Search Results (20)

Ship operability diagrams are commonly defined based on the seakeeping analysis, showing which course and speed can safely be taken at the sea state to satisfy pre-defined seakeeping limiting values. Although ship operability diagrams are inherently probabilistic, because of the random nature of the environmental loads, their outcome is deterministic, showing if the seakeeping criteria are satisfied or not for a certain combination of environmental and operational parameters. In the present study, uncertainties in seakeeping predictions and limiting values, which are usually neglected, are integrated into the ship operability analysis. This results in probabilistic operability diagrams, where the seakeeping criteria are exceeded with certain probabilities. The approach is demonstrated in the example of the passenger ship on a route in the Adriatic Sea. Semi-analytical closed-form expressions are used for seakeeping analysis, while limiting values for vertical bow acceleration, pitch, slamming, roll, and propeller emergence are analyzed. The second-order reliability method is used to calculate probabilities of the exceedance of the seakeeping criteria, and the results are presented as probabilistic operability diagrams. The method enables the determination of a new probabilistic operability index applicable to the ship design and represents a prerequisite for risk-based decision making in ship operation. It is also presented how the method can be validated for the existing shipping route using numerical wave databases. Full article

In this paper, the authors present the possibilities of transnational networking and developing innovative cultural routes through participatory research and creative presentations of European cultural heritage in special collections of Adriatic libraries. The purpose of the research, conducted in the framework of the course Travel Writing and Cultural Routes, was to identify collections that contain travel writing material related to the broader Euro-Mediterranean area and to enable its better visibility through the digitization and creation of new European cultural routes. The students, with the help of librarians at the University Library in Pula, explored special collections, such as the Marine Library, and proposed the creation of new cultural routes, following the itineraries of European travel writers in the Adriatic. The conducted research indicated collections and materials in heritage institutions (archives, libraries and museums) in Pula and Istria relevant to the topics of cultural routes and travel in Europe, as well as regional multicultural history. Libraries in Istria and Dalmatia have valuable collections of rare archival material related to European travels to the Adriatic. The cataloguing and digitisation of rare travel texts has the potential to raise awareness of these collections, adding to their significance for academic research and heritage-based tourism. Full article

In order to meet current and future efforts to reduce fuel consumption and gas emissions, an increasing number of ships are being retrofitted with one of the wind-assisted propulsion solutions. In this paper, the effects of retrofitted wind-assisted propulsion on the efficiency of the propeller are investigated. The installed ship propeller is usually designed to operate under specific conditions; once the thrust force from the sails is added, the operating point of the propeller changes. Taking into consideration the reduced efficiency of the propeller, which is no longer operating in its optimal regime, the actual wind-assisted propulsion contribution can be calculated. The wind-assisted contribution is calculated with a velocity prediction program as a reduction in conventional propulsion power output by maintaining the vessel’s designed speed. From the calculated variations in sail thrust force, dependent on the wind speed, the propeller efficiency is analyzed for different operating states. The propulsion efficiency of the propeller was analyzed with a performance characteristics calculation tool that has been developed and presented in this paper. From the meteorological data obtained from Copernicus Marine Services and available ship documentation, a case study was conducted for a selected route. Full article

Biofouling attaches to immersed surfaces in between hull cleanings. Due to high speeds and relatively short port times, biofilm often attaches to the immersed surfaces of containerships. In most cases, this type of fouling is not given much importance since it is assumed that it will not cause any fouling penalties. In this paper, the fouling penalties related to fouling with biofilm on the example of the Post Panamax and Post Panamax Plus containership fleets sailing in the Adriatic Sea are assessed. In addition, the investigation is performed for real environmental conditions that a containership can encounter on a sailing route passing through the Adriatic Sea. Thus, the impact of waves and wind is taken into account based on mean values of significant wave height and wind speed for containerships sailing at the design speed along the analyzed route. The procedure for the determination of the detrimental effects of biofilm on the increase in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions is given. Further, the proposed procedure includes the determination of calm water resistance by the Holtrop and Mennen method, the added resistance in waves by Liu and Papanikolaou’s method, spectral analysis using the Tabain’s spectrum for the Adriatic Sea, the wind resistance by the Blendermann method, and added resistance due to biofouling using the Granville method. Thereafter, a time-dependent biofouling growth model proposed by Uzun et al. is incorporated, and the adequate timing for underwater hull cleaning is determined for several hull cleaning costs. The obtained results demonstrate that, from an environmental point of view, proactive hull cleaning should be applied, while, from an economic perspective, optimal timing for underwater hull cleaning is recommended. Full article

This paper tests a combination of methods that allows for the optimization of a mobility network through the multimodal interchange between fast and slow routes. These routes contribute to mending the relationship between the existing infrastructural networks and the places of interest in the landscape while respecting morphological adaptability. The case study that generated the research question explained above is the Costa dei Trabucchi in Abruzzo, Italy. The choice of a single paradigmatic case study to evaluate the method is based on the need to analyse an edge context with very scarce data, except for the coast. The advantage of this method is the efficiency based on three main conditions: overcoming limitations due to data scarcity, the use of open-source data and the multiscalarity of analyses. The result of this research work is the creation of a useful strategy to identify the most suitable routes in terms of spatial quality and walkability/cyclability. The case study is formed by the territories crossed by a railway line that has recently been decommissioned. The displacement of a railway line creates opportunities to improve the quality and use of the territory locally, with a natural evolution of the track in a greenway, and at the territorial level because it generates a network of better multimodal and sustainable mobility solutions inside and between the surrounding areas. Full article

The analysis of cruising trends in the Mediterranean regions shows that the Adriatic is the fastest growing cruise region in terms of the number of passenger movements and cruise ships’ port calls among all regions, particularly the central and south part of the east Adriatic coast. The aim of the paper is to analyze leading cruise destination trends in the central and south part of the Adriatic east coast, as well as to identify newly established cruise ships routes, define high-risk navigational and environmental areas and determine cruise traffic density in the vicinity of marine protected areas. The analyses of leading cruise destinations trends are based on four-year (from 2015 to 2019) cruise passenger movement and cruise calls data, whereas analyses of cruise traffic movement are based on one-year cruise ships traffic monitoring (from August 2014 to July 2015). The results of the cruise ship traffic analysis show that cruise ships frequently pass through areas of high navigational and environmental risks that are geographically restricted, navigationally challenging and environmentally sensitive. These routes have become standard navigational practice in newly discovered cruising regions. The obtained results offer a general overview of high-risk cruise ships’ navigational practices in coastal navigation that can be associated with any coastal region in the world. Full article

Carbon emissions generated by the transportation sector represent a large part of total greenhouse gas emissions and are thus subject to various policies and initiatives for emission reduction and the development of sustainable transportation networks. Furthermore, passenger transportation generates a significant amount of emissions within this sector, especially in those countries with large and developed tourist sectors. Examples of such countries are Italy and Croatia, located in the Adriatic region, with a large portion of passengers between them being transported utilizing mainly maritime and/or road transportation modes. A proper analysis of the impact of these transportation mode choices on carbon emissions is essential to enable the selection of the optimal transportation mode for the particular transportation route with respect to the generated emissions. Therefore, this study determines the carbon emissions of the maritime and/or road transportation modes on the existing cross-border passenger transportation routes between Italy and Croatia. For the analysis, the Adriatic region was divided into three sections—the Northern, Middle, and Southern regions—each characterized by specific transportation routes defined by geographical features and distances. The results obtained from this research are presented as total carbon emissions for each transportation mode separately, based on each of three chosen routes in different regions. In addition, a carbon emission comparison between each transportation mode in regard to occupancy rate is performed and presented separately for each chosen route based on its specific distances, transportation means, and features. Finally, by providing an analysis of the existing state, this study can serve as a basis for Italy–Croatia cross-border passenger mobility network modernization and the introduction of new, sustainable, and multimodal transportation routes. Full article

From a scientific viewpoint, as well as from the perspective of navigation practice, it is clear that the Adriatic Sea feeder service is relatively underdeveloped. Hence, the objective of this study is to suggest a model for selecting the hub port and to optimize the network of seaports engaged in the feeder service. Accordingly, an appropriate hub port has been identified through the methods of multi-criteria decision making and expert assessment, and the optimum shipping route has been calculated by applying the travelling salesman algorithm (TSA). In order to analyze whether there is a possibility of obtaining better optimization results, an integration of a sub-hub port system is suggested. Optimization has been achieved by applying a minimum spanning tree algorithm (MST) and a combination of these algorithms. The proposed methodology for selecting the hub port, sub-hub port and optimizing the feeder network can be implemented globally. The practical application of the achieved model would result in cost minimization, owing to shorter shipping routes or a combination of different transportation means (feeders). Full article

The technology of cold ironing (or shore-to-ship power) can meaningfully reduce greenhouse gases and air pollutant emissions from ships at the berth by powering the vessels from the electrical shore grid. While cold ironing constitutes an effective and affordable solution in northern Europe and America, economic, legal, and environmental factors still render this technology less attractive in southern Europe. This paper aims to unpack and analyze the economic, regulatory, and environmental factors that can foster cold ironing as a standard installation in the Mediterranean Sea. Based on a model design for the port of Trieste (Italy) as applied to a cluster of target ports in the Adriatic Sea (in Italy, Croatia, and Greece), this article evaluates the cold ironing payback period by comparing costs of shore side-plants with environmental externalities and O&M costs. Moreover, the paper addresses key regulatory bottlenecks arising in different European jurisdictions with regard to the setting-up and development of cold ironing, while appraising the legal and economic consequences of deploying cold ironing in light of the future inclusion of the maritime sector in the EU Emission Trading System. Full article

The method for the prediction of extreme vertical wave bending moments on a passenger ship based on the hindcast database along the shipping route is presented. Operability analysis is performed to identify sea states when the ship is not able to normally operate and which are likely to be avoided. Closed-form expressions are used for the calculation of transfer functions of ship motions and loads. Multiple operability criteria are used and compared to the corresponding limiting values. The most probable extreme wave bending moments for the short-term sea states at discrete locations along the shipping route are calculated, and annual maximum extreme values are determined. Gumbel probability distribution is then fitted to the annual extreme values, and wave bending moments corresponding to a return period of 20 years are determined for discrete locations. The system reliability approach is used to calculate combined extreme vertical wave bending moment along the shipping route. The method is employed on the example of a passenger ship sailing across the Adriatic Sea (Split, Croatia, to Ancona, Italy). The contribution of the study is the method for the extreme values of wave loads using the hindcast wave database and accounting for ship operational restrictions. Full article

Volcanic obsidian was widely used in ancient times for stone tools, with its highly glassy nature making it sharper than other lithics for cutting purposes. In Europe and the Mediterranean, there are just several island sources, and a few in one inland region, all having been used since the beginning of the Neolithic period, ca. 6000 BCE. Maritime transport was necessary for access to the Italian and Greek island sources, with the distribution of artifacts over distances up to 1000 km. While elemental analyses were used for identifying specific sources starting in the 1960s, the development of non-destructive and especially portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometers has revolutionized the number of artifacts tested since 2010, allowing statistically significant numbers for potential comparisons based on variables including time period, open-water distance, visual and physical properties, and cultural contexts. One overall accomplishment is the documentation of long-distance travel routes in the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas of the central Mediterranean, based on the distribution proportions and quantity of obsidian artifacts from different geological sources, apparently following a down-the-line prehistoric exchange system. The spread of Palmarola obsidian is much greater than previously thought, while in Malta, Pantelleria obsidian was specifically selected for burial accompaniments on Gozo. Full article

Seaport Rijeka is located and connected to the strategic EU TEN-T transport routes (Mediterranean and Baltic–Adriatic Corridor). Seaport Rijeka represents the shortest connection between Central and Central-Eastern Europe, and overseas destinations, by land and sea, and is in an excellent position to take advantage of its location. Being the largest and busiest seaport in Croatia, with constant increase in cargo traffic, especially container traffic, with inadequate and incomplete transport infrastructure that creates congestion, Seaport Rijeka will soon reach its capacity limits. One of the possible solutions that would satisfy the increasing demand and mitigate existing problems is establishing a dry port. Establishing a dry port serving Seaport Rijeka on the EU transport routes would greatly contribute to the strategic and operational plans of the EU and Croatia. The focus of this paper is to determine the optimal dry port location for Seaport Rijeka. The AHP methodology was used to determine the optimal dry port location of the Seaport Rijeka, by analyzing a large set of influential factors. The analysis was performed for three groups of possible dry port locations (close, medium distance and distant). Results suggest that optimal dry port locations for Seaport Rijeka are in Miklavlje, Velika Gorica and Vinkovci. Full article

Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected at three locations in Boka Kotorska Bay, on the Montenegrin Adriatic coast, were analyzed for the first time by optical and Raman microscopy to detect microplastics (MPs) and other emerging contaminants in their soft tissues. Concentrations of six trace metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cd, and Hg) were also measured in the same samples by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Mussels from a location near the urban area of Kotor were found to exhibit the highest content of MPs and other pollutants originating from anthropogenic sources, while farmed mussels showed higher carotenoid as well as nylon content. The hypothesis of MPs acting as a possible secondary route of trace metals ingress in mussels, a thus far scarcely studied topic, was evaluated based on a comparative analysis of the obtained results. In this context, it was noticed that nylon filaments originating from mussel farming equipment might contribute to higher trace metal content. The results showed that the simultaneous analysis of different contaminants in mussels can be a significant step forward in marine environment pollution monitoring and the assessment of human health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated seafood. Full article

Traveling through a transport network, or ordering and delivering packets, involves fundamental decision-making processes which can be approached by game theory: Rather than simply choosing a route, individuals need to evaluate routes in the presence of the congestion resulting from the decisions made by themselves and everyone else. In this paper, a game theory model for resolving route choices in transport network graphs is used. In the process of doing this, discovering a rather unexpected result known as Braess’s paradox, which shows that adding capacity to a network can sometimes actually cause congestion and an increase in transport costs. The decisions are made by non-cooperative players in a game theory environment known as prisoner’s dilemma. These methods are used to analyze routing problems by competing logistics operators on the transport network consisting of three Eastern Adriatic ports and an intermodal terminal in Budapest. The congestion game can be used in route selection regarding a decrease in transport costs for the carriers who are considered as rational players choosing the most sustainable solution. Full article

Passenger seaports are new starting-points of urban development. They form a new independent industry, become new incentives for improving urban infrastructure and increase the tourist attractiveness of the city itself and the region. In view of changes in passenger service processes, changes in route ferry and cruise networks, due to COVID-19, the heads of ports and terminals set new strategic tasks to determine the directions for infrastructure modernization and forecast development. The regions of the Adriatic and Baltic Seas were chosen as the experimental base. To find new answers, it is necessary to solve the problem of synthesizing the structure of a sea passenger port, taking into account all processes and services, the influence of the external environment, building a system of target functions and limiting conditions. Thus, the necessity of forming informed decisions on modernization based on the construction of new mathematical models is substantiated. A new function has been introduced that describes the influence of the external environment. Particular attention is given to the study of the mutual influence of the city and the sea passenger port in order to determine the need to improve transport accessibility and change the near-port transport space. The presented models of structure synthesis and target functions, models including functions of the influence of the external environment on the system “city infrastructure-sea passenger port-ferry company” allow at a qualitatively new level to solve the problem of forecasting development and form a system making decisions to improve the position of the passenger terminal in the sea region. The developed models and synthesis problem formation are applicable to sea passenger ports and terminals in other regions of the seas. The models are applicable both at the stage of creating a new marine terminal and during the study and subsequent modernization of the infrastructure. The presented new models allow the port manager to give answers to the questions of strategic development of sea passenger ports in sea regions. Full article