The green transition in maritime transport requires systemic change

The Gyroscope project, funded by the Research Council of Finland, has now been running for two years. During this time, data has been collected from literature, interviews, and workshops. Additionally, researchers have participated in numerous national and international conferences where they have presented the project and their research. Several scientific articles are also either underway or already completed.

On 25th of November 2024, we organized an online mid-term seminar. All parties who supported the Gyroscope project during the application phase were invited, including representatives from public authorities and various interest groups. The purpose of the seminar was to present what has been accomplished so far, share plans, and receive comments and questions from stakeholders. The seminar was bilingual, with researchers presenting in either English or Finnish.

The seminar began with a brief introduction to the project by Project Leader Toni Ahlqvist from the Finland Futures Research Centre at the University of Turku. Following this, at least one researcher from each of the project’s five partners gave a presentation.

The program of the seminar was as follows:

  • Janne I. Hukkinen, University of Helsinki, Environmental Policy Research Group: Sustainability transformation in maritime fuels requires a transformation of the entire energy system
  • Sami Vikkula, University of Helsinki: Cost-benefit analysis of alternative fuels in the maritime industry (working title) and completion of previous articles
  • Patrik Kauppi and Emilia Luoma, Kotka Maritime Research Centre: Towards more sustainable shipping: Examining emission reduction measures and alternative fuels
  • Sunil Basnet and Raheleh Farokhi, Aalto University: Managing risks associated with the green transition: focusing on autonomous ship technologies and winter navigation
  • Ville Lauttamäki, University of Turku, Finland Futures Research Centre: Transition or transformation? – Observations on the sustainability shift in maritime transport

The seminar delved into topics such as how the sustainability transition of maritime fuels necessitates a transformation of the entire energy system. Achieving this requires systemic change and extensive cooperation across different sectors. Furthermore, achieving a truly sustainable green transition in maritime transport calls for a holistic approach that considers both economic, social, and ecological sustainability. Further, ecological sustainability must account for a broad range of environmental impacts to avoid merely shifting the burden from one area to another.

The seminar also highlighted how reports on the sustainability transition in maritime transport tend to focus narrowly on fuel transitions while overlooking broader systemic changes. It is crucial to critically examine whether we can sustainably produce enough new fuels to meet demand and whether achieving a genuinely sustainable green transition is possible without also reducing consumption.

Stakeholder representatives provided comments and posed questions during the seminar, which sparked valuable discussions. Topics such as the risks associated with the green transition and the need for a comprehensive perspective were of particular interest.

Text: Emilia Luoma

WATERWAYS project supports sustainable use of maritime routes

What does the sustainable and resilient use of the Baltic Sea’s maritime routes look like, and how can it be promoted under prevailing conditions? These are the questions addressed by WATERWAYS, a Strategic Research Council project launched in December 2024. The project aims to balance risks and opportunities while developing sustainable future pathways through collaboration between a multidisciplinary research team and key stakeholders. Experts in information technology, marine engineering, environmental science, and maritime law from Finland’s leading universities and research institutions contribute to the project. The goal is to provide new perspectives, knowledge, and tools that support the sustainable use of maritime routes, benefiting both society and the scientific community.

 

Maritime routes amid change

The Baltic Sea is a vital transport corridor for Finland, supporting national well-being, security of supply, and sustainable development goals. However, intense shipping traffic is also a key contributor to the deterioration of the sea’s ecological state.

The global use of marine areas is increasing for transport, energy production, food production, tourism, and recreation. At the same time, awareness of the vulnerability of marine ecosystems is growing, leading to demands for greater protection and restoration of marine areas. This creates competition for maritime space among various industries and environmental conservation needs.

In the Baltic Sea, several current trends and challenges stand out. Geopolitical tensions impact the safety of maritime routes, and sanctions against Russia have altered traffic patterns, giving rise to a “shadow fleet” of high-risk vessels. Climate change is destabilizing the Baltic Sea’s ecosystems, necessitating effective conservation and restoration measures. Simultaneously, changing weather conditions challenge the operation and planning of maritime transport.

The green transition aimed at mitigating climate change introduces new fuels and offshore wind power, but also new types of emissions and risks that require careful evaluation and management. As oil transport declines, attention shifts to the effects and safety of alternative fuel transportation.

Balancing the risks and opportunities associated with maritime routes in the Baltic Sea within an ever-evolving operational environment is a demanding task. It is therefore timely to consider what sustainable and resilient use and development of maritime routes entails under these conditions, what it requires, and how it can be supported.

 

WATERWAYS: Maritime routes as a source of well-being, security, and safety

The WATERWAYS project, funded by the Strategic Research Council and launched in December 2024, focuses on promoting the sustainable use and development of the Baltic Sea’s maritime routes. Its goal is to enhance the positive contributions of these routes to well-being and security while reducing environmental pressures. By examining ecological, social, technological, and legal dimensions, the project will provide new tools and recommendations to support strategic planning and decision-making.

The project idea emerged in autumn 2023 when Professors Mashrura Musharraf (Aalto University), Sakari Kuikka (University of Helsinki), Osiris Valdez Banda (Aalto University), and Research Director Annukka Lehikoinen of Merikotka gathered to explore collaborative opportunities under the new research program theme Water for Welfare, Security and Peace (WaWe). The team soon expanded to include Dr. Jukka-Pekka Jalkanen, an expert in emission modeling at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, and Professor Henrik Ringbom, an expert in maritime law from Åbo Akademi University.

The research ideas were refined in dialogue with ministries and agencies, deepening the team’s understanding of the challenges and knowledge needs related to the Baltic Sea maritime transport sector. WATERWAYS aims to find solutions for managing the risks and environmental impacts of maritime activities while strengthening their positive societal impacts.

The project will achieve its goals through the following approaches:

  1. Enhanced monitoring: Improving the capacity to track and analyze both legal and illegal activities in marine areas.
  2. Environmental pressure assessment: Developing the ability to evaluate the impacts of shipping and recreational boating.
  3. Facilitating coexistence: Designing solutions to align and balance various maritime activities.
  4. Advancing preparedness: Strengthening readiness to prevent and manage marine spills and environmental damage caused by them.

 

Stakeholder interaction: co-creating sustainable solutions

Kotka Maritime Research Association (Merikotka ry) plays a central role in coordinating societal interaction within the WATERWAYS project. Strategic Research Council projects emphasize stakeholder engagement and the active role of researchers in societal dialogue.

Key stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the project in various roles, including as information providers, co-developers, evaluators, test users, and commentators. Interaction methods range from regular meetings and email communication to in-depth research-based interviews, surveys, workshops, and events. These activities bring together the project consortium, stakeholders, and external experts to build shared understanding and solutions.

The primary goals of interaction are twofold. First, to ensure that the knowledge produced by the project is relevant, timely, and easily usable for stakeholders. Second, to create opportunities for co-production of knowledge, joint interpretation of research findings, and the design of sustainable future solutions.

WATERWAYS project preparations are progressing. The project’s website will be launched, and an advisory expert group comprising stakeholder representatives will be established in early 2025. A kick-off seminar in spring 2025 will bring together researchers and stakeholders to discuss and build collaboration that informs both the research and interaction activities of the project.

Updates on WATERWAYS news and outcomes will be actively shared on Merikotka’s LinkedIn channel thus now is a great time to join its growing follower base!

 

Text: Annukka Lehikoinen

Open position – We are looking for a PROJECT RESEARCHER

We are looking for a

PROJECT RESEARCHER

whose task will be to carry out the research work for the international BRISK II project in accordance with the approved project plan.

The goal of the BRISK II project (Long-term risk analysis for oil and hazardous and noxious substances pollution from shipping accidents to the marine environment in the Baltic Sea) is to update the risk management tool developed in previous projects (BRISK, BE-AWARE), which is used to provide up-to-date oil spill risk assessments for the Baltic Sea.

The researcher will participate in the collection and analysis of data needed to update the risk assessment tool, the development of future maritime traffic scenarios, and the modeling of the required preparedness capacity, in collaboration with the project’s international expert group.

We are looking for candidates with:

  • A relevant higher education degree (Master’s or Doctorate)
  • Expertise in risk assessment and management related to maritime activities
  • Experience in independent research, data collection, and reporting of results
  • Proficiency in both written and spoken English

Read the full job advertisement HERE.

Presenting Research and Networking at the ICES Conference

The Annual Science Conference of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) was organized this year in Gateshead, England. ICES is an intergovernmental marine science organization with almost 6 000 scientists and 20 member countries. We Kotka Maritime Research Centre (KMRC) researchers Patrik Kauppi and Emilia Luoma attended the 4-day conference with a poster “Addressing biodiversity risks in the maritime sector: a focus on green transition” and an oral presentation “Balancing risks and opportunities between climate objectives and marine life: green maritime fuels as a case study”. The theme of the conference sessions was this year fishery oriented but especially the presentations considering maritime spatial planning were highly relevant to us KMRC researchers.

The conference started on Monday in somewhat rainy and chilly England. The venue was the International Centre for Music in Gateshead, also known as “the Glasshouse”. The opening ceremony of the first day was spectacular, featuring music performance and an inspiring keynote speech. The keynote was particularly suitable for us, as it emphasized interactivity and elaborated on the meanings of the terms multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary. The terms that we are very closely linked to all the time. The researchers’ presentations during the conference were interesting to listen to, even though they mostly focused on fishing and fish stocks.  As maritime transport impacts marine ecosystems, it is beneficial to have some awareness of the status of fish populations. In the evenings, the conference allowed for a more relaxed atmosphere, including visits to the Newcastle United football team’s stadium and an art exhibition at the Biscuit Factory.

Luoma’s presentation was held in a very diverse theme session regarding scientific advances under ICES science plan. Her eight-minute presentation was based on the ongoing research in the Gyroscope project. The presentation underlined that since the use of green maritime fuels affects the whole marine transportation system, there is a need for systems understanding to make the transition sustainable. To address this issue in the project, workshops have been organized for experts with diverse backgrounds to discuss the potential risks and opportunities when different aspects of sustainability are considered.  Based on the discussions, causal networks have been drawn to visualize the key variables and the causalities between them. The aim of the study is to identify the factors on which the sustainability of solutions most critically depends on, and which should be prioritized. Although the work is still in progress, it is already evident that there is a need for a knowledge co-production of this kind.

Emilia Luoma presented the ongoing study in the GYROSCOPE project.

During the Tuesday evening poster session, Kauppi presented his research in a theme session that focused on accounting for climate change in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). The poster highlighted emission reduction actions resulting from the green energy transition in maritime transport, which, however, have biodiversity impacts that are not yet adequately considered. Additionally, the integration of biodiversity mainstreaming into MSP was recommended. The session provided an excellent opportunity to discuss and network with other conference participants. Many researchers interested in the topic visited the poster, so there was hardly any time without discussion partners. The conversations were encouraging, as the topic was considered very important. Overall, the one-on-one discussions during the poster session were a highly positive experience, especially for a young researcher attending an international conference as a presenter for the first time.

Patrik Kauppi’s poster focused on the literature review of his doctoral dissertation.

Overall, nearly 800 researchers from around the world attended the ICES annual science conference, and we had the privilege of being part of this fantastic event. Following the presentations, engaging in discussions with various researchers, and taking advantage of networking opportunities enriched our understanding about the current state of the marine environment. As researchers at the KMRC, we can benefit from these insights by connecting them with our research topic regarding maritime transport.

Text by Patrik Kauppi and Emilia Luoma

New publication on management of harmful organisms in the Baltic Sea

A new research article based on the work carried out within the now concluded COMPLETE and COMPLETE PLUS project entity has been published in the scientific journal Marine Policy. The article, titled “Early warning system on harmful aquatic organisms at a regional sea scale: Components and mechanisms“, presents the design and implementation process of an early warning system developed during the projects and implemented in the Baltic Sea since 2022. The knowledge and insights gathered during the development work are expected to be beneficial in other sea areas as well.

The issue of non-indigenous species (NIS) is a significant global concern in the context of shipping. Part of the species transported to new locations via ships’ ballast waters and biofouling can threaten biodiversity, disrupt ecosystems, and lead to considerable economic losses. The Baltic Sea, due to its brackish water, naturally low biodiversity, and lively ship traffic, is particularly vulnerable to NIS introductions. Therefore, effectively preventing the introductions and spreading of such harmful organisms in the Baltic Sea is critical.

Led by the Kotka Maritime Research Centre, the COMPLETE project entity was highly impactful, producing numerous scientific publications, policy recommendations, and practical tools for stakeholders for improving ballast water and biofouling management in the Baltic Sea region. The results have contributed to international efforts, influencing work under both HELCOM (the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The project’s recommendations are helping to shape policies aimed at preventing the spread of invasive species through biofouling and ballast water management.

Text: Annukka Lehikoinen

Stakeholders’ perspectives on the sustainable development of marinas in the Gulf of Finland

A research article on the sustainable development of marinas, initiated in the 30MILES project coordinated by Kotka Maritime Research Association and funded by the Interreg Central Baltic Program and the Regional Council of Southwest Finland, was finalized in the Gyroscope project funded by the Research Council of Finland. The article has now been published in the Ocean & Coastal Management journal and has open access. In addition to researchers from the Kotka Maritime Research Association, the article’s authors include researchers from the University of Helsinki and the Finnish Environment Institute.

The starting point for the article was the assumption that making visible the different perspectives various stakeholders have on sustainable marina and on the actions needed to achieve it, can aid reaching a shared understanding and thus support the sustainable development of marinas. Individual boaters and marina operators were interviewed on how they define sustainable development and its goals within the marina context. Further, graphical, conceptual influence diagrams (CID) to visualize and structure the different ways individuals perceive the sustainability of marinas were constructed. The CID’s consist of the key variables and their causal interactions.

Based on the results of the article, the CID is a useful tool for analyzing and comparing stakeholders’ perceptions of sustainability. The method helps to identify the key variables and their potential conflicts. Furthermore, the article indicates that linguistic differences in terms of different concepts, for example, can cause misunderstandings between different people. Therefore, cooperation and co-learning among various stakeholders are necessary to create shared understanding. In addition, the three-pillar sustainability model can help interviewees widen their understanding about sustainability. Hence, we recommend its use when working with stakeholders in sustainability-related issues. Finally, the article proposes management implications that can support the sustainable development of both marinas and boating.

Text: Emilia Luoma

Thesis: Towards enhanced safety in the age of autonomous shipping

Meriam Chaal, a member of the Kotka Maritime Research Centre’s research community, will defend her doctoral thesis on 11 January 2024 at Aalto University, in the field of marine technology. The opponent will be Professor Gerasimos Theotokatos, Director of the Maritime Safety Research Centre at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.

The thesis, titled “Advancing Safety in Autonomous Shipping Through Modern Hazard Analysis Methods: A System-Theoretic Approach”, consists of three scientific articles and a summary section.

Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) refer to vessels that rely on autonomous technologies for navigation, control, and operation. They utilize advanced sensors and communication technologies as well as machine learning and computer vision algorithms to perform various ship functions.

Autonomous vessels are expected to enhance maritime safety, ship energy efficiency, and the effectiveness of the logistics chain. “Autonomous ship systems are likely to play an increasingly important role in future shipping”, Meriam Chaal says. “The ongoing transition, however, introduces new safety challenges that necessitate rigorous risk assessment and innovative safety frameworks”, she continues.

In her thesis, Chaal first explores the historical development of risk, safety, and reliability considerations in autonomous shipping. Then, integrating a qualitative systemic hazard analysis technique (Systems Theoretic Process Analysis) with a quantitative systems and decision analysis method (Bayesian Network), she proposes and demonstrates a novel approach for conducting risk assessments of autonomous ship systems. The proposed approach is compatible with the most used maritime risk and safety assessment procedures. It supports identification of the unique risks and knowledge needs associated with autonomous navigation systems and enables evaluation and prioritization of alternative risk control measures.

“My thesis serves as a technical compass guiding the maritime industry towards enhanced safety in the age of autonomous shipping,” Meriam Chaal summarizes and continues: “As autonomy is transforming the maritime industry, the thesis contributes to setting up the foundations for standardized systems safety engineering for autonomous ships.”

Ms Chaal has conducted her thesis work as part of the Research Group on Safe and Efficient Marine and Ship Systems, led by Assistant Professor Osiris Valdez Banda, who also holds one of the Merikotka (KMRC) professorships.

The thesis summary can be downloaded from the Aaltodoc publication archive.

 

Written by: Annukka Lehikoinen