The pressure on shipping to reduce its carbon footprint is increasing. Various measures are being proposed at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), including MarketBased Measures (MBMs). This paper investigates the potential of a bunker levy in achieving short-term CO2 emissions reductions. The analysis focuses on the tanker market and uses data from the latest IMO GHG studies and a variety of other sources. The connection between fuel prices and freight rates on the one hand and vessel speeds on the other is investigated for the period 2010-2018. A model to find a tanker’s optimal laden and ballast speeds is also developed and applied to a variety of scenarios. Results show that a bunker levy, depending on the scenario, can lead to short-term CO2 emissions reductions of up to 43%. Policy implications are also discussed, particularly vis-à-vis recent IMO and European Union (EU) action on MBMs.
This paper considers the problem of determining the optimal vessel fleet to support maintenance operations at an offshore wind farm. We propose a two-stage stochastic programming (SP) model of the problem where the first stage decisions are what vessels to charter. The second stage decisions are how to support maintenance tasks using the chartered vessels from the first stage, given uncertainty in weather conditions and the occurrence of failures. To solve the resulting SP model we perform an ad-hoc Dantzig–Wolfe decomposition where, unlike standard decomposition approaches for SP models, parts of the second stage problem remain in the master problem. The decomposed model is then solved as a matheuristic by apriori generating a subset of the possible extreme points from the Dantzig–Wolfe subproblems. A computational study in three parts is presented. First, we verify the underlying mathematical model by comparing results to leading work from the literature. Then, results from in-sample and out-of-sample stability tests are presented to verify that the matheuristic gives stable results. Finally, we exemplify how the model can help offshore wind farm operators and vessel developers improve their decision making processes.
Recent trends in port development show that ports are making increasing efforts to forge mutually beneficial cooperation strategies, particularly ports sharing a common hinterland. In this paper, we analyse the North Adriatic ports (Koper, Rijeka, Trieste and Venice) with a focus on two related themes. First, the complementarity of the North Adriatic (NA) ports in the container market is analysed based on port vessel service patterns and shipping line interviews. We operationalize the analysis of complementarity with an analysis of the effects of multiple port calls on the revenue required to make a call in a specific NA port economically feasible. We conclude that the inclusion of another NA port reduces the minimum required revenue for a call in an additional NA port.
Second, we assess the scope and depth of cooperation between ports. We map current and potential future cooperation using a 'cooperation matrix' with two dimensions: the involvement of stakeholders (limited vs. broad), and the depth of cooperation (pre-competitive vs. commercial). We use in-depth interviews with port authorities, terminal operators, rail operators, major shipping lines and forwarders in the NA region to position the NA ports in the matrix. We conclude by discussing prospects of future NAPA ports cooperation.
Cod stocks in the Danish inland waters and the Baltic Sea have collapsed today. Fishing vessels have therefore been required to install video cameras that film the catch for control purposes. The use of artificial intelligence for automated documentation of the catch is therefore a promising solution for control as well as research and management purposes that can contribute to rebuilding cod stocks and ensuring sustainable fishing in the future.
The EU Green Deal calls for a rapid and efficient green transition. On-going climate change and an increasing need for secure and sustainable energy means ambitious projects and goals are accelerated. To expand and exchange offshore wind energy across North Sea neighbouring countries, the Danish government presented in 2020 the Danish North Sea Energy Island (NSEI) project. This pilot project illustrates the shift from ‘nationally individualistic’ modes of connecting offshore wind energy projects, to supplying a multi-lateral renewable offshore energy grid. The Energy Island project builds on the Hub-and-Spoke (H&S) approach, which introduces a new level of complexity to governing the next generation of offshore wind energy projects. This paper analyses the political motivations for the Danish project and the planning and implementation of the Energy Islands, integrating a combination of collaborative and transboundary governance perspectives. The qualitative analysis is based on a document analysis and a literature review. Findings show how planning for the Danish Energy Island has faced delays and challenges, causing uncertainties about the Island’s capability to support Green Deal goals, as well as a mismatch between political ambitions and practical implementation. The artificial offshore island is currently under reconsideration due to costs and is, as of March 2024, still in its planning phase. This case study on the Danish NSEI serves as an introduction to the general functionalities and development of the Island and defines a Danish Energy Island. Results indicate that the combination of transboundary and collaborative governance structures are necessary as part of a successful implementation of Energy Islands.
The importance of reliable battery energy storage systems (BESS) is key to the sustainability of many applications such as renewable power, smart grids, and electric vehicles (EVs). Due to decreasing cost and maturing technology, the Li-ion batteries are now widely used for grid-level storage, grid support for improved power quality, integration with photovoltaic systems, and EV applications. A Li-ion battery pack typically comprises Li-ion cells connected in a suitable combination of series and parallel structure. A battery management system (BMS) is required for charging and discharging, monitoring the current and voltage of each cell or string, battery protection, and temperature control. The system's reliability depends on the BESS reliability and is affected by many factors, including temperature, C-rate, DOD. This research aims to improve BESS reliability by using accurate lifetime modelling for various BMS and converter topologies to identify real-time BESS health and ensure reliability through a suitable control strategy. In particular, the reliability of the BESS for centralized, modularised, distributed, and decentralized topology will be explored along with its cost-reliability trade-off. I will focus on control strategies for optimizing BESS reliability for different applications.
This paper studies real-time deterministic prediction of wave-induced ship motions using the autocorrelation functions (ACFs) from short-time measurements, namely the instantaneous ACFs. The Prolate Spheroidal Wave Functions (PSWF) are introduced to correct the large lag time errors in the instantaneous sample ACF, together with a modification of the autocorrelation (AC) matrix for ensuring its positive definiteness. The validity of the PSWF-based ACFs is first examined by using the ship motion measurements from model experiment under stationary wave excitations. It is shown that the use of PSWF-based ACFs leads to better prediction accuracy than direct use of sample ACFs. The validation is then extended to ship motion prediction using in-service data from a container ship, and an improvement of the prediction accuracy by PSWF-based ACFs is again found. Finally, the effectiveness of use of the instantaneous ACFs for non-stationary wave-induced responses is highlighted by comparing with the prediction results based on the ACFs from long-time measurements.
The BBNJ Agreement will affect legal frameworks for the conservation of marine biological diversity in various regions of the world ocean and the marine Arctic is no exception. As biological diversity in the marine Arctic is particularly vulnerable, the implications of the BBNJ Agreement for the conservation of biological diversity in the marine Arctic deserves serious consideration. Of particular note is the procedure for an environmental impact assessment (EIA). Given that damage to the environment may be irreversible, it is a prerequisite to conduct an EIA before authorizing planned activities, with a view to preventing environmental harm. An EIA constitutes a crucial element in the conservation of the marine environment, including biological diversity. Hence, this article examines the potential implications of the procedure for an EIA as set out under the BBNJ Agreement for the conservation of biological diversity in the marine Arctic beyond national jurisdiction.
The existence of a sense of common or community interests is a prerequisite to establishing an order in a society, national or international. In this connection, it is notable that the protection of community interests is increasingly important in international law and the law of the sea is no exception. The increasing need for protecting community interests necessitates a new paradigm in the law of the sea. The legal issues regarding the marine Arctic should also be considered in the context of changing paradigms in the law of the sea. Thus this article seeks to overview principal issues of the international law governing the marine Arctic from the viewpoints of a dual paradigm, that is, the law of divided oceans (paradigm I) and the law of our common ocean (paradigm II).
This new edition has been revised and updated to provide current and comprehensive coverage of essential issues of the international law of the sea in a systematic manner. This book presents two paradigms of the law of the sea: the law of divided oceans and the law of our common ocean. It covers contemporary issues, such as protection of the marine biological diversity, marine plastic pollution, the Arctic, and impacts of climate change on the oceans. Following the clear and accessible approach of previous editions, with many illustrations and tables, The International Law of the Sea continues to help students to best understand the law of the sea.