Search

Digitalization is constantly altering company paradigms and expanding cross-border supply chain prospects. Maritime transportation plays an increasingly essential part in the global supply network. Since maritime shipping services need to exchange a huge number of papers and paperwork across numerous companies, the usage of a unified platform for inter-organisational communication and information sharing is required. To develop an integrative, adaptive, and intelligent container booking system, a multi-agent architecture is designed in this article. The proposed architecture will aid the maritime industry in establishing real-time information interchange between autonomous agents, shippers, freight forwarders, and shipping lines. The process outlined in this paper reveals how the agents communicate with one another to resolve underlying inconsistencies. With the multi-agent framework, the article also presents a container slot optimisation problem considering market segmentation, different booking periods, heterogeneous containers and port congestion scenarios. Using this model the managers can find the booking limit for each type of containers and accordingly they can accept or reject the incoming booking requests. Furthermore, a simulated case study is also provided to validate the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid growth of the global economy has boosted the shipping industry, but it has also increased energy consumption and exhaust emissions. Based on the system dynamics method, we construct a carbon abatement model of maritime supply chain, in which the interaction among company, economy, energy, environment, and policy is deeply analysed. The effect of various carbon abatement measures is simulated with a case study of Shanghai Port. The results prove that the shore power has tremendous potential for reducing emissions. Interestingly, the emission trading scheme has little effect on emission reduction. Conversely, it will increase CO2 emissions because of the vicious circle of higher CO2 production and decreased CO2 treatment capability. Case 4 is the best alternative for reducing CO2 emissions in maritime supply chain when combined measures are applied, regardless of the emission reduction effect or carbon emission intensity. Thus, it is most effective to mobilise all kinds of resources to reduce CO2 emissions when conditions permit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastward displacement of Southwest Vortices (SWVs) profoundly impacts the precipitation in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) in summer. At present, the feedback mechanism of latent heating on the persistent eastward movement of SWVs under the influence of the orographic effect of the second‐step terrain in China remains unclear. Therefore, this study focused on clarifying the relationship between orographic effects and the mechanisms governing the persistent eastward movements of SWVs, as well as the feedback effect of latent heating on the eastward‐moving SWVs. In this study, it is revealed that discontinuous maintenance of closed vortex circulation occurs when eastward‐moving SWVs pass over the second‐step terrain region. Specifically, eastward‐moving SWVs first experience dissolution on the windward side, followed by substantial reconstruction of closed vortex circulation on the leeward side when passing over the second‐step terrain region. Moreover, the reconstruction of closed vortex circulation on the leeward side is closely associated with the feedback effect of latent heating, and the microphysical property of cold clouds identified during the vortex intensification determines the dual‐peak feature observed in the vertical constitution of the total latent heating, which is related to two major phase‐transition processes: the condensation of water vapor into liquid‐phase hydrometeors (LCP_vapor) process and the desublimation of water vapor into ice‐phase hydrometeors (LSP_vapor) process. From a potential vorticity (PV) perspective, latent heating promotes the genesis of PV anomalies, which accordingly facilitates the maintenance of a positive "vorticity tower" (i.e., total budget of vorticity) via the tilting effect and the horizontal advection effect of local vorticity. Further sensitivity experiments of latent heating indicated that latent heating associated with the LCP_vapor process fulfills a more important role in sustaining the positive "vorticity tower" than does that associated with the LSP_vapor process during the vortex intensification. Plain Language Summary: This study focused on clarifying the relationship between the orographic effect of the second‐step terrain and the vertical distribution of latent heating, as well as unraveling the feedback mechanism of latent heating on the intensification of vortices downstream of the second‐step terrain. The microphysical properties of cold clouds are further highlighted during the intensification of vortices, and the vertical profile of latent heating exhibits double‐peak features correspondingly. This is associated with two categories of phase‐transition processes: the condensation of water vapor into liquid‐phase hydrometeors (i.e., LCP_vapor) and the desublimation of water vapor into ice‐phase hydrometeors (i.e., LSP_vapor). Further analysis confirms that the topographically enhanced convection downstream of the second‐step terrain provides favorable dynamic conditions for further vertical transportation of water vapor, which substantially facilitates the LCP_vapor and LSP_vapor processes. Latent heating is conducive to the genesis of PV anomalies and facilitates the maintenance of a positive "vorticity tower" via the tilting effect and the horizontal advection effect of local vorticity, which plays crucial roles in strengthening vortices. Key Points: The evolution of vortices indicates the closed vortices is not a continuous maintenance process during the eastward propagation of the SWVsA causal relationship is established between the orographic effect of the second‐step terrain and the latent heating via convectionThe condensation process of water vapor plays the most decisive role in affecting the feedback effect of latent heating [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CO2 emission reduction of sectors such as aviation, maritime shipping, road haulage, and chemical production is challenging but necessary. Although these sectors will most likely continue to rely on carbonaceous energy carriers, they are expected to gradually shift away from fossil fuels. In order to do so, the prominent option is to utilize alternative carbon sources--like biomass and CO2 originating from carbon capture--for the production of non-fossil carbonaceous vectors (biofuels and e-fuels). However, the limited availability of biomass and the varying nature of other carbon sources necessitate a comprehensive evaluation of trade-offs between potential carbon uses and existing sources. Then, it is primordial to understand the origin of carbon used in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to understand the implications of defossilizing aviation for the energy system. Moreover, the production of SAF implies deep changes to the energy system that are quantified in this work. This study utilizes the linear programming cost optimization tool EnergyScope TD to analyze the holistic French energy system, encompassing transport, industry, electricity, and heat sectors while ensuring net greenhouse gas neutrality. A novel method to model and quantify carbon flows within the system is introduced, enabling a comprehensive assessment of greenhouse gas neutrality. This study highlights the significance of fulfilling clean energy requirements and implementing carbon dioxide removal measures as crucial steps toward achieving climate neutrality. Indeed, to reach climate neutrality, a production of 1,046 TWh of electricity by non-fossil sources is needed. Furthermore, the findings underscore the critical role of efficient carbon and energy valorization from biomass, providing evidence that producing fuels by combining biomass and hydrogen is optimal. The study also offers valuable insights into the future cost and impact of SAF production for air travel originating from France. That is, the European law ReFuelEU would increase the price of plane tickets by +33% and would require 126 TWh of hydrogen and 50 TWh of biomass to produce the necessary 91 TWh of jet fuel. Finally, the implications of the assumption behind the production of SAF are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological innovation is changing the way maritime transport is done, and automated driving is one of the hot topics, including unmanned ships that use automated driving technology, but legal challenges to the application of unmanned ships in the shipping industry must be resolved before that happens --whether and how the principles of existing international conventions regarding unmanned ships. To deal with this problem, it is far from enough to rely on the efforts of international organizations or the revision of international conventions. The paper analyzes several typical legal issues faced by unmanned ships: the legal definition of unmanned ships, the seaworthiness of unmanned ships, the master and crew rules, and the collision and rescue of unmanned ships, taking China as an example, the paper explains reasonable and effective legal path of domestic and international laws, trying to seek solutions at the level of domestic law beyond international convention. The paper concludes that the traditional navigation rules have largely been developed to meet the needs of manned transportation, and cannot be fully applied to unmanned ships. Therefore, until there is an international regulation specifically for unmanned ships, it would be appropriate to interpret or revise existing international conventions to apply to unmanned ships. And for countries including China, it is important to consider the improvement of domestic laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed at improving the energy efficiency of the distribution of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as shipping fuel in the southern Baltic Sea. The objective of this study was to determine the demand for LNG for maritime shipping by analyzing the distribution of the resource from the water side (ship-to-ship). LNG was chosen due to the location of the LNG terminal in Świnoujście within the analyzed water area, where a problem has arisen in the southern part of the Baltic Sea regarding fuel supply for vessels due to the lack of developed infrastructure along the coast. An analysis was conducted to optimize the size of the LNG fleet and infrastructure facilities. Seeking compliance with Annex VI to the MARPOL 73/78 Convention, adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), shipowners see potential in the switch from conventional fuels to LNG. As one of the alternative solutions, it will contribute to reducing harmful emissions. Determination of the LNG distribution volume requires the identification of LNG storage facility locations, specifying the number of LNG-powered ships (broken down by type) and the number of LNG bunkering ships. The first part of this study contains a detailed analysis of the number of sea-going ships that provide services in the southern part of the Baltic Sea and the world's number of LNG bunkering ships. The database contains a set of the characteristics required to determine the optimal demand for LNG, where LNG bunkering vessels are capable of supplying fuel within the shortest possible time and covering the shortest possible distance to LNG-powered ships. The characteristics include the type of ship, requested LNG volume, the speed of LNG bunkering ships, the distance between LNG facilities, and the loading rate (the volume of fuel received per time unit). Based on the collected data, the volume of LNG distribution was determined using MATLAB R2019a software. The remainder of this study contains a description of the conducted research and results of an analysis of the traffic density in the Baltic Sea. The results were obtained on the basis of data from the Statistical Yearbook of Maritime Economy and IALA IWRAP Mk2 2020 software. The number of LNG-powered ships and number of LNG bunkering ships were specified, and the demand for LNG for the area under analysis was determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As crucial water conservancy projects, ship locks play a key role in flood control, shipping, water resource allocation, and promoting regional economic development, making them an indispensable part of the modern water transportation system. Utilizing satellite remote sensing for lock extraction can significantly reduce manual workload and costs, assist in the daily dynamic maintenance of lock hubs, and provide more comprehensive data support for the construction and management of water transport infrastructure. In this context, this paper proposes a new method for ship lock object extraction. Leveraging fuzzy theory and prior knowledge of locks, the extraction of lock objects is achieved from Gaofen-1 (GF-1) high-resolution remote sensing images. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can effectively extract small lock objects in remote sensing images, achieving an average extraction accuracy of 80.9% in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional e-commerce's traffic dividend is gradually declining, while social e-commerce as a new business model has attracted numerous enterprises to jump into by virtue of the advantages of viral traffic aggregation and efficient conversion. How to improve the core competitiveness and stand out from the Red Ocean battle of traffic competition is of great significance for the healthy and sustainable development of social e-commerce platforms. In view of this, this study focuses on the issues related to the attractiveness of social e-commerce platforms from the consumer's perceptive, with the aim of providing theoretical support for social e-commerce platforms to enhance their core competitiveness and formulate relevant development strategies and decision-making mechanisms. First, four key factors affecting the attractiveness of social e-commerce platforms based on the AISAS model are proposed: the ability to attract consumers to access, promote consumers' purchase conversion, maintain consumers' platform loyalty, and attract to share experiences. Second, an attractiveness assessment model for social e-commerce platform including four secondary indicators and corresponding 14 tertiary indicators is constructed by using Analytic Hierarchy Process, and an arithmetic example is demonstrated. Finally, management suggestions to enhance the attractiveness of social e-commerce platforms are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is the top imported fish in Japan. It is usually shipped in chilled form by air cargo to preserve its freshness but posts a high environmental impact. As a sustainable alternative, ocean freight can be implemented if the salmon is frozen. However, the question arises as to whether the quality of the frozen and thawed salmon is comparable. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the environmental impact and quality of Norwegian Atlantic salmon in chilled and frozen form. The CO 2 equivalent emissions of the key life-cycle stages were calculated, and the quality assessment was carried out by colorimetry and sensory evaluation with careful preparation and execution. The results showed that the CO 2 equivalent emissions of the packaging, transport, and overall cycle of the frozen salmon were 35 %, 90 %, and 60 % lower than those of the chilled salmon. Color measurements using digital imaging show that the frozen salmon is slightly redder, with a higher a* value and a lower b* value. Panelist ratings indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in perceived color, glossiness, fishy smell, texture, umami, and juiciness between chilled and frozen salmon. The study provides preliminary results that demonstrate the potential of frozen seafood and ocean freight transportation as a sustainable cold chain solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary waves produced by large ships in confined waterways can threaten the sustainability and safety of coastal regions near maritime shipping routes, but the present understanding and predictability of primary wave shallow-water characteristics is hindered by a scarcity of available field observations. This study presents hydrodynamic measurements from 296 primary waves observed in 3.5 to 4.4 m mean water depth throughout four deployments on the channel margins of the Savannah River in Georgia, USA. Ship details and tidally varying waterway parameters are paired with pressure and fluid velocity data to investigate relationships between ship characteristics, waterway conditions, and primary wave magnitudes. Findings show that although larger and faster ships tend to produce larger primary waves, there are inconsistencies among the magnitudes of waves generated by similar ship passages. Additionally, depression prediction equations perform well for most observations, but a small group of "atypically-large" primary waves with depressions exceeding 75 cm are consistently underpredicted and require further investigation. Hydrodynamic, waterway, and ship data are made available in the Supplemental Data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second-hand ship market is one of the main markets of the maritime economy where existing ships are traded, and price volatility is very high. Analyzing the factors that cause price volatility is significant for asset players in the shipping industry. For this reason, this study aims to evaluate the factors affecting the price in the second-hand ship market and to determine the variables that affect the price most in ship valuation. Thus, it is aimed to provide essential insights to market players with the findings obtained. In the study, an application has been made to evaluate the factors affecting the price in the second-hand ship market together and simultaneously. The 25 sub-criteria consisted of Economic Factors, Ship Characteristics, and Buyer and Seller Characteristics main-criteria obtained from the literature were evaluated. The evaluations were carried out using the SWARA technique, one of the MCDM methods. The results provide essential information for ship asset players to hedge their financial risks, manage their cash flows and debts, and make better decisions in the second-hand ship market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to establish the link between blockchain technology adoption in the maritime and shipping industry and its impact on maritime supply chain integration via a systematic review of both the academic and practice literature. In total 148 articles were identified and analysed. Blockchain applications identified from the literature are categorized into three domains: document management, transaction management, and cargo/vessel/terminal operations. An analysis of the benefits and challenges that influence the deployment of blockchain technology for maritime supply chain integration leads to the development of an integrated and extended Technology, Organization, and Environment (TOE) framework. This study is among the first to examine the current state of blockchain diffusion within the maritime supply chain, making a significant contribution to the field. The extended TOE framework offers guidance for future research and understanding of the relationship between blockchain adoption and maritime supply chain integration. It can be used to assist organisations in successfully adopting blockchain technology in their supply chain operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-consuming ocean transportation for international trades requires enterprises to advance payments for goods, which can be fatal for small and medium enterprises with insufficient self-owned capital. Logistics finance is an effective solution for tackling this problem. However, traditional logistics finance has long been plagued by information asymmetry, tremendous paperwork, and long financing cycles. As a distributed database with characteristics of transparency, traceability, and immutability, blockchain technology shows good potential in addressing pain points on traditional logistics financing platforms. This paper focuses on the operational mechanism and value analysis of the blockchain-based port logistics finance platform. The conceptual architecture of the blockchain-based port logistics finance platform is constructed, and a value analysis model based on the Newsboy Model is established for quantitatively analysing the platform's value. The results revealed that the introduction of the blockchain into port logistics financing can significantly improve small to medium-sized enterprises' profitability by providing reliable financing channels. The results also indicate that participants' profit on the blockchain-based platform may be influenced by the speed of market expansion, initial capital size, and financing cost. This paper also discusses theoretical and managerial implications by providing insights into the participants' decision-making on the platform under different constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shipping industry is a capital-intensive industry in which ship investment and demolition are directly related to the company's profitability, transportation capacity, and fleet structure. Thus, companies need to consider investment and demolition activities carefully before making decisions about fleet deployment. This study focuses on decisions related to investment in new and second-hand vessels as well as vessel demolition in different sub-markets of the container shipping market at the same time. By considering market factors, operating conditions, and shipping alliances, we developed a systematic model for the container market. This model innovatively employs a simultaneous equations model (SEM) to analyze fleet deployment decisions and uses the three-stage least squares method to avoid endogenous effects. The results indicate that shipping alliances, fleet deployment, and bunker price all have significant effects on the investment and demolition decisions of shipping companies. We further discuss the strategic decisions of shipping companies related to joining shipping alliances and highlight the considerations of larger companies when expanding (primarily squeezing out competition and responding to the market). The results provide valuable information for shipping companies to determine the best ship deployment strategies and avoid overcapacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, with increasing maritime trade, the shipping industry has faced the challenge of mitigating escalating greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigates the cost mitigation strategies of shipping companies in response to three key regulations: the Carbon Intensity Indicator, the EU Emissions Trading System, and the FuelEU Maritime regulation. By proposing optimal speeds for container ships on the Asia–Europe route and examining the potential for carbon leakage, the study aims to predict strategies of shipping companies and derive insights for achieving sustainable regulatory compliance. The results provide a comprehensive analysis of the regulations' impact on operational costs and emissions, with the robustness of the findings confirmed through extensive sensitivity analyses. The discussion highlights the unintended consequences of current regulations that may deviate from the ultimate objectives of reducing GHG emissions and achieving sustainable maritime transport. Ultimately, the study seeks to support the development of effective maritime regulations that align with the operational strategies of shipping companies, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to achieve the intended outcomes of environmental policies. • Integrated analysis of EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime, and CII regulations in shipping costs. • Case study approach proposes optimal speeds for Asia-Europe container ships. • Results reveal potential carbon leakage due to cost-optimal strategies under regulations. • Unintended consequences highlight the need for a holistic approach to sustainability. • Insights provide guidance for sustainable shipping strategies post-regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work applies a bootstrap multivariate panel Granger causality test to examine the causal relationship between the coronavirus disease 2019, Delta and Omicron pandemic eras and the maritime shipping freight industry across 15 Chinese marine transportation freight stocks through the data from Jannuary 23, 2020 to December 6, 2022. After accounting for both dependency and heterogeneity across these industries, we find support for six of the 15 maritime shipping freight enterprises which display a unidirectional Granger relationship between stock returns and pandemic-related shocks and five of them which demonstrate a bidirectional association. On the other hand, the stock values of three firms in this cohort Granger "lead" the epidemic, suggesting that the adjustment of expectations to external shocks and the efficient market hypothesis could elucidate apparent causal connections. The empirical findings of this work provide important policy implications for the maritime shipping freight industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify the current trends in the literature on marine insurance by applying a bibliometric review of documents published in the Scopus database. This analysis was based on the most cited papers, most influential authors, countries, and organizations, as well as the most frequent keywords. In addition, qualitative content analysis was conducted. It reviewed 293 documents on marine insurance. Bibliometric analysis was performed using VOSviewer, and qualitative content analysis was performed using WordStat. The results identify three major clusters: (1) risk assessment, (2) marine insurance, and (3) the insurance industry. This paper also presents recommendations for future research in this field. The findings of this study have implications for marine insurance, such as new developments to be implemented in the insurance industry to enhance its efficiency. This study is the first to review marine insurance publications that can be largely used for insurance practices. This study provides an overview of how the literature on marine insurance research has developed, as well as a summary of the most influential authors, along with countries, organizations, and journal sources. This offers an opportunity for future research to focus on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) in desalinating water has become very popular for obtaining purified water from polluted water. However, finding an efficient evaporator with low cost is a challenging task for researchers. In this work, we introduce natural bamboo wood (BW) that acts as an interfacial evaporator for obtaining purified water. Four different wood evaporators namely, flat wood (BW-FW), two-cut grooved wood (BW-2G), four-cut grooved wood (BW-4G), and four-cut grooved with Co3O4-coated wood (BW-4G/Co3O4) are used to study the mass loss (ML), evaporation rate (ER), and evaporation efficiency (EY). From the observations, BW-4G/Co3O4 gives an admirable ML, ER, and EY of 4.4 g, 3.366 kg m−2 h−1, and 91.34% under 1 sun illumination for 60 min. Also, the BW-4G/Co3O4 evaporator is kept under natural sun illumination. It achieves 17.8 g of ML, 1.92 kg m−2 h−1 of ER, and 76% of EY respectively under 604.762 W/m2 solar illumination for 8 h. The reasons for the observed results are as follows: (i) the presence of grooves increases the exposing area for solar illuminations, (ii) super hydrophilicity nature of wood gives continuous replenishment of water from the bottom to the evaporative surface, (iii) the excellent salt rejection property of wood aids in continuous water transportation without salt accumulations. As a result of the condensed seawater samples, the ion concentrations (zinc, magnesium, cadmium, lead, copper, and sodium) come under WHO standards. Consequently, it gives better dye water separation from polluted water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This summary provides an overview of a journal issue focused on European perspectives in political process research. The articles cover a range of topics, including political networks, causal mechanisms in policy change, EU governance, migration policy, animal welfare policies, policy learning, and individual drivers of policy preferences. The European Policy Analysis (EPA) journal has received high citation scores and is ranked in the top quartile in political science and public administration categories. The article also emphasizes the importance of conferences and journal rankings in attracting high-quality submissions and promoting the journal's impact in the field. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of European Policy Analysis is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper examines strategic enforcement approaches relying on co-enforcement and transgovernmentalist. It examines three cases in the construction industry in Austria, Asturias (Spain), and Poland, as well as three cases in maritime shipping in Finland, Spain, and Poland, focussing on Labour Inspection's (LI)s motivations for engaging in co-enforcement and transnational cooperation. Data collection involved desk research, semi-structured interviews (39 construction and 14 in maritime), observation of inspections, and participant observation in EU seminars we organised together with regulatory actors (specific details are provided in the appendix). Findings show that LI's selection of co-enforcement and transnational alliances are driven by the specific and highly contingent challenges each organisation faces. LI organisations are seeking to exploit synergies, but both the material reality and perception of these depends on diverse pre-existing infrastructures and organisation-specific assets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ship-breaking yards are recognized for releasing hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), leading to severe environmental pollution in the sediment of ship-breaking areas. This study assessed the concentrations of 16 priority PAHs in surface sediments collected from the intertidal zone adjacent to the Sitakund ship-breaking yards. The samples underwent Soxhlet extraction and detection using PerkinElmer GC-Clarus 690 and MS-Clarus SQ8C with an Elite-5MS capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm ID × 0.25 µm). The study utilized PAH concentrations to reveal spatial distribution patterns, identify point sources, and assess potential toxicity. The total PAH concentration ranged from 1899.2 to 156,800.08 ng g−1 dw, while the concentration of 7 carcinogenic PAHs ranged from 822.03 to 1899.15 ng g−1 dw. High molecular weight PAHs dominated among the 16 PAHs, whereas low molecular weight PAHs, such as 2-ring PAHs, were negligible. Source characterization based on different molecular ratios suggested that PAHs in the area originated from pyrolytic processes related to ship dismantling, fishing activities, and water transportation for people. The observed PAH concentrations exceeded both national and international standards for sedimentary PAH levels, indicating significant ecological risks. The total TEQcarc values of sediment samples varied from 564.41 to 10,695.12 ng g−1, with a mean value of 3091.25 ng g−1. The study's findings underscore the immediate biological damage that PAH contamination in the Sitakund ship-breaking area could cause, emphasizing the need for effective control measures to ensure ecological and human safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Losses in irrigation canals occur during the process of water transportation. In irrigation conveyance water losses, seepage loss is the main contributor to total water loss. The most problematic factors are cracks and settlement of the lined canal in canal lining structures. Water loss occurs in earth channels, mainly due to erosion and the permeability of the material. The concrete, as it does not present cracks, will have a less impermeable layer. Usually, seepage loss comprises 20–30% of the total water loss, and it can be reduced to 15–20% with canal linings. By enhancing the flexure and split tensile strength of concrete, the rate of cracking in the canal lining can be controlled. Concrete's split tensile strength is one of the most important factors in crack control. The behavior (compressive, flexural, and split tensile properties, water absorption, linear shrinkage mass loss, etc.) of hybrid polypropylene and jute fiber-reinforced concrete (HPJF-RC) for the application of canal linings was studied. In this experimental work, a total of nine mixes were made with different lengths and contents of hybrid polypropylene and jute fiber-reinforced concrete (HPJF-RC) and a control mix. The SEM analysis was performed to explore the hybrid fiber cracking mechanism and the bonding of fibers with the concrete. The crack arresting mechanism of the HPJF-RC will help to reduce water losses in concrete canal linings. With this modern material, the water losses in canal linings can be minimized. The results of this experimental work would be helpful as a reference for both industry experts and academic researchers interested in the advancement of HPJF-RC composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MXenes are layered 2D materials with fascinating properties such as large surface area, good electrical conductivity, good chemical, and electrochemical stabilities, etc. However, the high cost of MAX phases remains a major bottleneck for the large-scale synthesis of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene for industrial applications. This motivated us to strategically design a method for the large-scale synthesis of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene using low-cost waste-derived precursors. Initially, we used carbon soot obtained from car exhaust as a low-cost carbon precursor for the synthesis of the Ti 3 AlC 2 MAX phase. Further, the Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene is synthesized from this MAX phase with better purity. Furthermore, the Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene-activated carbon (AC) composite is prepared and coated over a natural biodegradable sponge (NBS) in order to use it as an efficient photothermal/solar absorber to produce steam using solar energy. The NBS layer exhibits a microporous structure that provides adequate water transportation and concentrated heat for interfacial water evaporation whereas the Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene and AC provide large surface area and stability to the absorber. The Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene-AC@NBS composite successfully produced solar evaporation rates of up to 1.8 kg m2/h with a solar steam conversion efficiency of 89.82 % with one sun solar irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nephron loop-vessel countercurrent arrangement in the medulla provides the structural basis for the formation of concentrated urine. To date, the morphogenesis of it and relevant water and solutes transportation has not been fully elucidated. In this study, with immunohistochemistry for aquaporins (AQP) and Na-K-2Cl co-transporter (NKCC2), as well as 3D visualization, we noticed in embryonic day 14.5 kidneys that the countercurrent arrangement of two pairs of loop-vessel was established as soon as the loop and vessel both extended into the medulla. One pair happened between descending limb and ascending vasa recta, the other occurred between thick ascending limb and descending vasa recta. Meanwhile, the immunohistochemical results showed that the limb and vessel expressing AQP-1 such as descending thick and thin limb and descending vasa recta was always accompanied with AQP-1 negative ascending vasa recta or capillaries and thick ascending limb, respectively. Moreover, the thick ascending limb expressing NKCC2 closely contacted with descending vasa recta without expressing NKCC2. As kidney developed, an increasing number of loop-vessels in countercurrent arrangement extended into the interstitium of the medulla. In addition, we observed that the AQP-2 positive ureteric bud and their branches were separated from those pairs of tubule-vessels by a relatively large and thin-walled veins or capillaries. Thus, the present study reveals that the loop-vessel countercurrent arrangement is formed at the early stage of nephrogenesis, which facilitates the efficient transportation of water and electrolytes to maintain the medullary osmolality and to form a concentrated urine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous and directional water droplet transportation based on patterned surface with super-wettability is crucial for the development of frontier science technology. However, water droplet transportation cannot meet both long distance and fast transportation simultaneously. Here, we overcame this limitation by proposing an asymmetric serial brachistochrone-shaped pattern (ASBP). Water droplet could be transported on the ASBP with a transportation distance of 72.52 mm and a transportation velocity of 158 mm/s after a series of single-factor experiments, orthogonal design optimization, and junction transition optimization. In addition, the water droplet could be transported on a curved ASBP, a super-long ASBP for multi-droplet scenarios, and an ASBP at an inclination angle. Moreover, acidic and alkaline aqueous solution droplet showed similar transportation distance and transportation velocity on the ASBP. Based on the aforementioned superb water transportation capacity, this ASBP can be applied in the fields of fog collection, solution mixing and reaction, and reagent detection. This work has strong implications for promoting the application of patterned surface with super-wettability in the field of high-performance fluid transportation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer vision (CV) techniques have been widely studied and applied in the shipping industry and maritime research. The existing literature has primarily focused on enhancing image recognition accuracy and precision for water surface targets by refining CV models themselves. This paper introduces innovative methods to further improve the accuracy of detection and recognition using CV models, including using ensemble learning and integrating shipping domain knowledge. Additionally, we present a novel application of CV techniques in the maritime domain, expanding the research perspective beyond the traditional focus on the accurate detection and recognition of water surface targets. Specifically, a novel solution integrating a CV model and the transfer learning method is proposed in this paper to address the challenge of relatively low-speed and high-charge internet services on ocean-going vessels, aiming to improve the online video viewing experience while conserving network resources. This paper is of importance for advancing further research and application of CV techniques in the shipping industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global water crisis demands immediate attention, and atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) provides a viable alternative. However, studying the real‐time subtle relationship between water absorption, diffusion, and internal structure for hygroscopic materials is challenging. Herein, a dynamic visualization technique is proposed that utilizes an in situ electrical impedance tomography (EIT) system and a precise reconstruction algorithm to achieve real‐time monitoring of the water sorption process within aerogels from an internal microstructural perspective. These results can be inferred that composites' pore sizes affecting the kinetics of their moisture absorption. In addition, the diffusion path of moisture absorption and the distribution of stored moisture inside aerogels exhibit intrinsic self‐selective behavior, where the fiber skeleton of the aerogel plays a crucial role. In summary, this work proposes a generic EIT‐based technique for the in situ and dynamic monitoring of the hygroscopic process, pointing to an entirely new approach regarding research on AWH materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focuses on synthesizing a high‐temperature stable membrane working under low relative humidity (RH) by aminating the traditional polyethersulfone polymer with aniline for fuel cell applications. A condensed‐phase optimized molecular potentials for atomistic simulation studies force field‐based molecular dynamics simulation was used to explore the microscopic properties and transport of water and hydronium (H3O+) ions across the electrolyte at varied temperatures and RHs. COMSOL calculates oxygen and hydrogen concentrations after examining the polymer–ion interaction with the radial distribution function (RDF). The high H3O+ diffusion coefficient of the aniline‐treated membrane shows the benefit of the modification. The RDF confirmed the high interaction of the amine group with H3O+ and water. The high proton conductivity of 0.18 Scm−1 at 150°C with 33% RH for the aniline‐treated membrane was obtained, which was further investigated in COMSOL software to determine the hydrogen and oxygen concentration at the anode and cathode sides, respectively. Both electrodes' water transportation profiles were simulated numerically. The aniline‐treated membrane's good findings suggest high‐temperature proton exchange fuel cell membrane potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The autolysis during live sea cucumber transportation is the main concern for the industry. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of ascorbic acid (AA) in reducing autolysis during the storage of live sea cucumbers. The live sea cucumbers were exposed for 5 days to seawater containing different concentrations of AA: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 mg/L. Stored sea cucumber evaluation factors, including individual appearance, sensory score, histologic section, seawater ammonia nitrogen content, and free protein content, were tested. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, activity change of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and genes expression level change of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), SOD, and GSH-PX were compared after storage. The results showed that the AA addition of 25 mg/mL led to a good live sea cucumber condition. The sensory score for AA treatment reached 79.8% of the fresh group, and its stored seawater contained the lowest levels of ammonia nitrogen and soluble protein among all treatment groups. Although the villi in the 25 mg/L treatment group showed slight breakage, they maintained a relatively intact structure with clear cytoplasm and nuclei. The lowest ROS and MDA levels were observed in the intestine and respiratory tree of the 25 mg/L treatment group. The addition of 25 mg/L of AA maximized the activities of CAT, GSH-PX, and SOD. Moreover, the expression of SDH, LDH, SOD, and GSH-PX genes was upregulated 8.8-fold, 5.8-fold, 5.1-fold, and 16-fold compared with the fresh group, respectively. Live sea cucumbers can be transported with 25 mg/L AA treatment, which prevents autolysis-induced deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As environmental regulations on exhaust gas are enforced worldwide and marine transportation is progressively strengthened, various methods are being explored to comply with emission regulations by using alternative energy sources. This study involved the optimization of a thermoelectric power generation (TEG) system, which converts thermal energy into electrical energy. The design of the TEG system was optimized by using CFD to analyze the heat transfer phenomena resulting from the relative positions of the TEG modules, and the results of this analysis were validated with 1/100 experimental scale measurement data. The comparison of the CFD results with the experimental measurements revealed that the maximum discrepancy exists for the temperature near the cooling jacket and for the amount of power generated by the system. The significant difference between the CFD and experimental results is attributable to the adiabatic conditions assumed for CFD since the experimental facility experiences heat loss to the atmosphere. In this study, we established an analysis methodology by conducting a comparative validation between CFD calculations and experimental data. The methodology is expected to play a significant role in optimizing the design of thermoelectric power generation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double suction centrifugal pumps, which feature large flow and head, are applied in water utility and transportation sectors. The efficiency, sound, and vibration levels are key performance indexes for double suction centrifugal pumps. This study aims to improve the performance of double suction pumps using a multi-objective optimization method. The Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) method is used to randomly generate sample data considering five key geometric parameters of the impeller, and the agent model training samples are generated using numerical computation. Then, the multi-objective optimization design of the impeller, focusing on the head, efficiency, and pressure pulsation energy as the objectives, was carried out by combining the Gaussian process regression (GPR) and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) algorithms. Results show that the head is increased by 3.91 m, the efficiency is increased by 0.2 %, and the pressure pulsation energy is reduced by 24 % compared with the original model. Meanwhile, the detailed information of energy loss and pressure pulsation in the pump was analyzed to understand the influence of impeller geometry parameters. This study provides a certain reference for the optimized design of double-suction pumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sail-assisted propulsion is an important energy-saving technology in the shipping industry, and the development of foldable wingsails has recently become a hot topic. This type of sail is usually composed of multiple elements, and its performance at different folding configurations is very sensitive to changes in incoming airflow, which result in practical operational challenges. Therefore, original and optimized three-element wingsails (bare and concave) are modeled and simulated using the unsteady RANS method with the k-ω SST turbulence model. Next, certain key design and structural parameters (such as angle of attack, apparent wind angle, and camber) are employed to characterize the auxiliary propulsion performance, and the differences are explained in combination with the flow field details. The results show that, in the unfolded state, the aerodynamic performance of the concave wingsail is better than that of the bare wingsail, exhibiting higher lift coefficients, lower drag coefficients, and a more stable surface flow. In the fully folded state, wherein both the nose and flap are rotated, the thrust performance of the concave wingsail remains superior. Specifically, at an angle of attack of 8 degrees, the thrust coefficient of the concave wingsail is approximately 23.5% higher than that of the bare wingsail, indicating improved wind energy utilization. The research results are of great significance for engineering applications and subsequent optimization design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In complex maritime scenarios where the grayscale polarity of ships is unknown, existing infrared ship detection methods may struggle to accurately detect ships among significant interference. To address this issue, this paper first proposes an infrared image smoothing method composed of Grayscale Morphological Reconstruction (GMR) and a Relative Total Variation (RTV). Additionally, a detection method considering the grayscale uniformity of ships and integrating shape and spatiotemporal features is established for detecting bright and dark ships in complex maritime scenarios. Initially, the input infrared images undergo opening (closing)-based GMR to preserve dark (bright) blobs with the opposite suppressed, followed by smoothing the image with the relative total variation model to reduce clutter and enhance the contrast of the ship. Subsequently, Maximally Stable Extremal Regions (MSER) are extracted from the smoothed image as candidate targets, and the results from the bright and dark channels are merged. Shape features are then utilized to eliminate clutter interference, yielding single-frame detection results. Finally, leveraging the stability of ships and the fluctuation of clutter, true targets are preserved through a multi-frame matching strategy. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms ITDBE, MRMF, and TFMSER in seven image sequences, achieving accurate and effective detection of both bright and dark polarity ship targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Just before the First World War, the largest French shipping line operating in the Indo-Pacific, the Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, reported that 44 percent of its personnel were non-Europeans. Made up of French colonial subjects and foreign citizens, this workforce hailed from across the layover ports of the empire's Indo-Pacific steamship highways. Portrayed by French labor leaders as strikebreaking scabs, and by the large shipping companies as docile peons, these "indigenous" seafarers were largely erased from French imperial and labor history before the First World War. Mobilizing archives from France, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam, especially ships' logs from the 1880s to the 1910s, this article reassesses the place of the French empire's Asian and African seafarers within an intensifying labor movement and an incipient imperial security state. Revisiting everything from mobile acts of outright rebellion to subtly assertive practices of placemaking, the article argues that indigenous seafarers had begun forging a disruptive politics of mobile labor well before the First World War. Their ability to wield power in the face of stigmatization and precarization, the article suggests, points to the underexplored tensions between the "New Imperial" French state and the subcontracted shipping lines on which it depended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spring atmospheric heat source (AHS) over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) has been suggested to affect the Asian summer monsoon and summer precipitation over South China. However, its influence on the summer precipitation in Northeast China (NEC) remains unknown. The connection between spring TP AHS and subsequent summer precipitation over NEC from 1961 to 2020 is analyzed in this study. Results illustrate that stronger spring TP AHS can enhance subsequent summer NEC precipitation, and higher soil moisture in the Yellow River Valley–North China region (YRVNC) acts as a bridge. During spring, the strong TP AHS could strengthen the transportation of water vapor to East China and lead to excessive rainfall in the YRVNC. Thus, soil moisture increases, which regulates local thermal conditions by decreasing local surface skin temperature and sensible heat. Owing to the memory of soil moisture, the lower spring sensible heat over the YRVNC can last until mid-summer, decrease the land–sea thermal contrast, and weaken the southerly winds over the East Asia–western Pacific region and convective activities over the South China Sea and tropical western Pacific. This modulates the East Asia–Pacific teleconnection pattern, which leads to a cyclonic anomaly and excessive summer precipitation over NEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Flood disaster is a very destructive natural disaster. The main reasons for its generation include heavy rainfall, storm surge and dam break. When flood disaster occurs in populated areas such as cities and towns, the flood will directly threaten the safety of life and property of residents. Also it will cause paralysis of land and underground transportation, interruption of water and electricity transportation. In the process of flood rescue, quick and accurate identification of flooded roads is conducive to planning appropriate personnel transfer and material transportation routes, and reducing subsequent losses caused by floods. Aiming at the problem that roads in the flood disaster scenario cannot be automatically and correctly identified, this paper proposes an end-to-end flooded road detection method based on deep learning. Methods: The proposed method uses a three-branch encoder-decoder structure and uses strip convolution, in which the efficient extraction of linear features is realized. And the coordination dual attention mechanism can effectively guide the network, and realize the identification of road areas. The method can effectively utilize the historical optical remote sensing images before the disaster and the real-time optical remote sensing during the disaster. The image is applied to detect the flooded and non-flooded roads in the disaster-stricken area, and a comparative experiment is carried out on the self-built dataset. Results: The experimental results show that the precison and recall rate are 0.838 1 and 0.666 8 on pre-disaster road, 0.796 6 and 0.607 4 on post-disaster road, 0.780 0 and 0.661 4 on affected road respectively. Conclusions: The proposed method has achieved the goal of automatically identifying the flooded roads in the flood-stricken area. The ability of detecting flooded roads and non-flooded roads can provide strong support for flood disaster rescue and reduce losses of life and property caused by flood disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EU recently decided to include shipping, meaning all intra-European shipping and 50% of extra-European voyages, in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) beginning in 2024. This article provides an early assessment of the impacts of the EU ETS on the shipping sector's potential reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for different types of ships. It further examines selected mitigation measures and the impact on modals split and costs. The study employs a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative estimates (based on data from the EU monitoring, reporting and verification system) with qualitative data and information from interviews with key actors and from previous literature. This approach aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of the EU ETS. The inclusion of shipping in the EU ETS is expected to introduce significant incentives to reduce emissions. We estimate that switching to bio-methanol at an emissions allowance price of €90–100/tCO2 will be cost-effective for a minor share of shipping segments (representing about 0.5-5% of all ships), whereas at a price above €150/tCO2 it could be cost-effective for a considerable share (potentially 75%) of ships. In the short term, the costs incurred by the EU ETS will be passed on to transport customers as a surcharge. The increased cost may, unless properly addressed, drive carbon leakage. Meanwhile, a modal shift away from shipping may occur in the roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) and roll-on passenger (RoPax) segments due to direct competition with road and rail transport and the relative ease of shifting to other modes of transport. Integrating shipping into the EU ETS is an important step towards reducing GHG emissions in the sector but also will reduce emissions of NOX, SOX, and PM. CO2 emissions from shipping constitute about 8% of GHG emissions from all sectors in the EU ETS. The need to purchase allowances will increase operating costs, which will initially be passed on to transport customers as a surcharge. Interviews confirm that a modal shift away from shipping to road and rail may occur in the RoRo and RoPax segments. Switching to bio-methanol may be cost-effective mainly for some ships in the RoRo, RoPax and reefer segments at an allowance price below €100/tCO2, while for most ships (about 85–100% of ships) it will be cost-effective above €200/tCO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International shipping is a major contributor to climate change. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has jurisdiction over the sector's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and in July 2023 agreed a revised climate change strategy, setting tightened targets for emissions reductions by 2030, 2040 and 2050. In this perspective article, we analyse the remaining carbon budgets available to the international shipping sector, to assess whether these new targets constitute a sufficient contribution to meeting the overarching Paris Agreement goal to limit global heating to 1.5°C. The new strategy sets both 'indicative checkpoints' and more ambitious 'strive' targets. Both represent a major advance over the previous strategy, however, only the 'strive' targets are compatible with the 1.5°C limit. The first 'strive' target is for 30% reductions by 2030, just seven years away. To meet this goal, it is imperative that the IMO, nation states and the shipping industry act immediately to accelerate deployment of known technologies and operational practices that improve energy efficiency and cut CO2 emissions in the existing fleet. The new IMO strategy represents a major improvement on the targets in the previous 2018 strategy. The 'indicative checkpoint' targets for 2030 and 2040 are not sufficient for a fair contribution from international shipping to meeting the Paris 1.5°C limit. Under generous assumptions, the 'strive' targets of 30% reductions by 2030 and 80% by 2040 are compatible with the 1.5°C limit. These should be considered a minimum level of ambition for the sector. Further delay would push compatibility with 1.5°C out of reach. It is imperative that policy makers and the industry focus on accelerated deployment of known technologies and practices to meet the 'strive' 30% goal by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to mitigate the environmental impact of chemical fertilizers, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have emerged as a more sustainable alternative. Streptomyces saraceticus 31 ('SS31'), a new strain of biocontrol bacteria, was inoculated into rhizosphere soils of 'Benifuji' grape to evaluate its impact on grape roots and berries. The results indicated significant improvements in soil fertility, with higher levels of organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, and nitrate nitrogen compared with those of the controls. Moreover, 'SS31' application elicited a notable reduction in soil pH levels, along with a substantial augmentation in the enzymatic activities of both phosphatase and invertase. The grapes treated with 'SS31' exhibited a notable increase in the number, length, surface area, and volume of fine roots in both 0- to 10-cm and 10- to 20-cm soil profiles. The application of 'SS31' resulted in the observation of greater diameter, lower density, and larger lumen area, along with increased specific hydraulic conductivity in the vessels of roots with 1- to 2-mm diameters. Despite a slight reduction in berry weight compared with that of the controls, 'Benifuji' grape berries displayed higher total soluble solids and lower total titratable acidity after 'SS31' application. Furthermore, 'SS31' treatment elevated the levels of volatile compounds in berries, especially fatty acid-derived compounds. A network analysis revealed a robust positive correlation between the observed improvements in grape berry quality and the morphology as well as the hydraulic conductivity of the grape fine roots. In conclusion, these findings suggest that 'SS31' has the potential to enhance grape root function by expanding the root absorption area and facilitating water transportation. This, in turn, may improve the flavor and aroma of 'Benifuji' grape berries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous Current Anthropology article considering the Scandinavian Bronze Age (Ling, Earle, and Kristiansen 2018), a model was proposed to explain the concentration of metal wealth and social stratification under conditions of low population density. This model is now considered to help understand anomalies in the archaeological sequence of eastern Taiwan during the Neolithic and Early Metal Ages. In contrast to Taiwan's agriculturally richer western coast, evidence of complexity arose unexpectedly early on the east despite its more limited agricultural soils and lower populations. We propose that these outcomes resulted from a maritime economy, in which local agricultural surpluses finance distant voyaging that an emergent elite might control. Travels carried a substantial amount of rare nephrite from Taiwan's eastern coast to Island Southeast Asia and the South China Sea. Subsequently, metals and glass technologies were introduced from there into Taiwan. This trade and technological transfer were earliest on the eastern coast, perhaps unexpected because it was more removed from the Chinese mainland, a likely source for cultural transfers. We propose that eastern coast Taiwanese populations developed an entrepreneurial raiding-trading political economy, perhaps involving slaves, that would explain these anomalies. Predating specialized merchant trading, a raiding-trading complex, not unlike later piracy, may have provided broadscale maritime interactions partially responsible for patterned developments of political complexity in this region of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented Reality (AR) could improve maritime collaboration by facilitating human factors like situation awareness and decision-making. However, it is not clear in which ways AR can be beneficial and for which maritime operations. This paper addresses the need for a systematic literature review of state-of-the-art ways AR can facilitate maritime collaboration. Following the PRISMA statement, we searched for the constructs "AR," "maritime operation," and "collaboration" in the Web of Science and IEEE Xplore databases. Out of 691 search results, we retained 32 publications for analysis. Ten publications from other sources were included. Our results provide a review of AR applications for the maritime operations of ship navigation, personal navigation, maritime construction, maritime maintenance and inspection, and other. We suggest that research focuses on bringing promising AR applications to higher technology readiness levels, learning from other industries, applying robust evaluation methods, and grounding more on human factors like decision-making, situation awareness, and communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient vessel arrivals and departures are crucial for the smooth functioning of port operations and global supply chains. Nonetheless, the emergence of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the end of 2019 has presented unprecedented challenges to the shipping industry worldwide, disrupting vessel schedules and operations due to measures aimed at minimizing in-person interactions and restricting the movement of goods and people. The influence of the COVID-19 on vessel arrivals at ports around the world has been significant and far-reaching, with many ports struggling to maintain their efficiency and effectiveness. This study takes the Hong Kong port (HKP) as an example to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vessel arrivals and port operations. Data from 2019 to 2022 on vessel arrivals and port operations are collected to examine whether, how, and why the pandemic has affected these arrivals and the related port operations. Specifically, we use four general indicators, namely the number of vessel calls, vessel total net tonnage (NT), vessel average gross tonnage (GT), and port total throughput, to comparatively evaluate the COVID-19 impact on vessel arrival. Additionally, we quantitatively assess the effects of COVID-19 on vessel arrival punctuality and vessel turnaround time at the HKP. Our analysis reveals that the COVID-19 and associated restrictions have led to fewer vessel calls across various vessel types, a decrease in overall port throughput, and consequently, reductions in total vessel NT and average GT. Furthermore, the pandemic-related restrictions have exacerbated vessel arrival delays and increased vessel turnaround time during the pandemic, further reducing the efficiency of port operations. To address these challenges, our study also proposes policy recommendations and management guidance for the port to enhance its resilience and efficiency in the post COVID-19 pandemic era. By shedding light on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on vessel arrival and port operations, our study contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the shipping industry and provides insights and recommendations for the future development of port operations in the post COVID-19 era. • Comparative analysis of Hong Kong port vessel arrival patterns and operational performance before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. • Quantitatively evaluate the effects of COVID-19 on vessel arrival punctuality and vessel turnaround time. • Analyze the correlation between vessel arrival delay and turnaround time at the HKP with global container rates. • Explore emerging approaches for efficient port operations in the post-COVID-19 era. • Propose policy suggestions and guidance on port operation and management in the post-COVID-19 era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maritime transport is vulnerable to disruptions which could threaten the resilience performance of maritime businesses. Consequently, the management of disruptions has gained significant attention from academics and the industry. The objective of this study is to review and consolidate academic research on disruption management in maritime shipping. A systematic review is performed on the search engine, Scopus. The review findings highlight (1) major categories of disruptions; (2) impacts of disruptions, which include social and economic impact and operational challenges; and (3) disruption management strategies, which cover technology, policies and regulations, service quality improvement, capacity management, collaboration with stakeholders as well as continuous training and education. The study contributes to the literature by providing a timely consolidation of the increasing focus on disruption management and maritime resilience. The results offer some implications for government authorities, policymakers, and maritime industry players to ensure the shipping industry continues to be resilient and versatile to thrive in this dynamic, fast-paced, and ever-changing environment. Recommendations for future research are also provided. • Consolidate research on maritime resilience • Organize the types of disruptions • Identify common resilience strategies • Highlight future research directions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the role of transportation in forced displacement and genocidal projects throughout history, with a focus on the Holocaust. It highlights the use of railways, vehicles, and maritime infrastructure in the movement of civilian populations during times of conflict. The article also raises questions about accountability for the agencies and individuals involved in conflict transport and explores the potential for further research on the topic. It emphasizes the need for a multi-perspectival and global understanding of conflict transport, beyond the classical geography of the Holocaust. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of South China Fisheries Science is the property of South China Fisheries Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

After the decline of water transportation along the Grand Canal, the integration of urban development and the preservation of cultural heritage along the canal has become imperative. This paper takes the titled landscape as its research perspective and investigates the cultural significance of the canal through its historical, spatial, artistic, and spiritual dimensions, identifying the "Ten Canal Scenes" (TCS) that encapsulate both the canal's heritage and the unique characteristics of Hangzhou, with the aim of establishing notable urban cultural landmarks. Archival analysis, average nearest neighbor (ANN) analysis, nuclear density analysis, and clustering of resource sites are first used to identify cultural landscape features. Evaluation and decision-making techniques are then used to comprehensively assess and categorize the conservation and utilization value for the TCS based on the value evaluation framework. Finally, it proposes strategies for enhancing the comprehensive values of titled landscapes and addressing socio-economic and cultural dimensions. These efforts seek to reconcile the preservation of the canal's cultural heritage with the ongoing regeneration and development of the city and propose references for a localized canal development model based on titled landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shipping industry is an important sector in the global economy. However, this industry also has high occupational safety and health (K3) risks. One of the efforts to minimize this risk is to communicate the HSE (Health, Safety and Environment). This research aims to analyze the importance of the role of HSE and its implementation in shipping. This research adopts a qualitative approach. The data collection technique used is a literature study. The data obtained was then analyzed through three stages, namely data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The research results indicate that communication related to HSE in the shipping sector is crucial to creating a safe, healthy, and environmentally friendly work environment for all ship crew and passengers. Open and continuous HSE communication also plays an important role in building a strong safety culture in the shipping sector. Additionally, the benefits of HSE communications are not only limited to improving safety but also help ensure health in the workplace. This shows that effective HSE communication improves safety and health outcomes and supports overall productivity and well-being in the shipping industry, demonstrating its crucial role in sustaining operational excellence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]