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29 pages, 2057 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Hydrological and Meteorological Conditions in the Southern Baltic Sea for the Purpose of Using LNG as Bunkering Fuel

by Ewelina Orysiak, Jakub Figas, Maciej Prygiel, Maksymilian Ziółek and Bartosz Ryłko

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(13), 7118; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15137118 - 24 Jun 2025

Viewed by 161

Abstract

The southern Baltic Sea is characterized by highly variable weather conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, when storms, strong westerly winds, and temporary sea ice formation disrupt maritime operations. This study presents a climatographic overview and evaluates key hydrometeorological factors that influence the [...] Read more.

The southern Baltic Sea is characterized by highly variable weather conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, when storms, strong westerly winds, and temporary sea ice formation disrupt maritime operations. This study presents a climatographic overview and evaluates key hydrometeorological factors that influence the safe and efficient use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as bunkering fuel in the region. The analysis draws on long-term meteorological and hydrological datasets (1971–2020), including satellite observations and in situ measurements. It identifies operational constraints, such as wind speed, wave height, visibility, and ice cover, and assesses their impact on LNG logistics and terminal functionality. Thresholds for safe operations are evaluated in accordance with IMO and ISO safety standards. An ice severity forecast for 2011–2030 was developed using the ECHAM5 global climate model under the A1B emission scenario, indicating potential seasonal risks to LNG operations. While baseline safety criteria are generally met, environmental variability in the region may still cause temporary disruptions. Findings underscore the need for resilient port infrastructure, including anti-icing systems, heated transfer equipment, and real-time environmental monitoring, to ensure operational continuity. Integrating weather forecasting into LNG logistics supports uninterrupted deliveries and contributes to EU goals for energy diversification and emissions reduction. The study concludes that strategic investments in LNG infrastructure—tailored to regional climatic conditions—can enhance energy security in the southern Baltic, provided environmental risks are systematically accounted for in operational planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications and Advances in Marine Traffic Engineering, Maritime Transportation and Offshore Exploitation)

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21 pages, 4522 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Data-Driven Performance Assessment and Fault Early Warning of Marine Diesel Engine

by Haiyan Wang, Zihan Wang and Biao Shi

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 6299; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15116299 - 4 Jun 2025

Viewed by 391

Abstract

To enable proactive prediction of marine diesel engine failure time and root causes, thereby reserving sufficient time for maintenance, this study proposes a data-driven multi-algorithm integration framework for performance assessment and fault early warning in marine diesel engines. By integrating the SSD (steady-state [...] Read more.

To enable proactive prediction of marine diesel engine failure time and root causes, thereby reserving sufficient time for maintenance, this study proposes a data-driven multi-algorithm integration framework for performance assessment and fault early warning in marine diesel engines. By integrating the SSD (steady-state detection) algorithm, a data-driven CLIQUE clustering algorithm was chosen for automatic multi-parameter high-dimensional running condition partitioning. This innovative approach overcomes the limitations of traditional single-parameter approaches or dimensionality reduction techniques, significantly enhancing state classification accuracy. The improved classification results subsequently increase the reliability of Mahalanobis distance as a performance indicator for marine diesel engine condition assessment. Finally, the cumulative anomaly method combined with the Yamamoto test was employed for anomaly detection analysis, enabling precise identification of fault occurrence time and establishing an effective early-warning mechanism. The study demonstrates that this technique effectively characterizes the overall performance of marine diesel engines and captures their performance degradation features. Implemented on a 6RT-flex82T marine diesel engine dataset, the method achieved precise prediction of fault occurrence time with early warnings, providing approximately 20 days advance notice for maintenance planning. Furthermore, comparative analyses with existing studies revealed its superior capability in pinpointing the anomaly to the jacket cooling water outlet temperature of cylinder #2. These results confirm the method’s effectiveness in both performance assessment and fault early warning for marine diesel engines, offering a novel approach for intelligent maintenance of shipboard equipment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications and Advances in Marine Traffic Engineering, Maritime Transportation and Offshore Exploitation)

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15 pages, 2026 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Multistate Reliability Assessment of Ship Hull Girders

by Joanna Soszyńska-Budny and Špiro Ivošević

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 6218; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15116218 - 31 May 2025

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Abstract

Ships are designed to withstand various types of hull structure damage, including corrosion, fatigue, damage, crack, fouling, etc., throughout their projected life cycle of 25 years. In this study, we used a database of 25 different bulk carriers aged from five to twenty-five [...] Read more.

Ships are designed to withstand various types of hull structure damage, including corrosion, fatigue, damage, crack, fouling, etc., throughout their projected life cycle of 25 years. In this study, we used a database of 25 different bulk carriers aged from five to twenty-five years, consisting of a total of 1920 thickness measurements of girder plate damage across 110 fuel tanks. Thickness measurements of longitudinal girder plate were conducted by certified technicians and approved company. Ultrasound thickness gauging equipment was used to collect data in accordance with the developed methodology and gauging scheme. Based on the classification societies’ rules, the values of the reduction in steel plate thickness due to corrosion over time fall into three categories: acceptable corrosion, substantial corrosion, and extensive corrosion. While classification societies prescribe permissible thickness reductions between 15 and 30%, in this study, the authors considered the excessive corrosion values to be above 20% reduction in initial thickness. Measurements indicating more than 20% reduction were classified as failures, necessitating the replacement of the corroded surfaces. After applying the multistate approach to the reliability analysis of longitudinal girder plates and improving reliability after reaching the critical state, the results show that usability dropped significantly between ten and fifteen years of service for upper girder plating and between twenty and twenty-five years of service for lower girder plates. These findings highlight the crucial impact of gauging location on reliability analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications and Advances in Marine Traffic Engineering, Maritime Transportation and Offshore Exploitation)

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25 pages, 3464 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparative Analysis of the Usability of Consumer Graphics Cards for Deep Learning in the Aspects of Inland Navigational Signs Detection for Vision Systems

by Pawel Adamski and Jacek Lubczonek

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 5142; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15095142 - 6 May 2025

Viewed by 608

Abstract

Consumer-grade graphics processing units (GPUs) offer a potentially affordable and energy-efficient alternative to enterprise-class hardware for real-time image processing tasks, but systematic multi-criteria analyses of their suitability remain rare. This article fills that gap by evaluating the performance, power consumption, and cost-effectiveness of [...] Read more.

Consumer-grade graphics processing units (GPUs) offer a potentially affordable and energy-efficient alternative to enterprise-class hardware for real-time image processing tasks, but systematic multi-criteria analyses of their suitability remain rare. This article fills that gap by evaluating the performance, power consumption, and cost-effectiveness of GPUs from three leading vendors, AMD, Intel, and Nvidia, in an inland water transport (ITW) context. The main objective is to assess the feasibility of using consumer GPUs for deep learning tasks involving navigational sign detection, a critical component for ensuring safe and efficient inland transportation. The evaluation includes the use of image datasets of inland water transport signs processed by widely used detector and classifier models such as YOLO (you only look once), ResNet (residual neural network l), and MobileNet. To achieve this, we propose a multi-criteria framework based on a weighted scoring method (WSM), covering 21 different characteristics such as compatibility, resting power, energy efficiency in learning and inference, and the financial threshold for technology adoption. The results confirm that consumer-grade GPUs can deliver competitive performance with lower initial costs and lower power consumption. The findings underscore the enduring value of our analysis, as its framework can be adapted for ongoing comparisons of evolving GPU technologies using the proposed methodology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications and Advances in Marine Traffic Engineering, Maritime Transportation and Offshore Exploitation)

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31 pages, 14176 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Methodology for Conceptual Navigational 3D Chart Assessment Based on Eye Tracking Measures

by Jacek Lubczonek, Patryk Biernacik, Izabela Bodus-Olkowska, Anna Borawska and Adrianna Mateja

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 4967; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094967 - 30 Apr 2025

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a comprehensive methodology for assessing the effectiveness of conceptual navigation maps. To achieve this, a set of indicators was developed to simplify and standardise the evaluation process. A key challenge in analysing the effectiveness of [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to develop a comprehensive methodology for assessing the effectiveness of conceptual navigation maps. To achieve this, a set of indicators was developed to simplify and standardise the evaluation process. A key challenge in analysing the effectiveness of maps is the variety of ways to assess their effectiveness (eye-tracking measures, visual interpretation, questionnaires), which often leads to ambiguous interpretations. In the initial phase, three separate indicators were established: readability of the map, correctness of map symbol identification, and the time required to identify these objects. For the readability indicator, a correlation analysis with eye-tracking measurements and a heatmap decomposition was carried out, which partly reduced the complexity of the data. This led to the development of a single universal indicator, representing the overall effectiveness of the map in numerical form and allowing a simple comparison of maps. Based on the methodology developed, we were able to conclude that the designed 3D concept maps are more effective than their 2D counterparts. The methodology and universal indicator presented in this study can be applied in practice to evaluate entire series of concept maps and provide designers—including those outside academia—with indicator-based tools to evaluate the effectiveness of maps. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications and Advances in Marine Traffic Engineering, Maritime Transportation and Offshore Exploitation)

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25 pages, 13263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Digital Twin of the Harbour Waters and Surrounding Infrastructure Based on Spatial Data Acquired with Multimodal and Multi-Sensor Mapping Systems

by Arkadiusz Tomczak, Grzegorz Stępień, Tomasz Kogut, Łukasz Jedynak, Grzegorz Zaniewicz, Małgorzata Łącka and Izabela Bodus-Olkowska

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(1), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15010315 - 31 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1084

Abstract

Digital twin is an attractive technology for the representation of objects due to its ability to produce precise measurements and their geovisualisation. Of special interest is the application and fusion of various remote sensing techniques for shallow river and inland water areas, commonly [...] Read more.

Digital twin is an attractive technology for the representation of objects due to its ability to produce precise measurements and their geovisualisation. Of special interest is the application and fusion of various remote sensing techniques for shallow river and inland water areas, commonly measured using conventional surveying or multimodal photogrammetry. The construction of spatial digital twins of river areas requires the use of multi-platform and multi-sensor measurements to obtain reliable data of the river environment. Due to the high dynamics of river changes, the cost of measurements and the difficult-to-access measurement area, the mapping should be large-scale and simultaneous. To address these challenges, the authors performed an experiment using three measurement platforms (boat, plane, UAV) and multiple sensors to acquire both cloud and image spatial data, which were integrated temporally and spatially. The integration methods improved the accuracy of the resulting digital model by approximately 20 percent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications and Advances in Marine Traffic Engineering, Maritime Transportation and Offshore Exploitation)

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24 pages, 13215 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Safety of Navigation: Redesigning Precautionary Areas into Roundabouts in Marine Traffic Separation Schemes

by Joe Ronald Kurniawan Bokau, Gokhan Camliyurt, Antoni Arif Priadi, Youngsoo Park and Daewon Kim

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(24), 11588; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142411588 - 11 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1151

Abstract

Roundabouts are widely used in road transport to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion by enabling continuous movement in a circular pattern, minimizing stops, enhancing safety, and reducing delays compared to that of signaled intersections. However, roundabouts are rarely used in marine traffic. [...] Read more.

Roundabouts are widely used in road transport to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion by enabling continuous movement in a circular pattern, minimizing stops, enhancing safety, and reducing delays compared to that of signaled intersections. However, roundabouts are rarely used in marine traffic. This study investigates the feasibility of redesigning existing rectangular precautionary areas within traffic separation schemes (TSSs) into circular roundabouts using marine traffic data incorporating both the number of ships passing and crossing, as well as microscopic movement data to further analyze the follow-up times and gaps based on ship domains. This study further assesses the overall performance of the proposed design, drawing on notable formulas and best practices in road transport. The Lombok Strait TSS, in Indonesia, is used as the study area, which is a particularly sensitive sea area and one of the critical “chokepoints” in the maritime supply chain. The results indicate that replacing rectangular areas with circular roundabouts in a TSS can significantly improve traffic management and navigation safety. This study offers a practical approach for redesigning rectangular precautionary areas into circular roundabouts and provides valuable insights for maritime authorities and policymakers aiming to develop more efficient TSS designs in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications and Advances in Marine Traffic Engineering, Maritime Transportation and Offshore Exploitation)

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Review

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46 pages, 2812 KiB

Open AccessReview

Leveraging Large Language Models for Enhancing Safety in Maritime Operations

by Tymoteusz Miller, Irmina Durlik, Ewelina Kostecka, Adrianna Łobodzińska, Kinga Łazuga and Polina Kozlovska

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 1666; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031666 - 6 Feb 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3463

Abstract

Maritime operations play a critical role in global trade but face persistent safety challenges due to human error, environmental factors, and operational complexities. This review explores the transformative potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) in enhancing maritime safety through improved communication, decision-making, and [...] Read more.

Maritime operations play a critical role in global trade but face persistent safety challenges due to human error, environmental factors, and operational complexities. This review explores the transformative potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) in enhancing maritime safety through improved communication, decision-making, and compliance. Specific applications include multilingual communication for international crews, automated reporting, interactive training, and real-time risk assessment. While LLMs offer innovative solutions, challenges such as data privacy, integration, and ethical considerations must be addressed. This review concludes with actionable recommendations and insights for leveraging LLMs to build safer and more resilient maritime systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications and Advances in Marine Traffic Engineering, Maritime Transportation and Offshore Exploitation)

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