Search Results (165)

Urban air pollution remains a significant environmental and public health issue, especially in European coastal cities such as Klaipėda. However, there is still a lack of local-scale knowledge on how land use structure influences pollutant distribution, highlighting the need to address this gap. This study addresses this by examining the spatial distribution of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations in Klaipėda’s seaport city and several inland and coastal resort towns in Lithuania. The research specifically asks how different land cover types and demographic factors affect NO₂ variability and population exposure risk. Data were collected using passive sampling methods and analyzed within a GIS environment. The results revealed clear air quality differences between industrial/port zones and greener resort areas, confirmed by statistically significant associations between land cover types and pollutant levels. Based on these findings, a Land Use Pollution Pressure index (LUPP) and its population-weighted variant (PLUPP) were developed to capture demographic sensitivity. These indices provide a practical decision-support tool for sustainable urban planning, enabling the assessment of pollution risks and the forecasting of air quality changes under different land use scenarios, while contributing to local climate adaptation and urban environmental governance. Full article

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by or around 2050. The ship energy efficiency framework has played a positive role over the past decade in improving carbon intensity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by employing the technical and operational energy efficiency metrics as effective appraisal tools. To quantify the ship energy efficiency performance and review the existing energy efficiency framework, this paper analyzed the data for the reporting year of 2023 extracted from the European Union (EU) monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system, and investigated the operational profiles and energy efficiency for the ships calling at EU ports. The results show that the data accumulated in the EU MRV system could provide powerful support for conducting ship energy efficiency appraisals, which could facilitate the formulation of decarbonization policies for global shipping and management decisions for stakeholders. However, data quality, ship operational energy efficiency metrics, and co-existence with the IMO data collection system (DCS) remain issues to be addressed. With the improvement of IMO DCS system and the implementation of IMO Net-Zero Framework, harmonizing the two systems and avoiding duplicated regulation of shipping emissions at the EU and global levels are urgent. Full article

This study investigates how Chinese ownership in European ports affects trade flows between China and Eurozone countries, set against the backdrop of recent global economic disruptions that have emphasized the crucial role of maritime trade and port efficiency. An augmented gravity model was employed, using the Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood (PPML), fixed effects (FE), and random effects (RE) estimators, to analyze trade data from 2001 to 2023. The analysis shows that, while conventional economic factors like GDP per capita and the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) consistently and significantly drive trade, Chinese port ownership surprisingly exhibits a negative or statistically insignificant impact on both Chinese exports to the EU and EU imports from China. This suggests that these acquisitions may not primarily boost overall bilateral trade but rather consolidate existing routes or serve broader strategic objectives, as evidenced by heterogeneous country-specific effects and phenomena like the “Rotterdam effect”. Ultimately, my findings underscore the paramount importance of logistical efficiency over ownership structure in facilitating trade. Full article

The present study addresses the topic of European companies, including Latvian companies, sustainably entering African markets. The actuality of this topic relates to the recession and the decrease in demand in the classical export markets (such as Scandinavia and Western Europe) with which Latvian firms used to trade; this is why the re-orientation of companies to African countries was carried out. Academic research worldwide has conducted many investigations on the specifics of exporting to Africa. The lack of knowledge relating to local African business practices is considered one of the significant barriers. The aim of this study was to mitigate this barrier by exploring real-world situations in African economic sectors. Interviews with relevant African experts were conducted for this purpose. The results showed that East European entrepreneurs, including Latvian entrepreneurs, should first focus on West African French-speaking countries with big seaports (e.g., Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, and Cameroon), where Latvian knowledge, professional skills, and products relating to port and transportation infrastructures are in significant demand. A case study was conducted in Cameroon as an example of a good business match with Latvian service providers. The case study also highlighted the nature of Cameroon’s sociocultural dynamics, which are distinguished by the presence of several sociocultural zones, each with its own specific characteristics that need to be taken into account. Full article

Ports represent the point of intersection between sea and land, as well as a crucial node for the integration of maritime and land transport in the global logistics chain. Consequently, it is crucial to consider an articulated system that includes dry ports, freight interchange and intermodal logistics platforms, since the relationships between the port and the city, as well as those between the different decision-makers involved, are multiple and complex. Maritime transport and port operations have a direct and indirect impact on the surrounding contexts, with significant effects, particularly from an environmental point of view. Therefore, the green transition in logistics, port, and maritime systems is essential for reducing these impacts. In this context, the aspects related to operational practices and terminal design are of great importance. This paper aims to explore sustainable strategies for ports and maritime logistics in order to provide a methodological approach to green transition. The proposed methodology was divided into phases. First, an analysis of international and European legislation was conducted in order to identify the main critical issues. Subsequently, a review of the existing literature and best practices was carried out to identify tested solutions. The third phase included a Stakeholder Engagement Process, centred on the use of a thematic focus group to foster a collaborative approach to the definition of priorities and operational strategies. Part of the proposed methodology was implemented as part of the DEMASTER—Design of Maritime Sustainable Terminals—project, and it can allow for the evaluation of the different options and the identification of more effective and innovative solutions for the green transition. Full article

Dredging is essential for the maintenance of ports, waterways, lakes, and lagoons to ensure their operability and economic value. Over the last few decades, scientists have focused on the significant environmental challenges associated with dredging, including habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, sediment suspension, and contamination with heavy metals and organic pollutants. The huge loss of sediment in coastal areas and the associated erosion processes are now forcing stakeholders to look ahead and turn potential problems into an opportunity to develop new sediment management strategies, beyond environmental protection, toward ecosystem restoration and coastal resilience. Moreover, the European and Italian strategies, such as the European Green Deal (EGD) and the Italian Ecological Transition Plan (PTE), highlight the need to reuse dredge sediment in circular economy strategies, transforming them into valuable resources for construction, agriculture, and environmental restoration projects. European legislation on dredging is fundamental to the issue of management and priorities of dredged materials, but the implementation rules are deferred to individual member states. In Italy, the Ministerial Decree 173/2016 covers the main aspects of dredge activities and dredge sediment management. Moreover, it encourages the remediation and reuse of the dredge sediment. This study starts with a comprehensive analysis of the innovative remediation techniques that minimize impacts and promote sustainable, beneficial sediment management. Different remediation methods, such as electrochemical treatments, chemical stabilization, emerging nanotechnologies, bioremediation, and phytoremediation, will be evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing pollution. Finally, we highlight new perspectives, integrated strategies, and multidisciplinary approaches that combine various technological innovations, including artificial intelligence, to enhance sediment reuse with the aim of promoting economic growth and environmental protection. Full article

As global sustainability goals gain momentum, seaports are playing a pivotal role in driving environmentally and socially responsible practices. In light of the International Maritime Organization’s emission reduction targets, transparent and effective Environmental and Social (E&S) reporting has become increasingly vital. This study critically examines current E&S reporting practices in the port industry through an analysis of recent disclosures from major European and global ports, supported by a review of academic and industry literature. The research explores how sustainability reports address key themes such as CO₂ emissions, energy efficiency, health and safety, operational performance, and biodiversity. While the presence of numerous indicators reflects a commitment to comprehensive sustainability, the proliferation of metrics poses challenges for clarity, comparability, and stakeholder engagement. The abundance of data risks diluting focus, complicating benchmarking, and may even contribute to greenwashing. Without standardization and strategic alignment, reporting can become counterproductive. This study advocates for a harmonized set of performance indicators that remain flexible enough to reflect port-specific strategies, yet are consistent with global benchmarks. Achieving this balance will require collaboration among researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to develop transparent, adaptive E&S reporting frameworks that support meaningful progress in ports’ sustainability. Full article

Ports function as logistical hubs through which approximately 80% of the world’s goods are transported annually. Recent regulatory frameworks from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union require ships and ports to adopt measures aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of port activities and mitigate climate change. These measures include investing in renewable energy generation systems to transition from fossil fuel-based energy to renewable electricity. Consequently, to meet increasing energy demands, new energy infrastructure must be developed. However, due to spatial constraints in port environments, there is a growing interest in utilizing port service areas, inner docks, and exterior/adjacent water zones for the deployment of marine renewable energy generation systems. This study applies high-resolution meteorological and oceanographic modelling—incorporating validated wave agitation models—to assess the feasibility of integrating marine renewable energy generation within port service areas. Full article

In order to realize green and low-carbon transformation, some ports have explored the path of sustainable equipment upgrading by adjusting the energy structure of yard cranes in recent years. However, there are multiple uncertainties in the investment process of hydrogen-powered yard cranes, and the existing valuation methods fail to effectively deal with these dynamic changes and lack scientifically sound decision support tools. To address this problem, this study constructs a multi-factor real options model that integrates the dynamic uncertainties of hydrogen price, carbon price, and technology maturity. In this study, a geometric Brownian motion is used for hydrogen price simulation, a Markov chain model with jump diffusion term and stochastic volatility is used for carbon price simulation, and a learning curve method is used to quantify the evolution of technology maturity. Aiming at the long investment cycle of ports, a hybrid option strategy of “American and European” is designed, and the timing and scale of investment are dynamically optimized by Monte Carlo simulation and least squares regression. Based on the empirical analysis of Qingdao Port, the results show that the optimal investment plan for hydrogen-powered yard cranes project under the framework of a multi-factor option model is to use an American-type option to maintain moderate flexibility in the early stage, and to use a European-type option to lock in the return in the later stage. The study provides decision support for the green development of ports and enhances economic returns and carbon emission reduction benefits. Full article

This study examines the impact of monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system indicators on the costs associated with the emissions trading system (ETS) of the maritime sector in the European Union. Since maritime transport has recently been incorporated into the ETS, it becomes essential to understand how different operational and environmental factors affect the economic burden of shipping companies and port competitiveness. To this end, a model based on Bayesian networks is used to analyse the interdependencies between key variables, facilitating the identification of the most influential factors in the determination of the costs of the ETS. The results show that fuel efficiency and CO₂ emissions in port are decisive in the configuration of costs. In particular, it was identified that emissions during the stay in port have a greater weight than expected, which suggests that strategies such as the use of electrical connections in port (cold ironing) may be key to mitigating costs. Likewise, navigation patterns and traffic regionalisation show a strong correlation with ETS exposure, which could lead to adjustments in maritime routes. This probabilistic model offers a valuable tool for strategic decision-making in the maritime sector, benefiting shipping companies, port operators, and policymakers. However, future research could integrate new technologies and regulatory scenarios to improve the accuracy of the analysis and anticipate changes in the ETS cost structure. Full article

Maritime transportation significantly contributes to air pollution, especially in coastal cities. Air pollution represents the greatest health risk related to the environment in the European Union. Therefore, the European Commission published the European Green Deal, which introduces the rule of zero-emission requirements for ships at berths with the mandatory use of power supply from shore or alternative technologies without emissions. The electrification of ferries has proven to be a key approach in reducing the negative impact on the environment; hence, it is necessary to provide adequate infrastructure for charging electric ferries. To determine the energy needs of the shore connection, a daily energy profile of the ferry fleet was created. Due to the sailing schedule, daily energy needs may be non-periodic. By optimizing the charging process, a reduction in peak charging power can be achieved. The charging process was optimized using particle swarm optimization. To improve the function goal, the parameters of the model were analyzed and optimized. It was found that the correct selection of population size and inertia weight factor can significantly enhance the optimization effect. The proposed model can be applied to other ports of interest, considering the specifics of the exploitation of the fleet of ships. Full article

In spite of its strong increase and relevant position in the evolution of international maritime routes, the global livestock trade is still a poorly treated topic in the maritime business domain of research. Aiming to cover this gap, the authors are focused on revealing the livestock logistics technology in intermodal transports, approaching both equipment reliability and operation flow design, applying the business processes modeling method to map the most relevant stages in animals’ port operation, transfer, and maritime transportation. This paper examines the intricate logistics of maritime livestock transportation through a case study on the Port of Midia, administrated by the Constanța Maritime Port Administration, one of Romania’s primary export hubs for livestock operations, using BPM software, seeking to identify the most important deficiencies and alternatives in improving the technical and technological effectiveness. Key findings indicate that improving ramp availability, automating document verification, and implementing RFID-based animal tracking systems could significantly enhance operational efficiency. By integrating workflow models, real-time monitoring, and simulation-based optimization, the study offers a comprehensive framework for streamlining multimodal livestock transportation. The implications extend to policymakers, port authorities, and logistics operators, emphasizing the necessity of digital transformation, regulatory harmonization, and technological integration in livestock maritime transportation. This research contributes to the expansion of intermodal transportation studies, providing practical recommendations for enhancing livestock logistics efficiency while ensuring compliance with European animal welfare regulations. The findings pave the way for further research into AI-driven risk assessments, smart logistics solutions, and sustainable livestock transportation alternatives. Full article

The European Directive in force on port reception facilities for waste from ships applicable to both ports and ships has the aim of protecting the marine environment. To promote this goal, the directive imposes on every member state the availability of port reception facilities adequate in meeting the needs of the ships normally using the ports without causing undue delay in their operations. As an effective tool to discourage the discharges of waste at sea, the new policy requires ports to implement a cost recovery system for the waste reception service through mandatory fees to be paid by ships irrespective of the volume of waste delivered at port. In the context of the obligations that European ports must fulfill according to the new policy on waste from ships, the present study analyzes the Spanish ports’ database. The research relates traffic characterization with the economic results of the waste reception service in each port authority to ensure that the effective reception costs are covered. The findings will enable building a robust port fee system adapted to the ship typology with the aim of mitigating economic imbalances and ensuring that ships contribute to the port reception facilities’ costs according to their characteristics. Full article

Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) systems are complex systems facilitating decision-making processes and integrating technical infrastructure, aiming to ensure the safety of ship traffic and marine environment protection in indicated water areas. Such services are offered in Poland in selected regions. These systems operate based on guidelines established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and European Parliament; therefore, they should be constantly developed and adjusted to current regulations. The aim of this article is to review and assess the adjustment of VTS systems operating in Poland to current selected regulations introduced by the IMO and European Parliament. A comparative analysis and evaluation of three VTS systems operated in Poland was carried out. In addition, the impact of VTS systems on the development of the trans-European transport network was examined. It was stated that the investigated VTS systems’ current adjustment to analyzed regulations is different depending on the systems’ configuration and possessed infrastructure, parameters of fairways, traffic regulations and other criteria. Based on the achieved research results, recommendations to improve the VTS systems in Poland were proposed. The research outcomes may be interesting for the managers of maritime administrations, ports’ authorities, and other decision-makers responsible for safe navigation and traffic management. Full article

Peru constituted the most important Viceroyalty of the Spanish Empire in South America, with the Port of Callao controlling the South Pacific trade routes. Although it was safe in its infancy, Callao suffered coastal attacks leading to its fortification. However, on 28 October 1746, an earthquake and tidal wave devastated the port, leading to its relocation and the construction of the Real Felipe Fortress of Callao, the South Pacific’s most significant fortification. The fortress was based on 18th century military conceptions adapted to the specific conditions of the coastal lands of the Peruvian Viceroyalty, such as the lack of stone, the use of adobe, and the frequent earthquakes. This research sought to identify the architectural theories influencing its design, the adaptations necessary for its coastal location, and the underlying mathematical and military concepts. Photogrammetry based techniques and a geographic information system (GIS) were used for georeferencing historical planimetry, along with the analysis of historical documents. This allowed us to reconstruct the original design and make evident how European ideas were adjusted to the particularities of the American territory, thus contributing to the improvement of knowledge about Spanish military architecture in America. Full article