1,721,128 research outputs found
Sustainability of maritime supply chain : economic analysis to comply with environmental regulations and social issues
No full textAbstract: Maritime transport is considered the most significant transport mode in world trade and maritime trade have risen in recent years, which leads to economic growth. However, at the same time, it causes severe environmental effects that jeopardize the ecosystem and human health. The adverse impacts of the maritime supply chain (MarSC) are not limited to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollution, but they include other significant issues such as the spread of invasive species via ballast water, oil spill, chemical and waste management, cargo handling, safety and security at the ports, and noise pollution. The sustainability of this sector is a challenging issue for the stakeholders involved in this industry. Several aspects are indispensable to enhancing the sustainability of MarSC, grouped as economic, social, and environmental elements. In this thesis, some of the main significant issues in containerized maritime shipping are addressed economically, in which the main objective is to improve the sustainability of MarSC under environmental and social regulations. This Ph.D. covers different segments and stages of the MarSC, including hinterland transport, seawaters, maritime shipping, and port and terminal operations to improve the sustainability of the MarSC at regional, national, and global levels. The main objective of this Ph.D. is to provide the economic assessment of the most selected and promising technologies and methodologies to overcome the negative impacts of the marine shipping and port industry and bridge some of the available shortcomings. Besides, it will enhance the sustainability of maritime shipping in terms of economic, environmental, and social perspectives concerning the current international conventions and legislations. The overarching research question is: What is the economic impact of sustainability issues on maritime shipping in various trade routes from different stakeholders\u2019 standpoints? This Ph.D. thesis is based on an application approach, and each one is researched in an independent chapter in which several methodologies are applied to fulfill the objectives and to respond to the key research question. Four main application studies are as follows: economic impact of the instalment of Same Risk Area (SRA) under the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC), economic evaluation of alternative technologies to mitigate sulfur emissions, enhancing the supervision of containerized cargo from an economic perspective and supply chain analysis in terms of dry and reefer cargo. The Chain Cost Model (CCM) is the primary model, and it calculates the generalized cost per TEU in a loop. Then, a novel typology of vessel types is developed based on yearly BW consumption and previous port of call of vessels. The applied methodology is the cost and benefit calculation of the ships based on the obtained typology leading to the total net benefit of installing the SRA. Next, a unique scanning cost approach is established to assess the scanning costs based on various scanning rates and locations. This Ph.D. supports the governments and policy-decision makers by providing the costs and benefits of selected cases of addressing the sustainability of MarSC. Moreover, the outcomes are beneficial for a large groups of maritime stakeholders including port authorities, terminal operators, customs brokers, shipping companies, shippers and academia
Waterborne platooning: A viability study of the vessel train concept
No full textThe research in this thesis is a viability study of a waterborne platooning concept called the Vessel Train (VT). This manuscript describes the VT characteristics. It explains how the VT’s advantages are reaped, as well as the VT’s challenges that need to be considered and dealt with. To assess the potential of the platooning concept an inland navigation and a short sea shipping case are studied. They elaborated upon detailed information on viable operating requirements for different vessel types and operating conditions. A general outlook regarding geographical application differences is considered by analysing the difference between European inland corridors, bridge interaction in urban areas and the global application potential.Ship Design, Production and Operation
Unravelling D&D within the maritime ecosystem and its influence on IWT in port-hinterland supply chains
No full textAbstract: The use of intermodal inland waterway transport (IWT) is a key European strategy to move towards climate-neutral transport. However, challenges such as COVID-19, extreme Rhine water levels, and geopolitical disruptions complicate the shift from road to IWT. These disruptions often result in additional costs, known as demurrage and detention (D&D). This dissertation researches the impact of D&D practices on IWT within Europe\u2019s port-hinterland supply chain. Using a SARIMAX modeling, it forecasts IWT container volumes on the Rhine and highlights the potential impact of disruptions on IWT recovery. Findings from surveys, discussions, and legal analyses reveal inefficiencies in D&D practices and propose solutions such as extended free time for IWT, digitalization, and improved negotiation strategies. Cost analyses show that D&D fees can exceed the shipping lines\u2019 opportunity costs as time passes, suggesting their role as a revenue stream. Nevertheless, shippers can leverage D&D into their storage strategies to optimize costs. Furthermore, D&D and terminal dwell times significantly influence IWT's modal share. Consequently, addressing D&D is important in making a shift towards more sustainable and efficient hinterland transport
Ports at the crossroads of the energy transition : navigating shifts in energy flows: scenarios and strategic implications
No full textAbstract: The global transition to a low-carbon energy system is a key challenge of the 21st century, driven by the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions and meet strict climate goals. While renewable energy use is advancing, fossil fuels still dominate our energy use, raising uncertainties around future energy demand and supply. This dissertation explores the strategic role of European liquid bulk ports in the energy transition, especially for importing, storing and handling hydrogen and ammonia. Using a scenario-based methodology, it quantifies required storage capacity, investment needs and spatial demands across major ports, and examines how hydrogen adoption aligns with port objectives. Based on literature reviews, scenario modeling, cost calculations and expert interviews, the study finds large differences in infrastructure needs depending on the energy scenario. Moreover, the research reveals strong stakeholder consensus on the critical importance of hydrogen adoption for achieving environmental stewardship and economic competitiveness objectives in port governance. This alignment suggests that ports are well-positioned to lead infrastructure investments through collaboration that underpin Europe\u2019s hydrogen ambitions, while also facing challenges such as regulations and integrating emerging technologies. Ultimately, this dissertation provides actionable recommendations for policymakers and port authorities to accelerate infrastructure development that supports a resilient, sustainable and competitive energy future. Future research should address geopolitical factors, environmental impacts of ammonia logistics and the scalability of renewable energy carrier infrastructure to fully investigate hydrogen-powered maritime hubs
Enhancing the competitiveness of inland waterway transport : a multi-methodological approach applied to port barge congestion and urban areas
No full textAbstract: Inland shipping could provide a competitive and more sustainable mode of transport in Europe, as it could take advantage of this region's large and dense inland waterway network. However, this is not the case due to the different challenges faced in the Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) sector. Furthermore, there have been growing concerns about the negative societal impact of road transport within dense cities and urban areas. This brings an opportunity for inland shipping to utilize the dense IWT networks that connect to the city centers to use last-mile transport to the urban areas. By doing this, inland shipping can offer a better alternative to road transport and take over some urban freight flows, enhancing its competitiveness and maximizing its underutilized capacities. The rationale of this thesis stems from the need to enhance and strengthen the competitiveness of IWT. IWT competitiveness in this research is a multifaceted concept involving a range of factors that affect the ability to transport cargo to shippers efficiently and effectively. This includes the ability of IWT to provide reliable, efficient, and cost-effective transportation services compared to other transport modes (mainly road transport). Thus, enhancing competitiveness is examined in two stages: the IWT port-hinterland container transport (specifically focusing on port barge operations) and the IWT urban freight transport. These two stages are examined due to the major issues they generate in the hinterland supply chain between the seaports and urban areas, such as barge congestion in seaport operations and the increasing negative externalities of urban freight delivery with trucks. Based on this, three main research questions were identified and addressed in the thesis. These are: 1. What are the main challenges of container barge operations in seaports in North-Western Europe? 2. How can these challenges be addressed? 3. Is it possible to deploy (small) inland vessels for urban freight use from a private and welfare viewpoint? These questions were answered through a multi-methodological approach. A quantitative survey was used to answer the first research question. In contrast, multiple quantitative techniques, such as the agent-based and economic assessment models, answered the second research question. Finally, a social cost-benefit (SCBA) model answered the third research question
Smart Waterway D.6.1.3 : report of the full case study including a inventarisation of possible other application areas
No full textAbstract: In this deliverable, the model developed, verified and validated in D.6.1.2, is used on a case study in the city centre of Gent. This analysis was performed from two viewpoints; the private viewpoint and the welfare viewpoint. Financial analysis was performed for vessel owners; a total logistics cost analysis was performed for cargo owners, and external cost analysis for societal benefit. The analysis considered three main transport options: the truck with 16t capacity, palletized shuttle barges (conventional and autonomous), and the Zulu barge (conventional and autonomous). Results revealed that by internalizing the external costs, the PSB leads to an overall net benefit for all the actors in the welfare case. Further results indicated that switching to PSB from trucks would yield an annual total external cost reduction of 76%, a net positive benefit to society. With this, the net benefit for all the actors appears to be favorable, hence, justifying the use of PSBs
Smart Waterway D.6.1.1 : report of the terms of reference of the transport model
No full textAbstract: The transportation of goods is an important component in enhancing economic development. Thus, it is no surprise that many different goods are being transported every day to the cities and urban areas. Small volumes mostly characterize these goods at frequent intervals, most often delivered to stores in the city. This complexity has led to societal challenges such as road congestion, pollution, emission, accidents, and infrastructural degradation. Given these challenges, it is important to start thinking about innovative solutions to address the problems of urban freight distribution in urban areas. In light of this, the present study examines the cargo flows into urban areas and the possibility of urban freight distribution through small inland waterways. Specifically, the study develops an integrated socio-economic cost-benefit analysis (SCBA) transport model to determine the viability and feasibility of an autonomous palletized shuttle barge for urban freight distribution in the city of Ghent (Belgium). Based on this, the current report defines the terms of reference for the transport model. To achieve this, the main actors in the project and their evaluation techniques are researched. The different possible outcomes of the project and the decision criteria are also examined
Smart Waterway D.6.1.2 : report of the developed transport model
No full textAbstract: This report presents the model and data used in the evaluation of the project. The project appraisal techniques for the main actors identified in D.6.1.1 are further elaborated to achieve this. In doing this, the report specifies the socio-economic transport model (T.6.1.2). This model is divided into three parts. The first part focuses on the free cash flow and the Net Present Value (NPV) estimation for the vessel owners. The second part develops the Total Logistics Cost (TLC) for the cargo owners, while the third part specifies the external cost calculations for societal impact. In addition to the evaluation modeling technique, the report also discusses the data requirements and assumptions made in estimating the data. Finally, this report presents the verification and validation process that is used to verify and validate the model and the data collected (T6.1.3)
The development and evaluation of a modular well intervention business concept
No full textThe subject of this thesis is the development and evaluation of a modular well intervention business concept. The concept aims to bridge the gap between surface and subsea well intervention markets, currently served by different vessel types, using a platform vessel and equipment modules. The regional scope is South-East Asia, due to its low subsea intervention demand making it difficult for dedicated subsea intervention vessels to operate all-year round. The concept is evaluated from the point of view of the vessel owner and is limited to light and mediumwell interventions. The thesis consists of concept developmentMarine Technolog
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