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Maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) are one of the hot topics in maritime transportation even though they bring many challenges in terms of safety, security, and environment. This paper tackles the safety-related challenges of remotely controlled ships without seafarers on board but controlled at the shore. In this context, the reliability of the operator is of paramount importance for safe and efficient MASS operation. This paper performs systematic human reliability analysis for the operator of MASS (for degree 3) under the Bayesian belief network (BBN) and evidential reasoning (ER)- cognitive reliability and error analysis method (CREAM) approach. In the model, BBN is capable of determining the probability distribution of Contextual Control Modes in CREAM, while ER tackles the uncertainty and subjectivity of expert judgments. The outcome of the paper shows that the human reliability for remote control MASS operation is 8.88E-01. Besides its robust theoretical background, the paper will provide the utmost contributions to operators, managers, safety inspectors, and ship owners of MASS for safer and reliable operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract It was necessary to determine how to estimate the operational efficiency through an objective evaluation since a ship owner's interest was closely connected to the operating cost. Ship owners demanded that shipyards predicted the most efficient speed based on the evaluated operating cost by considering the hydrodynamic characteristics of a ship, sea route, environmental conditions including wind and waves, equipment features including main engine, and GCU, fuel property, and others. In this paper, we constructed a new approach to estimate the operating cost, by developing direct cost evaluation in consideration of the requested factors. As a result, the observed slow steaming was investigated on the basis of the hydrodynamic characteristics of the vessel and the effect of the activated GCU on the operating cost could be analyzed. Finally, a speed range within which slow steaming was effective was perceived, and the most efficient speed was observed at the lowest speed of that range. Highlights • The operating cost of an LNGC was estimated in consideration of the hydrodynamic characteristics, sea route, environmental conditions, and equipment operation. • The characteristics of the slow steaming was investigated from the estimated operating cost. • The most efficient speed was found in a speed range within which slow steaming is effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the peak years of ransom piracy along the coast of Somalia, hijacked vessels remained anchored with hostages aboard for months or even years whilst hostage takers awaited ransom payments in exchange for releasing these vessels and their hostages. The present study theorizes how spatial strategies of violence co-produced carceral experiences among hostages and hostage takers alike by analyzing testimonials from former ransom piracy hostages aboard ships whose owners lacked insurance to disburse ransom payments and whose crew consisted of seafarers from African, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries ill-equipped to provide ransom payments. Utilizing a threefold theoretical conceptualization that unites work by political geographers on negative biopolitics (Rose), the violence of logistics (Cowen), and state ignorance (Hannah), the present study illuminates the precarious situation of both seafarer hostages and hostage takers aboard captured ships and demonstrates how hostage takers, ship owners, and global geopolitics jointly contributed to the suffering associated with ransom piracy along the coast of Somalia. • Hijacked ships become precarious carceral spaces that continuously (re)produce experiences of containment and violence. • We theorize the concept of carceral occupation at sea. • Carceral occupation exacerbates the precarious situation and violence experienced by seafarer hostages and hostage takers. • Hostage takers, ship owners, and global geopolitics jointly contributed to the suffering associated with ransom piracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dismantling end-of-life ships in substandard conditions has detrimental effects on the environment, labour rights and occupational health. To steer the industry's transition towards adopting more sustainable practices, the European Union has introduced the European Ship Recycling Regulation (SRR), which includes a list of certified shipyards (the European List, EL) that are allowed to recycle EU-flagged fleet. The functionality of the SRR, and especially the adequacy of the recycling capacity included in the European List, has raised doubts among the academic community and practitioners. To increase understanding, this article reviews the recycling demand posed by existing EU-flagged fleet and compares it to the recycling capacity available in the beginning of 2020. State-of-the-art fleet statistics obtained from the Clarkson World Fleet Register are subjected to descriptive statistical analysis, regression analysis and ANOVA. The results show that the current capacity of the EL is not adequate to cover the anticipated recycling demand. This implies that substantial additional capacity located outside the EU is needed. At the current commodity price levels the estimated market potential is not likely to attract enough newcomers that meet the standard to the market. The scrapping prices may decline significantly increasing the cost of replenishment for the shipping business. The article makes a solid policy contribution in terms of evaluating the implications of the SRR and providing valuable insights for the future in a context in which policymaking is constantly evolving. • Current capacity under the European Ship Recycling Regulation is insufficient. • High costs and low revenue potential likely to prevent newcomers from the market. • Scrap values of EU-flagged vessels are likely to decline. • The cost of replenishment for the European ship owners expected to increase. • New policy instruments needed to secure environmentally sound recycling practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]