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Risk and Safety of Maritime Transportation
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Risk and Safety of Maritime Transportation

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Transportation and Future Mobility".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 6251

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Andrea Maternová

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Water Transport, University of Zilina, Zilina, Slovakia
Interests: safety (maritime and IWT); human error; transportation of dangerous goods; logistics
Dr. Andrej Dávid

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Water Transport, University of Zilina, Zilina, Slovakia
Interests: maritime transport; inland navigation; maritime and inland ports; safety
Dr. Nermin Hasanspahic

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Maritime Department, University of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Interests: traffic safety; accident analysis; safety management; risk analysis
Dr. Lucia Švábová

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Finance and Financial Management, University of Zilina, Zilina, Slovakia
Interests: statistical methods in transport
Dr. Ayeley Tchangani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
LGP-ENIT, Université de Toulouse, Tarbes, France
Interests: decision analysis; risk management; artificial intelligence; Bayesian network; bipolar analysis
Dr. Grzegorz Karoń

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Transport Systems, Faculty Transport and Aviation Engineering, Traffic Engineering and Logistic, Silesian University of Technology, 40-019 Katowice, Poland
Interests: modelling of transportation systems and processes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This journal is dedicated to enhancing safety and managing risks in maritime transportation. With maritime transportation playing a crucial role in global trade and economic development, the need for advancing safety in this sector has never been more pressing. The complexity of maritime operations, along with the tough conditions they often face, exposes this sector to a variety of significant risks resulting from operational and environmental hazards.

Safety in maritime transportation is crucial for several key reasons. Firstly, it prioritises human life by preventing accidents and protecting crew members and passengers. Secondly, it plays a critical role in environmental protection, as maritime activities can lead to pollution and ecosystem damage. Additionally, safety measures are essential for economic stability, preventing costly disruptions and ensuring efficient global trade. Compliance with stringent regulations is necessary in the maritime industry, and effective risk assessment helps to achieve this, avoiding legal issues and fines. Together, these factors underscore the importance of maritime safety for sustainability, resilience, and global well-being.

We are therefore interested in articles that provide insight into the issues of hazards, risk assessment, causal factor identification and safety of maritime transportation in general. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Risk analysis and risk management in maritime transportation.
  • Human factors and crew resource management in maritime operations.
  • Examining the causal factors that contribute to shipping accidents.
  • Hazardous material handling in maritime transport.
  • Safety management and compliance in the maritime domain.
  • Insight into the latest innovations in ship design that prioritise safety.
  • The role of artificial intelligence in maritime risk management.
  • Lessons learned and preventative strategies.
  • Analysis of environmental impacts of shipping on the marine environment.
  • Implementing and monitoring safety cultures in maritime organisations.
  • Development and implementation of new technologies for navigation, communication, and operations at sea.
  • Research into crew management, fatigue, training, and human error.

Dr. Andrea Maternová
Dr. Andrej Dávid
Dr. Nermin Hasanspahic
Dr. Lucia Švábová
Dr. Ayeley Tchangani
Dr. Grzegorz Karoń
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • maritime
  • risks
  • hazards
  • safety
  • challenges

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1776 KiB  
Article
Characterization and Modelling of Potential Seaborne Disasters, in the ANA Region
by Ashraf Labib, Dylan Jones, Natalia Andreassen, Rune Elvegård and Mikel Dominguez Cainzos
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020782 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 507
Abstract
Shipping activities continue to experience growth across a multitude of industrial sectors within the Arctic, hence there are risks in terms of severity and likelihood of accidents. The Arctic region is inherently dangerous to transportation and human existence due to its extreme climate [...] Read more.
Shipping activities continue to experience growth across a multitude of industrial sectors within the Arctic, hence there are risks in terms of severity and likelihood of accidents. The Arctic region is inherently dangerous to transportation and human existence due to its extreme climate and environmental conditions, and hence the complexities associated with emergency situations within the maritime domain are amplified when operating within the Arctic and North-Atlantic (ANA). The definition and characterisation of potential seaborne disasters and catastrophic incidents in the ANA region are significant enablers in providing a set of critical and sustainable tools for Search and Rescue (SAR), Oil Spill Response (OSR), and emergency management practitioners. Therefore, in this paper we aim to identify and characterise high-priority potential seaborne disasters and catastrophic incidents in the ANA region such as cruise ship accidents, oil leaks, radiological leaks, and fishing boat groundings. These were compiled as an outcome of a set of workshops carried out as part of the ARCSAR, EU Horizon 2020 funded project, and from analysis of the literature. We also provide root cause analysis techniques, tools for strategic decision-making, and means of mitigation. We demonstrate how such tools can be used by applying some of them to a selective case study and drawing lessons learned from the application of root cause analysis, which can help emergency response organisations with preparedness work and hence more efficient response. In doing so, we provide a set of tools that can be used for strategic and operational learning. Such approaches can help standardise the definition and characterisation of potential seaborne disasters and catastrophic incidents in the ANA region in both prospective and retrospective analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk and Safety of Maritime Transportation)
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34 pages, 4779 KiB  
Article
Fishing Vessel Risk and Safety Analysis: A Bibliometric Analysis, Clusters Review and Future Research Directions
by Soon Hyun Lee, Hyungju Kim and Sooyeon Kwon
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(22), 10439; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210439 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 863
Abstract
This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to evaluate the current research landscape and identify future directions in fishing vessel safety. Using the Scopus database, 285 relevant documents were collected and analyzed using the Biblioshiny app version 4.1 in the bibliometrix R package and [...] Read more.
This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to evaluate the current research landscape and identify future directions in fishing vessel safety. Using the Scopus database, 285 relevant documents were collected and analyzed using the Biblioshiny app version 4.1 in the bibliometrix R package and VOSviewer version 1.6.20. The analysis generated an authors’ collaboration network, a three-field plot, and a keyword Thematic map, which were used for citation analysis, while VOSviewer was utilized to build networks between journals, articles, affiliations, countries, and keywords, enabling bibliographic coupling. The results identified four primary research clusters: Accident/Risk Analysis, Human Errors, Stability, and Operation. A detailed review of selected studies within these clusters was conducted, focusing on accident and risk factors, analytical methods, their strengths and weaknesses, and potential improvements. Based on these findings, a discussion was provided on future research directions in fishing vessel safety. The results suggest that future research should prioritize the integration of advanced technologies, enhancement of real-time monitoring capabilities, and promotion of international collaboration to ensure the safety of fishermen in hazardous environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk and Safety of Maritime Transportation)
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21 pages, 2064 KiB  
Article
Estimating the Human Error Probability during Lifeboat Drills
by Tonći Biočić, Nermin Hasanspahić, Miho Kristić and Ivica Đurđević-Tomaš
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(14), 6221; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14146221 - 17 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1184
Abstract
Lifeboats are life-saving equipment used when it is necessary to abandon a ship or, in some ships, for man-overboard situations (to collect persons from water). Every seafarer onboard a ship has a task related to lifeboat operation in an emergency. In order to [...] Read more.
Lifeboats are life-saving equipment used when it is necessary to abandon a ship or, in some ships, for man-overboard situations (to collect persons from water). Every seafarer onboard a ship has a task related to lifeboat operation in an emergency. In order to master and practise the assigned tasks, be ready to react at any moment, and efficiently use life-saving equipment and appliances, seafarers on ships perform drills at prescribed intervals. Effective drill performance is of paramount importance, as it improves safety and enables crew members to practise lifeboat operations. However, although their primary role is life-saving, lifeboat drills have resulted in numerous accidents, causing injuries and fatalities, besides equipment damage. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent such unwanted events and discover their root causes. As the human factor is considered a significant cause of marine accidents, this paper aims to quantify human error probability (HEP) during lifeboat drills. In addition, because lifeboat drill accident data are scarce, this study adopted the Success Likelihood Index Method (SLIM) for human reliability analysis (HRA). Based on expert judgments, the tasks with the highest probability of human error and factors significantly influencing human performance during lifeboat drills are identified. According to the study results, the recovery of the lifeboat is the most hazardous phase with the highest HEP. In addition, the BN-SLIM is adopted to estimate the probability of human error during the recovery of the lifeboat. The task with the largest HEP is confirming the release lever is properly rested and hooks locked (HEP = 4.5%). Furthermore, the design and condition of equipment and Crew Competence are identified as the most important Performance-Shaping Factors (PSFs) that affect crew members’ performance. The BN-SLIM model was verified utilising a sensitivity analysis and validated by analysing real-life lifeboat drill accidents that occurred during lifeboat recovery. The results confirmed that the model could be used to analyse lifeboat accidents and for proactive preventive measures because most influencing factors are recognised, and acting on them can significantly reduce the HEP of the overall task, improve lifeboat safety, and save lives at sea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk and Safety of Maritime Transportation)
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15 pages, 8489 KiB  
Article
Investigation Lubricity Performance of Lubricating Oil Used in Marine Diesel Engine—Fuel Injection Pump
by Piotr Kaminski
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(14), 6148; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14146148 - 15 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1565
Abstract
Diesel engines commonly suffer from oil contamination by fuel and other chemicals during operation and maintenance. This contamination alters the oil’s lubricating properties, leading to increased wear, corrosion, and other potential problems. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how oil degrades and becomes [...] Read more.
Diesel engines commonly suffer from oil contamination by fuel and other chemicals during operation and maintenance. This contamination alters the oil’s lubricating properties, leading to increased wear, corrosion, and other potential problems. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how oil degrades and becomes contaminated due to different replacement strategies is crucial for both engine operators and manufacturers. This study focuses on the impact of fuel dilution on specific properties of engine oil under real-world operating conditions in a marine diesel engine. Oil samples were collected regularly from the crankcase of the engine fuel injection pump and tribological tests were performed. These tests aimed to assess how marine gas oil affects the oil lubricity performance and how it maintains its useful life. The results confirm that diesel dilution primarily affects the oil lubricating abilities as well as overall performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk and Safety of Maritime Transportation)
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19 pages, 1468 KiB  
Systematic Review
Systematic Review of the Problematic Factors in the Evacuation of Cruise/Large Passenger Vessels and Existing Solutions
by Antonios Andreadakis and Dimitrios Dalaklis
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(24), 11723; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142411723 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 761
Abstract
Background: In recent decades, the size and passenger capacity of cruise/passenger ships has been associated with noticeable growth; in turn, this has created significant concerns regarding the adequacy of existing evacuation protocols during an “abandon the ship” situation (life threatening emergency). This study [...] Read more.
Background: In recent decades, the size and passenger capacity of cruise/passenger ships has been associated with noticeable growth; in turn, this has created significant concerns regarding the adequacy of existing evacuation protocols during an “abandon the ship” situation (life threatening emergency). This study provides a systematic overview of related weaknesses and challenges, identifying critical factors that influence evacuation efficiency, and also proposes innovative/interdisciplinary solutions to address those challenges. It further emphasizes the growing complexity of cruise/passenger ship evacuations due to increased vessel size/heavy density of human population, as well as identifying the necessity of addressing both technical and human-centered elements to enhance safety and efficiency of those specific operations. Methods: Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach, a comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted across academic databases, including Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and a limited number of academic journals that are heavily maritime-focused in their mission. Emphasis was placed on peer-reviewed articles and certain gray studies exploring the impacts of ship design, human behavior, group dynamics, and environmental conditions on evacuation outcomes. This review prioritized research incorporating advanced simulation models, crowd management solutions (applied in various disciplines, such as stadiums, airports, malls, and ships), real-world case studies, and established practices aligned with contemporary maritime safety standards. Results: The key findings identify several critical factors influencing the overall evacuation efficiency, including ship heeling angles, staircase configurations, and passenger (physical) characteristics (with their mobility capabilities and related demographics clearly standing out, among others). This effort underscores the pivotal role of group dynamics, including the influence of group size, familiarity among the group, and leader-following behaviors, in shaping evacuation outcomes. Advanced technological solutions, such as dynamic wayfinding systems, real-time monitoring, and behavior-based simulation models, emerged as essential tools for optimizing an evacuation process. Innovative strategies to mitigate identified challenges, such as phased evacuations, optimized muster station placements, and tailor made/strategic passenger cabin allocations to reduce congestion during an evacuation and enhance the overall evacuation flow, are also highlighted. Conclusions: Protecting people facing a life-threatening situation requires timely preparations. The need for a holistic evacuation strategy that effectively integrates specific ship design considerations and human factors management, along with inputs related to advanced information technology-related solutions, is the best way forward. At the same time, the importance of real-time adaptive management systems and interdisciplinary approaches to address the challenges of modern cruise/passenger ship evacuations clearly stands out. These findings provide a robust foundation for future research and practical applications, contributing to advancements in maritime safety and the development of efficient evacuation protocols for large-in-size cruise/passenger vessels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk and Safety of Maritime Transportation)
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