Scientific Journal of Maritime Research - Pomorstvo

Offshore Wind Energy Potential: Assessing Capacity Factor and Electricity Generation in Montenegro

2025-02-23T11:36:34+01:00

Montenegro, as a signatory to international agreements, is committed to reducing CO₂ emissions and achieving full decarbonization by 2050. To meet these environmental goals, the country must permanently shut down the coal-fired thermal power plant in Pljevlja. This study assesses the potential electricity generation capacity of an offshore wind farm in Montenegro using 15 MW wind turbines at a location identified in prior research. Two offshore wind farm technical capacity criteria are applied: one defined by the World Bank (WB), specifying a capacity of 3 MW/km², and another by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) under the U.S. Department of Energy, specifying 5 MW/km². The study also examines two operational scenarios of Montenegro’s electricity system. Results show that a fixed-bottom offshore wind farm in an area of 88,438 km², with sea depths up to 60 meters, could generate 55,71% of the electricity produced by the Pljevlja plant based on WB criteria, or 92,86% based on NREL criteria. For depths over 60 meters, a floating offshore wind farm in 678,16 km² could generate 4,22 times the electricity output of the Pljevlja plant based on WB criteria, or 7,04 times its output based on NREL criteria.

Unveiling Investor Sentiment's Impact on Dry Bulk markets

2024-12-26T17:35:32+01:00

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.

Maritime Stakeholders’ Insights on Maritime Education and Training in the Autonomous Shipping Era. A Small-Scale Study in Spain

2024-12-22T17:12:25+01:00

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).

The importance of entrepreneurship for the maritime sector and the tendency of maritime students to be “maripreneurs”

2024-11-28T12:08:40+01:00

The possibility that technological advances may replace human power and lead to unemployment is one of the most debated issues in all sectors, including maritime. While some studies argue that this will not lead to unemployment but to a shift in the skills expected of workers, others insist that the probability of unemployment is high. Assuming that the second option is realized, it will be necessary to take some measures to create new jobs for laid-off workers. One of these measures
could be to train people to have an entrepreneurial mindset, as entrepreneurship plays a key role in creating new jobs and thus increasing employment. In this study, the entrepreneurial tendencies of maritime students were investigated to see their potential to become entrepreneurs. For this purpose, the entrepreneurial orientation scale developed by Bolton and Lane was applied to 268 students at a maritime university. The data evaluated with the R program shows that the students
have above-average risk-taking, proactiveness, and innovativeness skills which are important for entrepreneurship, thus they have the potential to become entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs if appropriate entrepreneurship education is provided.

The effect of economic policy uncertainty and geopolitics on LNG freight rates across different market conditions

2024-10-10T22:40:57+02:00

This paper examines the effects of economic policy uncertainty and geopolitics on LNG freight rates under different market sentiments, employing Markov – switching Vector Autoregressive (MS-VAR) models. Considering the crucial role of diversification and security of energy supply, we aim to fill this gap in the literature, referring to the transportation cost of LNG. Economic policy uncertainty impacts in a negative way the freight rates in the USA-China trading route and increases the freights at the USA-Europe trading route despite the market conditions. We found that the effect of a shock on National security index is more pronounced at the USA-Europe route. A shock on Geopolitical indices creates an upward trend in the freight rates for both routes under bullish market conditions, which is more intense in the USA-Europe trading route. Our results bear significant implications for both shipowners and charterers related with the LNG trade. This article is a revised and expanded version of the respective research which presented at the International Association of Maritime Economics
(IAME) 2024 annual co nference, Valencia, in June 2024.

Greenwashing or sustainable environmental practices? The case of cruise tourism

2024-10-30T11:52:54+01:00

Cruise tourism is a highly environmentally damaging form of tourism, causing various environmental degradation. This study aims to characterise cruise tourism, frame it technically and legally within international legal instruments, particularly concerning environmental policies and practices, and assess if companies' sustainability measures are steps towards sustainability or greenwashing practices. These practices are operationalised to respond to the demands of public opinion and an increasingly demanding demand in these matters, the so-called green consumers. To achieve these objectives, a comprehensive range of qualitative and quantitative data was gathered and analysed. As conclusion, cruise lines have made significant changes towards the sustainability commitments established by international organisations and the public. Nevertheless, due to their distinctive characteristics, dimensions, and intricacies, there is still a dearth of technological and logistical alternatives that are commensurate with the scale of cruise ships, despite the advancement that has been made in this direction.

Design of a Conceptual Underwater Wireless Communication System Integrating Electromagnetic and Optical Technologies

2025-01-21T16:07:50+01:00

Underwater wireless communication is pivotal for advancing maritime technology, supporting applications such as underwater exploration, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), diver communication, search-and-rescue operations, and military systems. Traditional acoustic communication systems, while effective over long distances, are constrained by low bandwidth and high latency, limiting their suitability for data-intensive operations. Electromagnetic (EM) and optical communication technologies offer promising alternatives, providing higher data rates, greater bandwidth, and lower latency, but face challenges such as signal attenuation, scattering, and environmental interference. To address these challenges, this paper explores the potential of an integrated wireless communication and navigation system combining EM and optical technologies. Initial experimental measurements of EM wave propagation in freshwater provided valuable insights into signal attenuation and frequency-dependent performance, demonstrating the feasibility of overcoming attenuation in such environments. Building on these observations, this paper proposes a conceptual system comprising three interconnected segments: a space segment utilizing the Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS) for precise GNSS signals, a waterline segment processing and transmitting GNSS-like signals, and an underwater segment facilitating navigation
and communication for divers and AUVs. Preliminary findings highlight the potential of combining EM and optical technologies for reliable, near real-time underwater wireless communication. Future work will focus on extending functionality, validating the system in saltwater environments, and refining the design for practical deployment.

Centrality measures and competitive positioning of North Adriatic cruise ports

2024-12-30T15:43:40+01:00

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.

Analysis of the impact of daylight on grounding and collision accidents

2024-11-11T19:14:44+01:00

It is crucial to conduct accident investigations in order to identify the root causes and prevent further accidents in the future. Investigations have revealed that the number of accidents occurring at night is greater than during the day, and that they have a more significant impact. The difference in the number of accidents and their causes between day and night is a critical issue that requires attention. This study examined the distinct differences in accident times between the Straits of Canakkale and Istanbul. These straits have considerable maritime traffic both day and night, which increases the potential for accidents. The aim of this study is to analyze the accident times in the Istanbul and Canakkale Straits in terms of ship watches. Between 2001 and 2016, 451 grounding and collision accidents occurred in the straits. The accident data were analyzed using SPSS and the chi-square test. The analysis of the data shows a significant difference in the number of accidents between night watches and day watches, with night watches having more accidents. The tests showed that this difference was statistically significant.

Automated Drag Optimization of a Torpedo Shaped AUV Using B-spline and Genetic Algorithm

2024-11-20T18:23:02+01:00

Torpedo-shaped autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) offer versatile capabilities such as surveying underwater environment, collecting data, performing inspections and even assisting in search and rescue operation. However, their design still attract the attention of manufacture due to the various parameters that affect the final shape. This article aims to optimize the shape of a torpedo-shaped (AUV) through the utilization of B-splines for shape representation and the application of genetic algorithms for form optimization, in which the main objective is to minimize the drag. The automated optimization procedure uses minimum control points to form the nose and the tail of the AUV whereas the cylindrical part remain unchanged. To evaluate the performance, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model as high fidelity model is used and it is calibrated for a DREA type UV. The overall strategy presents a drag reduction about 19 %.

Modified Floater of Heaving Device Wave Energy Converter (WEC): An Experimental and Numerical Study

2025-02-12T08:56:55+01:00

Indonesia has a population nearing 300 million and an electricity consumption of 1,285 kWh per capita. However, Mentawai Waters which is surrounded by wave energy potential, still has 23 out of 43 villages off-grid. This study examines energy extraction in Mentawai Waters using a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) with a heaving device mechanism. It focuses on measuring heaving motion, and excitation force, and calculating power and energy production. The heaving WEC device type is selected for its suitability with the local environmental characteristics. The most important of which are wave heights reaching 2.3 m and periods reaching 8.3 s. A combination of experimental testing using the Towing Tank Laboratory and numerical methods with the Boundary Element Method (BEM) is used to optimize the results. The tests focus on six variations of floater diameters ranging from 23 to 33 cm, under wave heights of 0.04 to 0.08 m, with wave periods ranging from 0.6 s to 2.6 s. Both methods indicate that the 29 cm diameter (Floater Type 2) is the most optimal variation, with
an average mechanical power output of 446 watts, which is 26.17% higher than Floater Type 1. At a 1:1 scale, an array of 10 Floater Type 2 WECs, with a maximum annual energy output of 35,226 kWh, confirms the point absorber as a suitable WEC type for Mentawai Waters, capable of illuminating key areas, including public facilities.

Comparative Analysis of the Dominant Models of Coastal Guard Structures in Europe with Access to Semi-Enclosed Seas

2024-11-04T11:53:04+01:00

The paper presents different models of the organizational functioning of the coast guards of European countries with access to semi-enclosed seas. It analyses the Coast Guards of the Republic of Italy, the Republic of Greece, and the Kingdom of Norway with respect to different functional organizational models. Special attention is paid to the organizational structure and operations of the Coast Guard of the Republic of Croatia. The paper also explores and analyses the management model of the Coast Guard of the Republic of Croatia in the context of operational efficiency in protecting rights and interests in the maritime areas of the research geographical region, the semi-enclosed Adriatic Sea - eastern part. A comparative analysis of the considered coast guards is presented.