime Transportation)

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