Key research themes
1. How can maritime security be comprehensively defined and operationalized to address diverse threats and policy challenges?
This research theme addresses the complexity and ambiguity in defining maritime security, exploring theoretical frameworks and practical approaches to identify, prioritize, and manage maritime threats ranging from piracy to cyber-attacks. It matters because maritime security underpins the safety, stability, and economic vitality of global trade and coastal infrastructures, yet lacks a universally accepted definition, creating challenges in policy coordination and implementation.
2. What are the operational and organizational challenges affecting the efficiency and management of maritime transport and shipping companies?
This theme focuses on the organizational structures, operational inefficiencies, and management practices within maritime transport, shipping companies, and ports, with a view toward enhancing performance, reducing delays, and adapting to a dynamic global economy. It is crucial since maritime transport forms the backbone of international trade, and improving management directly impacts economic competitiveness and sustainability.
3. How is sustainability being integrated into maritime management, including environmental, social, and technological dimensions?
This research area investigates the incorporation of sustainability principles into maritime management, focusing on reducing environmental impacts, enhancing seafarers' welfare, and leveraging technological innovations towards decarbonization and efficient resource use. Its importance lies in the maritime industry's significant ecological footprint and the growing regulatory and societal demand for sustainable practices balancing economic, environmental, and social objectives.