Search

Air cargo significantly contributes to trade, bridging the gap between production and consumption in a timely and reliable manner. The specific industry is a complex system, participating many players and requiring many documents and actions. Greece’s economic growth is highly dependent on the exportation and import of goods. The current study intends to analyse the Greek air cargo industry, implementing a more holistic approach, identifying the main problems and challenges, and making useful recommendations. In-depth focus group discussion with the participation of twelve (12) experts (n=12) and observation applied to collect the required information. The main findings present the high level of bureaucracy, the lack of cooperation between the partners and the use of technology that caused significant problems in the industry’s performance, while some effective interventions were proposed. The study provides useful insights to the related practitioners, policy-makers and academicians.

This research investigates the potential of additive manufacturing (AM) to revolutionize the marine spare parts supply chain (SPSC). While AM has been widely explored in other industries, its application in the maritime sector remains limited. This study addresses this gap by comparing traditional and AM-integrated SPSC models using system dynamics simulation. By focusing on high- and low-value spare parts, this research highlights significant cost reductions and improved delivery times through strategic AM integration. Our findings demonstrate the potential of AM to enhance the efficiency and resilience of the maritime supply chain, particularly in remote environments.

Persons with reduced mobility (PRM) should enjoy the same rights as other people in all life aspects, including in terms of travel experience. PRM group is an undeveloped travel market segment, having specific needs that the aviation organizations should satisfy. The facilitation of air travel for PRM should be supported by, among others, clear standards and appropriate regulations and laws. The present study focuses on the European Union (EU) and ASEAN regulatory framework for PRM, presenting various issues and suggesting improvements. The paper is theoretical in nature. It compares various regulations and laws that are implemented in the two Regions, and from thereafter suggestions are generated. The study shows that the European Union has a more efficient regulatory framework that better responds to the transportation chain and the needs of the various groups of PRM. The ASEAN Region can adopt some functional regulations and practices from the European Region. Also, the emphasis should be moved from persons with disabilities to PRM accompanied by the necessary rules, mainly from the ASEAN side. PRM makes up a significant potential market segment in aviation and relevant studies will be beneficial. The study provides significant insights for the aviation industry, particularly for these two Regions, the various groups of PRM, and the policymakers.

Renewable energy sources increase their share in the energy mix and, therefore it is important to accommodate variability in energy production. In this study, a hybrid approach is evaluated where a combination of batteries and compressed air are used together with seawater reverse osmosis in order to match renewable energy against electricity and water needs. Especially in remote islands renewable energy-powered desalination is an attractive option. These technologies are tested on a semi-submersible floating platform, accommodating an offshore wind turbine, a photovoltaic system and a reverse osmosis seawater desalination. The floating offshore system can deliver both fresh water and electricity in a dynamic configuration. Simulations of different operating strategies have been examined and show that sustainable solutions can be achieved.

ABSTRACTMarine ports operations are often associated with a variety of externalities, including issues like air pollution and noise, among others; there is clearly a negative impact on the working environment and the quality of life of the citizens living next to a port. An effective way to improve the overall situation can be provided by deploying the shore-to-ship electrification method, also known as Cold Ironing. Unfortunately, there is still a disadvantage: there is no holistic approach involved, as the external electrical grid is usually powered by fossil fuels. In a different approach, the zero-emissions port concept uses a smart grid technology framework connected to renewable energy sources and the electrical grid is used only as a backup source in a situation where there is a deficit in power balance. However, an important challenge remains, the conversion to electricity and the efficiency of the converting systems. The use of such sources for commercial electrical supply is only possible with the new “Smart Grid” concept and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). In this paper, an overview of AI methods for smart grid energy management optimization for ports is presented, discussing the potential application of each algorithm to zero-emission port concepts.

Abstract Today, alternative fuels are seen as a critical area of sustainable technological growth in maritime transport. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the United Nations body for maritime issues and other international bodies are in the process of amending and updating the regulations applicable to the shipping industry. Greece is ready to enter the era of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and electricity as marine fuels, as Eastern Mediterranean projects are heading towards adopting these alternative fuels. This study aims to explore the intention of the Greek stakeholders in accepting and using LNG and electricity as alternative fuels. The research objectives are to identify, analyse and evaluate the determinants that influence the intention to accept, diffuse and use alternative fuels, LNG and electricity for marine propulsion, and develop, construct and validate a hybrid model that can be used for future study. This research will clarify possible challenges or barriers to the implementation of technology by stakeholders and contribute to a deeper understanding of the green shipping network. It will also highlight the role of key players in the diffusion phase of technological innovation and the technology itself and its characteristics. Moreover, this research will suggest a unified model using the expansive Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in conjunction with the Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) and external variables affecting LNG and electricity 1) to investigate the intent of implementing the use of such alternative fuels and 2) to inform policymakers concerning sustainable shipping.

Improvement of maritime safety has previously been based on a reactive regulatory approach, where regulatory improvements have been imposed to prevent recurrence of a specific type of accidental event or accidental scenario, after such an accidental event has happened. The ISM Code requires that hazardous situations are to be reported to the company, investigated and analyzed in order to prevent future happenings. Near-miss reporting is positively evaluated in this respect, because, near-misses are represented experiences and mistakes that should be shared to learn from in order to prevent the occurrence of accidents. The expression “that was too close” on ships’ bridges between the master and the officers is rarely transferred to a near miss report form, preserving the probability of reoccurrence. Near misses occurred and near misses reported might present a big difference in number. Officers easily forget the near miss situation when the safety of the ship is restored. Hazards identification will be based on documented management system (SMS- TMSA- ISO). The analysis of the documented safety and quality management will address the gap in order to improve the implemented systems. The objective of this research is to find out the best practices about near-miss reporting from the companies considered to have high level of commitment to safety within their organization. The study is based on interviews with a total of 35 seafarers who are joining on Greek ocean going vessels, and 4 representatives from safety departments of Greek maritime companies. The research also aims to address the seafarers’ perspective of reporting all near misses which have been experienced while they were in charge of specific duties (bridge watch, engine room watch) or any other operation (mooring, maintenance, drill) carried out on board. The majority of both the seafarers and the companies’ representatives believe that prior to the near miss reporting issue a safety culture environment on board is the real gain pursuit. In their perspective this is first priority to improve the general safety on board. It seems that near miss reporting is carried out on board as a compulsory compliance to the regulatory framework (ISM implementation). Further, it seems that the companies are not yet utilizing the reported data to improve feedback and the follow-up within the organization. The authors would like to thank companies’ representatives and seafarers who have participated in this study.

New technology comes with benefits for companies that choose to adopt. Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3d printing as it is commonly known has been already implemented in various sectors (industrial and consumer products, medical, automotive, aerospace, etc.). The shipping industry is characterized as conservative to changes. As AM is starting to consolidate in the industry, can offer lessons guiding changes. Application in industries with similar to shipping characteristics (industries with moving assets), reveals the potential of applying it in the shipping industry. The availability of spare parts is important for the vessel maintenance. Additive manufacturing could shorten the space parts supply chain in the maritime industry, since the part could be made near the place it is needed.

The integration of IT, OT, and human factor elements in maritime assets is critical for their efficient and safe operation and performance. This integration defines cyber physical systems and involves a number of IT and OT components, systems, and functions that involve multiple and diverse communication paths that are technologically and operationally evolving along with credible cyber security threats. These cyber security threats and risks as well as a number of known security breach scenarios are described in this paper to highlight the evolution of cyber physical systems in the maritime domain and their emerging cyber vulnerabilities. Current industry and governmental standards and directives related to cyber security in the maritime domain attempt to enforce the regulatory compliance and reinforce asset cyber security integrity for optimum and safe performance with limited focus, however, in the existing OT infrastructure and systems. The use of outside-of-the-maritime industry security risk assessment tools and processes, such the API STD 780 Security Risk Assessment (SRA) and the Bow Tie Analysis methodologies, can assist the asset owner to assess its IT and OT infrastructure for cyber and physical security vulnerabilities and allocate proper mitigation measures assuming their similarities to ICS infrastructure. The application of cyber security controls deriving from the adaptation of the NIST CSF and the MITRE ATT&CK Threat Model can further increase the cyber security integrity of maritime assets, assuming they are periodically evaluated for their effectiveness and applicability. Finally, the improvement in communication among stakeholders, the increase in operational and technical cyber and physical security resiliency, and the increase in operational cyber security awareness would be further increased for maritime assets by the convergence of the distinct physical and cyber security functions as well as onshore- and offshore-based cyber infrastructure of maritime companies and asset owners.

3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM) (in the industrial context) is an innovative, as opposed to subtractive, technology, bringing new opportunities and benefits to the spare part supply chain (SPSC). The aim of this work is to capture the views of the stakeholders at the end of the chain, extruding factors that will benefit the end-user and the factors that are likely to be an obstacle, by employing the questionnaire method. Company objectives regarding spares (cost reductions, improvement of services, space reduction) have been prioritized differently by the stakeholders. The most important barriers according to the participants are the quality assurance of the spare parts made by the new technology followed by the know-how and skills of staff. Other views such as suitable parts are suggested. The practical value of this work, in addition to assessing the readiness of the industry, is that it provides guidance for the successful implementation of AM in the maritime industry.

In an ever-evolving technological industry, the oil and gas sector is already moving forward through the adaptation of Industry 4.0 and the adaptation of advanced cyber technologies through Oil and Gas 4.0. As IT/OT (information technology/operational technology) systems are evolving technologically, so are the cyber security threats faced by the offshore oil and gas assets. This paper aims to raise the awareness of cyber security threats and the organizational and technical measures that need to be adopted by the oil and gas industry for remote and complex assets in the upstream sector. A comprehensive literature review covering the areas of new IT/OT systems integration and cyber security risk analysis and management is presented. The results of a survey on the subject of cyber security for offshore oil and gas assets are also presented, and they provide valuable insight into the current industry culture and the perception of cyber security concepts. The importance of organizational culture, personnel training and involvement, as well as corporate engagement and support in the subject of cyber security is highlighted.

The paper argues for the necessity of a combination MMR methods (questionnaire, interview) and sentiment/opinion techniques to personal satisfaction analysis at the maritime and training education and proposes a generic, but practical research approach for this purpose. The proposed approach concerns the personal satisfaction evaluation of Engine Room simulator systems and combines the speech recording (sentiment/opinion analysis) for measuring emotional user responses with usability testing (SUS tool). The experimental procedure presented here is a primary effort to research the emotion analysis (satisfaction) of the users-students in Engine Room Simulators. Finally, the ultimate goal of this research is to find and test the critical factors that influence the educational practice and user’s satisfaction of Engine Room Simulator Systems and the ability to conduct full-time system control by the marine crew.

The air transport industry in Greece has been experiencing a significant growth. However, higher education has missed so far this export opportunity. Public universities and technological educational institutes have very limited undergraduate offerings in the fields of aeronautical engineering and aircraft maintenance technology, respectively. These programs are offered only in the local language, practically restricting them to the indigenous market. Postgraduate offerings are currently inexistent. This study proposes a generic model for undergraduate and postgraduate aviation programs. This model, aligning with the world’s best practice in aviation education, would have to be adjusted to meet the Greek aviation industry. A preliminary investigation to identify the characteristics of the model was conducted in the Greek aviation industry, through a survey supported with in-depth interviews. The research findings suggest that it is necessary to invest in the strengths of the Greek aviation industry (aviation services and aircraft maintenance) and the strategic advantages of the country (climate favorable for flight training and touristic attractiveness). The need for a postgraduate aviation program is highlighted, in contrast to the introduction of an undergraduate program, which came up as less desirable. Moreover, the need for export-driven target-oriented synergies between industry and academia has been a key observation.

The evaluation with the use of neuroscience methods and tools of a student’s satisfaction – happiness from using the e-learning system (e-learning platforms, e-games, simulators) poses an important research subject matter. In the present paper, it is presented a research on course conducted in the Marine Training Centre of Piraeus. In particular, this research with the use of a neuroscience tools-gaze tracker and voice recording (lexical analysis), investigates the amount of satisfaction of the students using Engine room simulator (ERS 5L90MCL11, Kongsberg 2003 AS) and ECDIS system by monitoring the users’ eye movement and speech in combination with the use of qualitative and quantitative methods. The ultimate goal of this research is to find and test the critical factors that influence the educational practice and user satisfaction of e-learning marine systems and the ability to conduct full-time system control by the marine crew.

This study explores the potential deployment of small satellites for maritime interdiction and security applications by investigating the available solutions and formulating a generic proposal to optimize the use of those short-lived space assets in support of these operations. The operational background is analyzed with respect to the potential use of these systems by field officers. An analysis for operational micro and picosatellite characteristics is executed, and a brief outlook on the vulnerabilities of those for Low Earth Orbits is given. Moreover, a real scenario has been implemented, and the obtained computational results provide useful insight into how these space systems can be used for maritime security operations. Particular reference is given to the state-of-the-art status of propulsion systems capable of enhancing the lifetime of the satellites. Similarly, a literature survey has been conducted collecting all available picosatellites in orbit today that deal with maritime security applications. The study also explores the application of Lambdasat picosatellite (currently in orbit) to demonstrate the capability of exchanging alert messages between ground stations in Greece and in the US and vessels in the middle of the ocean. With these experiments we will demonstrate the ability magnitude of a picosatellite to support maritime operations.

This study critically examines the transition process followed by a state-owned airline in a major IT migration project (introduction of novel electronic services). The change management process proposed by Kotter (1995) is examined in relation to the different phases identifed, based on an interview based qualitative research. Focusing on the project team leaders a set of results is identifed / determined, which provides signifcant insight into the key factors, defciencies and outcomes of the project, with reference to the characteristics of a state-owned company. Further elaboration of the proposed methodology is deemed to be applicable in the identifcation of the weak and strong points of similar change projects.

In this paper, the evaluation of the effect of variable power is presented, which is caused from changing environmental conditions. These affect system operation which consists of a wind turbine which provides the necessary power and a desalination potable water production unit installed on a floating offshore structure. The integration of wind variations in the failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) method is done with the addition of a factor that affects the estimation of occurrence rating and sometimes the potential detection rating. The experience from previous potable water reverse osmosis systems and machineries together with the data and literature from projects with offshore wind turbines were studied and applied to FMEA to improve the risk evaluation of the system. Finally, analyzing the results of RPN in this novel offshore floating desalination unit powered from wind turbine show how the substantial wind load variations extend the risk prioritization method beyond the conventional risk priority number (RPN) method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]