Rapid technological progress in the field of autonomous surface ships (MASS) has outpaced international regulations concerning the safety of their operation and various research centers and classification societies, which independently conduct work on requirements of MASS safety. The implementation of “remote” risk management during MASS voyages, with the support of remote operations center (ROC) operators, is generally recognized as key to safety in MASS operations. This paper presents issues related to the operation of MASS in the context of long-distance voyage planning, taking into account the risk management process. The factors initiating hazards in MASS operation are described with the background of current requirements for the crewed ships. The voyage plan and route selection are presented using the example of a bulk carrier sailing from Gdynia to Miami in the winter season. A MASS casualty accident probability model related to the hazards occurring at individual stages of the ship’s voyage, based on the Poisson distribution, is proposed.

International trade has skyrocketed in recent decades, with global trade expected to grow by 3.5 between 2017 and 2050. There have been diverse scholarships in the study of inland nodes to enhance seaport-inland connectivity and efficient global supply chain. A dry port is described as the most common inland node. However, research on dry ports is mostly lacking in developing nations like Nigeria, with developed economies dominating the space. We used mixed methods, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches for data collection, analysis, and interpretation to evaluate seaport efficiency and competitiveness indicators. A 5-point Likert scale structured questionnaire was administered to 478 respondents (the sample size), including logistics companies, importers, distributors, and marketers. A total of 383 respondents completed and returned their questionnaires. The study shows that existing seaports lack fully effective and functional conditions to support growing trade demands. Secondly, the study showed high interest in dry ports as complementary facilities that enhance logistical efficiency and regional competitiveness. Thirdly, space inadequacy, congestion, and challenges in handling high cargo volumes drive dry port development. Fourthly, dry port development can enhance seaport-inland transportation networks, improve seaport-inland access, provide adequate space for containerized cargo, expand seaport facilities to the hinterland, extend customer and value-added services inland, improve seaport flexibility and reliability, reduce inland distribution costs, and increase ship call frequency in Nigeria, particularly the southeast zone. These findings can shape regulatory and policy landscapes for implementing dry ports in other developing jurisdictions to expand research and data limitations on dry port operations in developing nations. We recommend replicating this study in other data-constrained locations and land-locked areas to promote seaport efficiency and competitiveness.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the global economy and disrupted daily life across many regions of the world. Restrictions imposed at the time, such as the closure of national borders and restrictions on mobility, led to unprecedented challenges for the transportation sector and related tourism services compared with any prior crisis. This disruption also affected maritime passenger transport in Poland. This article aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on passenger traffic in Polish seaports and to develop mathematical models that could support management in the event of future epidemic threats. Three different models are proposed, which showed that the epidemic crisis resulted in a significant decline in passenger traffic at Polish seaports. The most accurate proved to be the SARIMA model. The Holt-Winters model also demonstrated high fitting and predictive performance. In turn, the STL model offered intriguing insights with its time series decomposition, enabling a detailed analysis of individual components. A comparative analysis of the proposed models confirms their usefulness in forecasting passenger traffic in seaports in the face of disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. These models can be an effective decision-support tool, helping to reduce the negative effects of future epidemic threats.

Seakeeping capabilities represent a crucial aspect of marine hydrodynamics research. Calculating the movements, amplitudes, and accelerations of the ships offers valuable support for assessing and forecasting their safety and security parameters while the ships are in use. While experimental data on ship movements in consistent wave patterns are considered reliable, they also come with high impacting costs. This research is particularly designed to estimate the seakeeping performance by assessing the hydrodynamic response of a 192-meter-long container ship vessel in both regular and irregular waves. The present computational study is focused on predicting the six degrees of freedom responses for a ship at zero speed for different heading angles. Using the panel method within Maxsurf Motions software, RAOs for all degrees of freedom are obtained. In irregular sea simulations, the ITTC spectrum is employed.

The marine insurance contract primarily aims at providing security for the performance of the commercial activity of transporting goods. This contract has a special nature that aims to indemnify the insured against losses to the marine adventure. Marine insurance contract disputes, like several other types of disputes, are determined by various resolution procedures, either in the courts or through alternative methods such as arbitration, negotiation, and mediation. This characteristic influences the choice of the substantive and procedural rules that will apply to resolve possible conflicts between the parties. If disputes do arise, peaceful and quick resolution is in the interest of everyone involved. Commercial parties usually insert in marine insurance contracts the choice of court and applicable law clauses that determine a timely resolution of disputes. The choice of dispute resolution method is therefore critical. In this paper, we discuss modern, quick, and effective resolutions to ensure that the disputes arising from a marine insurance contract are resolved at the lowest cost. We also analyze several cases.

This article addresses the optimal choice of transport mode for a specific transport task. Knowing each branch’s limitations, strengths, and weaknesses facilitates decision-making when identifying them for use in a given situation. This is of particular importance when transporting oversized loads and heavy pieces. Therefore, this article aims to propose a new model of the game with nature based on SWOT analyses for transport systems selection for oversized and heavy loads. Firstly, for this solution, it is necessary to define measures for each of the four elements of a SWOT analysis (i.e., strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats). Secondly, these four elements are the states of nature in a defined game with nature. Here, the transport mode builds the scenarios that are possible to select. The SWOT analysis determines the strategic position, market attractiveness (MA), and market position (MP) of transport modes. Next, applying very well-known decision-making criteria in the theory of games with nature makes it possible to create appropriate decision-making models for transport mode selection. The application of the method is shown in the example of selecting the most competitive modes of transport for oversized loads.

Composite materials based on aluminum alloys are widely used in the automotive, aviation, and shipbuilding industries. The presence of the ceramic reinforcing phase significantly changes the mechanical properties of aluminum alloys. By appropriate selection of the components that make up the composite materials, it is possible to create mechanical properties that are not possible with unreinforced alloys. Structural elements made of these types of materials often require joining in welding processes. This article presents a general description of methods of joining composites based on aluminum alloys reinforced with ceramic particles, which have been divided into three groups: fusion welding method, solid state welding, and different methods. The individual methods highlighted how the presence of a reinforcing phase affects the welding process. Difficulties mainly arise from the disintegration of the ceramic phase by the concentrated heat source during welding processes, the formation of harmful surface products, and the lack of wettability of the ceramic particles through the metal matrix. The joints obtained vary in terms of structure, ceramic particle distribution, and mechanical properties with respect to the values characterizing the native material. From an analysis of the individual methods, it appears that solid-phase methods have the smallest effect on the degradation of ceramic particles, but have limitations in terms of the shape and size of the materials to be joined. In fusion welding methods, the degradation of the reinforcement phase by the concentrate heat source is greatest. To a certain extent, this can be compensated for by the choice of an additive material, which consists of elements that improve the wettability of the reinforcement phase through the metal matrix and form strengthening separations.

Rapeseed meal (RSM), mainly used as a protein-rich component of animal feed, is susceptible to quality degradation under the influence of high relative humidity and ambient air temperature. The aim of this study was to present empirical data and water vapour sorption isotherms for rapeseed meal at various ambient air conditions. The equilibrium moisture contents (EMCs) of RSM at two temperature levels (25 °C/40 °C), a wide range of water activities (0.3‒0.9) and two sorption pathways (adsorption /desorption) were determined, using a static gravimetric method. Mathematical equations were applied to analyse the experimental data, of which the modified GAB and modified Halsey were found to be the best fitting models, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.983 to 0.998. It was observed that the EMC of RSM decreased with increasing temperature, but this effect was not statistically significant at water activities above 0.6. The hysteresis was statistically significant in the region of water activities from 0.3 to 0.6, but the greatest differences between moisture bound by attachment and evaporation mechanisms were revealed at the lower values of this range. The area of the hysteresis loop was smaller for the isotherms plotted at higher temperature. It was concluded that a moisture content up to 10.5% would be appropriate for short-term handling of RSM during trading, whereas for long-term storage at temperatures of 20 °C or below, a moisture content between 5.5% and 8.5% wet basis should be maintained. The results presented in this study may be applicable to the design of technological and storage parameters, necessary to ensure the microbiological and chemical stability of RSM during handling in international trade.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the introduction of public health measures, contributing to changes in urban, metropolitan, and intercity mobility. Previous studies indicate that, during the spread of the pandemic, changes were observed in the intensity of road traffic, road incidents, and changes in the purpose, method, and number of trips by society. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions implemented related to it, including restrictions related to the movement of people, has been analyzed in many articles. However, the topic is still relevant due to the fact that many transport operators are still struggling with the effects of the pandemic and it is an important aspect in the era of promoting sustainable forms of movement in cities. The primary objective of this article is to assess the public perception of the causes and state of safety during the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The specific objectives include identifying factors affecting the level of safety in road traffic for individual users and their hierarchy. In the adopted research methodology, the use of a survey questionnaire enables the identification of factors influencing the perception of dangerous situations in road traffic by their participants. The study was conducted in Szczecin (a city located in the northwestern part of Poland) and neighboring communes. The results of this study can be used by decision-makers and people involved in ensuring road safety to develop pragmatic and effective preventive measures to ensure the safety of road users.

One of the challenges in today’s business environment is adequate human resources management while implementing new technologies in the work process. The implementation of changes does not always go smoothly. This study aims to test whether gaining more knowledge about new technologies in logistics by employees can lead them to change their attitude toward using such solutions in their workplace. An experimental method is used, which is applied in a natural working environment. The experiment introduced a change in the form of increased employees’ knowledge resources about selected technologies. The employees gained new knowledge when training on this topic. To assess whether the new knowledge contributed to a change in employees’ attitudes, it is necessary to test their attitudes toward new technologies before and after the training. The results confirmed that the training had a positive effect, and the employees are more convinced that automation is the right direction for the further development of the company. The experiment can, therefore, be considered successful. Support for automation increased among the group of participants despite greater awareness that it may mean the need for them to acquire new skills. Three types of employee attitudes toward new technologies are identified – supportive, neutral, and inhibitory. For each of them, managerial implications are presented.

This paper examines the current state and prospects of wind energy development in Poland, focusing on both onshore and offshore projects. The analysis highlights key regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, and the environmental benefits of integrating wind energy into the Polish energy mix. Legal and administrative barriers that affect the timeliness of project implementation and investment attractiveness are described. Additionally, the paper presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing the carbon footprint of an industrial process powered by wind energy versus energy from Poland’s conventional mix. The findings emphasize the significant potential of wind energy when contributing to Poland’s energy transition, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting sustainable industrial practices. The results provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of wind energy in achieving national and EU climate goals while identifying critical areas for policy and infrastructure improvements.

The manufacturing sector plays a pivotal role in global economic growth and improving living standards. However, it faces significant challenges related to environmental degradation and resource depletion due to traditional manufacturing processes. This paper aims to explore the optimization of production processes within the context of sustainable development, focusing on energy intensity, labor intensity, and ergonomics. Through a systematic literature review, the author analyzes various multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods applicable to manufacturing, assessing their effectiveness in addressing sustainability challenges. This research reveals that the MCDM approaches can effectively balance the interrelated aspects of energy consumption, labor management, and ergonomic design, leading to enhanced production efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The author hypothesizes that the integration of the MCDM methods will result in improved decision-making processes that foster sustainability in the manufacturing industry. The findings of this study contribute to the ongoing discourse on sustainable manufacturing practices and provide a foundational framework for future research in this area.

This work is devoted to determining the effect of mesh density and mesh type on cavitation cloud volume generated during the flow of water through the cavitation tunnel. The numerical analysis was carried out on a water model based on a cavitation tunnel located at the Institute of Water Problems of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia, used to test the resistance of construction materials to cavitation erosion. A numerical analysis is performed for four different types of grids: polyhedra, poly-hexcore, hexcore, and tetrahedral. These grids have five different maximum cell sizes: 0.0025, 0.0020, 0.0015, 0.0010, and 0.0005 m. A numerical analysis is performed using commercial CFD software ‒ i.e., Ansys Fluent 2023 R1. The Schnerr and Sauer cavitation model and the k-omega viscous model for shear stress transport (SST) are used. This paper analyzes the qualitative parameters of the quality of the grid, distribution of velocity, pressure, average cell volume, and volume of cavitation cloud consisting of 90% volume vapor fraction. Based on the numerical analyses, it is shown that the basis for obtaining accurate results of the CFD simulations is not only the qualitative parameters of the grid but also its density.

The current stability assessment model within the context of weather criteria has remained unchanged since 2008. The loading of bulk carriers in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, due to its specific nature, requires a detailed assessment that includes the impact of irregular waving during loading operations. Based on short-term predictions of roll motion during bulk carrier loading simulation, a stability evaluation is conducted according to the standards outlined in the IS Code and by utilizing a modified weather criterion, where the author took into account variable wave height and wave period. As a result, it was found that non-compliance with the existing weather criterion under specific operational weather conditions is not observed. The modified weather criterion illustrates the range of waves in which the b/a ratio increases and decreases, thereby indicating unfavorable wave periods. The current model of the weather criterion (IS Code) for bulk carriers loaded in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone while in a dead ship condition is deemed sufficient.

This study investigates the effects of adding monofilament polypropylene fibers to concrete, focusing on its compressive and flexural strength. Results show that fiber doses up to 3.0 kg/m3 improve compressive strength by 10‒15% and flexural strength by 12‒20%. However, higher doses reduce mechanical properties due to uneven fiber distribution and lower mix workability. Using polypropylene fibers reduces the need for steel reinforcement, lowering the carbon footprint. This fiber-enhanced concrete is suitable for infrastructure applications, such as port quays, where durability and reduced maintenance are critical. Additionally, it offers cost benefits in projects without high dynamic load requirements.