This paper examines the potential contribution of value-adding services (VAS) to port logistics strategy development in order to enhance competitiveness in the face of increasing competition between ports. Based on an empirical study taking the critical-realist approach of mixed methods' research and using data from multiple case-study ports in both developed and developing countries, the relev...

BACKGROUND The hazardous occupation of seafaring brings many unique medical challenges. Despite its international nature, maritime medicine does not typically form a part of undergraduate medical studies. A unique and innovative, optional student-selected module (SSM) 'maritime medicine' was offered to medical students. A key objective was to develop students' attitudes to maritime medicine and...

The economic and social impact of the waterborne sectors in Europe cannot be overstated, employing directly more than 3 million people and generating a turnover of about €250 billion representing more than 1% of the EU’s GDP. In order to maintain its leadership and competitiveness, Europe must take advantage of new market opportunities and address these challenges by means of focused research, ...

Criminal activities at sea have been a reality for past years. In such activities, predominantly small maritime vessels are used, which are difficult to detect. Until now, border agencies observe and protect the critical maritime areas by ships, planes or helicopters. Therefore, surveillance is expensive and full coverage is difficult to obtain. To improve this situation, the European research ...

The purpose of this paper is to point out some of the main characteristics and critical factors for success that can substantiate the proposal of a differentiation framework for maritime clusters. We conduct a benchmarking analysis intended to distinguish the most relevant aspects which can or should be observed in these types of clusters, applied to the following countries: Spain (Basque Count...

The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical framework for Maritime Informatics from a serviceoriented ecosystem view. We propose to go beyond the traditional service provider-user dyad view to provide a richer understanding of Maritime Informatics using a case study. Relying upon the ServiceDominant (S-D) logic framework, this paper presents how this service-oriented ecosystem view he...

In Japan, the accident rate for seamen is 5 times higher than that for all other industries. Many maritime work accidents are related to the poor ergonomic conditions of the working environment. It is particularly important to examine seamen safety in terms of vessel type and seamen age, as these factors are related to various sorts of accidents. In this paper, maritime work accidents were anal...

The relevant analysis from BIMCO, IMO and other authorities in recent years have indicated increasing difficulties in recruiting high quality seafarers, especially senior officers. In fact, the number may be less than the statistics already obtained, due to the rapid development of maritime technologies, faster vessels, higher safety standards and pollution prevention requirements, and tighter ...

Intra-annual density fluctuations (IADFs) are anatomical features formed in response to changes in the environmental conditions within the growing season. These anatomical features are commonly observed in Mediterranean pines, being more frequent in younger and wider tree rings. However, the process behind IADF formation is still unknown. Weekly monitoring of cambial activity and wood formation...