Search Results (13)

Ocean energy is an abundant, eco-friendly, and renewable energy resource that is useful for powering sensor networks connected to the maritime Internet of Things (MIoT). These sensor networks can be used to measure different marine environmental parameters that affect ocean infrastructure integrity and harm marine ecosystems. This ocean energy can be harnessed through hybrid nanogenerators that combine triboelectric nanogenerators, electromagnetic generators, piezoelectric nanogenerators, and pyroelectric generators. These nanogenerators have advantages such as high-power density, robust design, easy operating principle, and cost-effective fabrication. However, the performance of these nanogenerators can be affected by the wear of their main components, reduction of wave frequency and amplitude, extreme corrosion, and sea storms. To address these challenges, future research on hybrid nanogenerators must improve their mechanical strength, including materials and packages with anti-corrosion coatings. Herein, we present recent advances in the performance of different hybrid nanogenerators to harvest ocean energy, including various transduction mechanisms. Furthermore, this review reports potential applications of hybrid nanogenerators to power devices in marine infrastructure or serve as self-powered MIoT monitoring sensor networks. This review discusses key challenges that must be addressed to achieve the commercial success of these nanogenerators, regarding design strategies with advanced simulation models or digital twins. Also, these strategies must incorporate new materials that improve the performance, reliability, and integration of future nanogenerator array systems. Thus, optimized hybrid nanogenerators can represent a promising technology for ocean energy harvesting with application in the maritime industry. Full article

Electric and hybrid marine vessels are marking a new phase of eco-friendly maritime transport, combining electricity and traditional propulsion to boost efficiency and reduce emissions. The industry’s advancements in charging infrastructure and strict regulations help these vessels lead the way toward a sustainable and economically viable future in shipping. In this review, electric and hybrid marine vessels are discussed, including past applications and trend demonstrations. This paper systematically analyzes maritime vessels’ energy management and battery systems, highlighting advances in lithium-based and alternative battery technologies. Additionally, the review examines the impact of these technologies on sustainability and operational efficiency in the maritime industry. This paper contributes to the field by presenting a holistic view of the challenges and solutions associated with the electrification of maritime vessels, aiming to inform future developments and policymaking in this dynamic sector. Unlike many existing reviews that focus exclusively on battery chemistries or energy management algorithms, this manuscript integrates multiple aspects of maritime electrification—including propulsion types, charging infrastructure, grid systems (MVDC), EMS, BMS, and AI applications—into one cohesive systems-level review. This cross-sectional integration is particularly rare in the literature and enhances the practical value of the review for designers, policymakers, and shipbuilders. Full article

As a fundamental part of water management, water sampling treatments have recently been integrated into unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies and offer eco-friendly, cost-effective, and time-saving solutions while reducing the necessity for qualified staff. However, the majority of applications have been conducted with rotary-wing configurations, which lack range and sampling capacity (i.e., payload), leading scientists to search for alternative designs or special configurations to enable more comprehensive water assessments. Hence, in this paper, the conceptual design of a novel long-range and high-capacity WIGE UAV capable of autonomous water sampling is presented in detail. The design process included a vortex lattice solver for aerodynamic investigations, while analytical and empirical methods were used for weight and dimensional estimations. Since the mission involved operation inside maritime traffic, potential obstacle avoidance scenarios were discussed in terms of operational safety, and the aim was for autonomous trajectory tracking performance to be improved by means of a stochastic optimization algorithm. For this purpose, an artificial intelligence-integrated concurrent engineering approach was applied for autonomous control system design and flight altitude determination, simultaneously. During the optimization, the stability and control derivatives of the constituted longitudinal and lateral aircraft dynamic models were predicted via a trained artificial neural network (ANN). The optimization results exhibited an aerodynamic performance enhancement of 3.92%, and a remarkable improvement in trajectory tracking performance for both the fly-over and maneuver obstacle avoidance modes, by 89.9% and 19.66%, respectively. Full article

This paper presents a detailed risk assessment framework tailored for retrofitting ship structures towards eco-friendliness. Addressing a critical gap in current research, it proposes a comprehensive strategy integrating technical, environmental, economic, and regulatory considerations. The framework, grounded in the Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) approach, adeptly combines quantitative and qualitative methodologies to assess the feasibility and impact of retrofitting technologies. A case study on ferry electrification, highlighting options like fully electric and hybrid propulsion systems, illustrates the application of this framework. Fully Electric Systems pose challenges such as ensuring ample battery capacity and establishing the requisite charging infrastructure, despite offering significant emission reductions. Hybrid systems present a flexible alternative, balancing electric operation with conventional fuel to reduce emissions without compromising range. This study emphasizes a holistic risk mitigation strategy, aligning advanced technological applications with environmental and economic viability within a strict regulatory context. It advocates for specific risk control measures that refine retrofitting practices, guiding the maritime industry towards a more sustainable future within an evolving technological and regulatory landscape. Full article

The sustainable development of the maritime supply chain is an undeniable trend. Low-carbon port operations are a vital component of creating an eco-friendly maritime supply chain, requiring substantial investments in technologies that reduce carbon emissions. However, the key factors influencing investment decisions by ports and shipping companies in these green technologies, particularly government subsidies, remain poorly understood. Hence, this paper proposes a game-based framework to explore the impact of government subsidies. Through numerical analysis, this study first demonstrates that the pricing decisions, investment level, and profits of ports and shipping companies are sensitive to government subsidies and low-carbon preferences of the market; however, the influence of government subsidies and low-carbon preferences varies with different adopted investment strategies. Furthermore, investment decisions are mainly influenced by investment costs, low-carbon preferences, government subsidies, and cost-sharing ratios. Ports are more sensitive to government subsidies and low-carbon preferences while shipping companies are more sensitive to government subsidies and cost-sharing ratios. In addition, government subsidies and low-carbon preferences are substitutes for each other and can balance cost-sharing ratios between ports and shipping companies. Finally, recommendations are provided to the government, ports, and shipping companies for promoting low-carbon port operations based on the findings of this study. Full article

Nowadays, the industrial world is undergoing a disruptive transformation towards more environmentally sustainable solutions. In the blue economy, this new approach is not only expressed in the domain of actual vessels, but also in the development of charging infrastructure, displaying a notable transition towards more eco-friendly solutions. The key focus lies in adopting flexible power systems capable of integrating renewable energy sources and storage technologies. Such systems play a crucial role in enabling a shift towards low-emission maritime transport. The emissions reduction goal extends beyond onboard shipboard distribution systems, encompassing also the design of supplying platforms and marinas. This study explores the implementation of a controlled DC microgrid tailored to efficient management of power flows within a yacht marina. Once having established the interfaces for the vessels at berth, the integration between the vessels, the onshore photovoltaic plant and the battery storage unit is made possible thanks to the coordinated management of multiple power converters. The overarching goal is to curtail reliance on external energy sources. Within this DC microgrid framework, a centralized controller assumes a pivotal role in orchestrating the power sources and loads. This coordinated management is essential to achieve sustainable operations, ultimately leading to the reduction of emissions from both ships and onshore power plants. Full article

As technologies such as eco-friendly ships, electric propulsion vessels, and multi-fuel propulsion systems advance, the scope of IoT applications in maritime fields is expanding, resulting in increased complexity in control factors. The gradual progression towards Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) is further driving the evolution of ship-based IoT applications. These advancements underscore the necessity for a platform capable of ensuring reliable connectivity between ships and onshore. The limitations of the existing single cloud architecture become evident in this context. In response to these emerging challenges, this paper presents a cloud-based data platform structure anchored in the architecture of a multi-region fog cloud. Concurrently, we propose a strategic approach aimed at enhancing collision avoidance performance. This is achieved through the seamless sharing of navigation plan data among ships facilitated by the proposed platform structure. In regions densely populated with ships, there looms a potential for packet loss as data traffic sharing intensifies through the platform. To address this concern, we devised a traffic model based on the AIS data generation cycle and proposed an algorithm for subscription decision. Subsequently, we conducted comparative analyses of packet loss probabilities between the single cloud structure and the multi-region fog cloud structure. This was achieved through experimental packet loss data collected via the AWS cloud. Simulation results underscored a notable difference: with 100 subscribed ships, the packet loss probability in regions assuming a single cloud was about 28 times higher compared to the same region within the multi-region fog cloud structure. These simulations affirm the stable and effective implementation of the proposed collision avoidance performance enhancement method within the multi-region fog cloud structure. Furthermore, feasibility was corroborated through the successful implementation of the proposed platform via the AWS Cloud. Full article

Maritime freight has gained popularity among researchers and practitioners due to its cost efficiency and eco-friendly nature. It was initially developed for cargo transfer, but its widespread adoption has made it the backbone of global economy. Despite its favourable nature, some of its serious negative effects have attracted the attention of researchers and scholars. Therefore, the present study reviews the extensive literature available on maritime freight logistics, and evaluates the existing access distance between sustainability practices and maritime freight logistics. A systematic three-stage review process including review planning, review conduct and evaluation is followed in this study. VOSviewer and the R language are used to evaluate relevant issues and changes in the literature. Thereafter, the content analysis highlights the major themes of the subject. This study underscores the impact of innovative technologies discovered to make maritime freight sustainable and also examines maritime freight transport in terms of three pillars of sustainability. The result has implications for policymakers to facilitate the smooth implementation of sustainable practices in maritime freight transportation. Full article

As the IMO aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships by more than 50% by 2050 compared to 2008, the paradigm of the shipbuilding and shipping industries is changing. The use of carbon-free fuels, such as hydrogen and ammonia, is progressing, along with the incorporation of batteries and fuel cells in ships. With the introduction of various propulsion power sources, the application of electric propulsion systems to ships is also expected to accelerate. The verification of reliability and safety is of paramount importance in the development of new technologies designed in response to environmental regulations. However, maritime demonstration is time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, an effective means of demonstrating the performance, reliability, and safety of various marine carbon-neutral technologies with a small burden is required. This study introduces a ship design for marine demonstration, integrating eco-friendly alternative fuels and electric propulsion system components. We further demonstrate a preparation process for the realization of marine carbon neutrality and future ship design through international joint research, standardization, and ship development, which can be linked to manpower training. Full article

The pathway to zero carbon emissions passing through carbon emissions reduction is mandatory in the shipping industry. Regarding the various methodologies and technologies reviewed for this purpose, Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) has been used as an excellent tool to determine economic feasibility and sustainability and to present directions. However, insufficient commercial applications cause a conflict of opinion on which fuel is the key to decarbonisation. Many LCCA comparison studies about eco-friendly ship propulsion claim different results. In order to overcome this and discover the key factors that affect the overall comparative analysis and results in the maritime field, it is necessary to conduct the comparative analysis considering more diverse case ships, case routes, and various types that combine each system. This study aims to analyse which greener fuels are most economically beneficial for the shipping sector and prove the factors influencing different results in LCCA. This study was conducted on hydrogen, ammonia, and electric energy, which are carbon-free fuels among various alternative fuels that are currently in the limelight. As the power source, a PEMFC and battery were used as the main power source, and a solar PV system was installed as an auxiliary power source to compare economic feasibility. Several cost data for LCCA were selected from various feasible case studies. As the difficulty caused by the storage and transportation of hydrogen and ammonia should not be underestimated, in this study, the LCCA considers not only the CapEx and OpEx but also fuel transport costs. As a result, fuel cell propulsion systems with hydrogen as fuel proved financial effectiveness for short-distance ferries as they are more inexpensive than ammonia-fuelled PEMFCs and batteries. The fuel cost takes around half of the total life-cycle cost during the life span. Full article

Biofouling control on human-made structures and seagoing technologies that minimize environmental impacts is a major focus of research in marine industries. However, the most widely used antifouling (AF) method is still copper-based coatings. Some “eco-friendly” approaches are commercially available but have been scarcely tested in natural conditions, especially high-energy environments. We conducted a replicated long-term field experiment in a highly wave-exposed, high productivity coastal environment to test three untreated materials used in maritime industries, two traditional copper-based AF coatings, and two materials offered as “eco-friendly” AF in the market (i.e., a slow-copper release and a self-adhesive, fiber-covered, skin-like coating). We showed that biofouling cover and biomass increased at similar rates over time among all untreated materials, including the skin-like AF. The two traditional copper-based AF coatings and the slow-release AF paint both showed similarly low biofouling biomass and richness, demonstrating their efficacy after 12 months in the field. Although the “eco-friendly” slow-release technologies are not completely innocuous to the environment, we suggest this approach over the more environmentally aggressive traditional copper paints, which are the most widely used in aquaculture and shipping industries today. However, further research is needed to test whether their environmental impact is significantly lower in the long-term than traditional AF paints, and therefore the search for non-toxic coating must continue. The fortuitous settlement and growth of sea urchins in our experiments also suggest that a combination of “eco-friendly” AF and biological control would be possible and should be further investigated. The skin-like coatings must be tested under different environmental conditions, and they are not recommended in wave-exposed coastal habitats. Full article

The upcoming autonomous vessel voyage is promising future in the maritime sector. However, so far, the contemporary route decision making technologies rely on human intervention. Therefore, this manuscript proposes the two newly developed speed algorithms: the modified fixed speed control and the wave feed forward speed control in the route decision making procedure for the autonomous vessels. These two algorithms can control the vessel’s speed without human intervention in eco-friendly and economic manner. The first algorithm is the wave feed forward speed control that can predict the speed change according to wave loads and compensate it to reduce the fluctuation of speed, power, and fuel consumption. To develop this algorithm, the real time modeling of the wave added resistance and the wave real time effect on propulsion are analyzed. The efficacy of the developed wave feed forward scheme is validated using the in-house route optimization simulation program through comparisons with the results of conventional speed governor control case. The developed schemes are applied to a 173 K LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) carrier with twin propulsion. The other proposed speed control algorithm is the modified fixed control algorithm. This algorithm improves the conventional fixed power control algorithm by adding a time marching module to satisfy the required time arrival of the voyage. The two proposed methods are analyzed in the various simulations—ideal environmental conditions and real voyage environments: The Pacific and the Atlantic cases. Based on the results, the suggested methods can reduce fuel oil consumption, gas emission, and wear and tear problem of the propulsion devise of ship. In the study, it is clearly demonstrated that the developed wave feed forward speed control and modified fixed power scheme perform much better than the conventional speed governor control case. Full article

In recent years, many industries have adopted technology and digital systems to automate, expedite and secure specific processes. Stakeholders in maritime transport continue to exchange physical documents in order to conduct business. The monitoring of supply chain goods, communication among employees, environmental sustainability and longevity control, along with time framing, all create challenges to many industries. Everyday onboard work, such as cargo operations, navigation and various types of inspections in shipping, still requires paper documents and logs that need to be signed (and stamped). The conversion of traditional paper contracts into smart contracts, which can be digitalized and read through automation, provides a new wave of collaboration between eco systems across the shipping industry. Various data collected and stored on board ships could be used for scientific purposes. Distributed ledger technology (DLT) could be used to collect all those data and improve shipping operations by process expediting. It could eliminate the need to fill in various documents and logs and make operations safer and more environmentally friendly. Information about various important procedures onboard ships could be shared among all interested stakeholders. This paper considers the possible application of distributed ledger technology as an aid for the control of overboard discharge of wastewater from commercial ships. The intended outcome is that it could help protect the environment by sending data to relevant stakeholders in real time, thus providing information regarding the best discharge areas. The use of a structured communal data transference would ensure a consistent and accurate way to transmit data to all interested parties, and would eliminate the need to fill in various paper forms and logs. Wastewater overboard discharges would be properly monitored, recorded and measured, as distributed ledger technology would prevent any possibility of illegal actions and falsification of documents, thus ensuring environmental sustainability. Full article