In each transport mode, collisions between vehicles are one of the major operational risks. In maritime traffic collisions and groundings is the category with the highest frequency of all accidents. Although new navigational equipment, often combined with enhanced computer-based systems, is installed on ships’ bridges, the number of collisions is still at a high level. The equivalent of ship collisions in air traffic is the mid-air collision. Compared to the maritime accident rate, mid-air collisions are very rare. In this paper we investigate the onboard collision avoidance process by focusing on technical support systems with implemented alerts to support the human operator. Empirical field studies have been undertaken to analyse the situation regarding the occurrence and handling of alerts onboard seagoing vessels. Especially with respect to collision avoidance alarms, the situation was found to be unsatisfactory. The algorithms in use are based on fixed static limit values and little selected information is used although new systems provide more and enhanced situation-specific data. A comparative study of the traffic-alert and collision avoidance system used by air traffic is made to identify potentials for synergies to improve maritime operational risk management. As an innovative approach, the development of a concept to adapt alarm thresholds automatically by using enhanced fast-time simulation techniques is introduced and discussed.

Emergency response, crew resource, and crisis management are important aspects of maritime education and training (MET). The authors of this article approach these aspects, utilizing enhanced simulation-based team training. The authors argue that an effective way to gain experience and achieve corresponding skills are practice runs on specially designed simulators that realistically represent complex conditions on-board vessels, following emergency alerts. The article introduces the concept of a safety and security training simulator and describes the research work related to the implementation of a learning objective-oriented development of simulation training scenarios and the pedagogic value added by simulation to MET. Results of a simulation case study are presented.

The scope of this paper is implementation issues of the e-Navigation concept of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). IMO has adopted the e-Navigation strategic implementation plan (SIP) in 2014. This plan, i.a., bases on estimating the effect of e-Navigation applications on reducing navigational accidents, including collisions and groundings of ships falling under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) by approximately 65 per cent. However, IMO Member States are responsible for safety of navigation and efficient vessel traffic at international but also on national levels. Regarding the introduction of new concepts and innovative systems into vessel traffic there is a need to comprehensively assess potential effects not only for SOLAS ships but also for non-SOLAS ships. This paper aims at a more comprehensive and theoretically sounded estimation of e-Navigation potentials by investigating and applying IMO's methodology for quantification of those effects also to the implementation of e-Navigation solutions to ships not falling under the SOLAS convention (non-SOLAS ships). The authors carried out a case study using the SMART-Navigation concept of Korea as model case for impact assessment. For the mentioned purpose, this paper identifies main tool kits of IMO e-Navigation, proposes and applies a set of formulas to comprehensively assess and quantify effects of new functions or services based on IMO's methodological approaches. From gained results authors suggest investigations not only taking into account expert opinions but also simulation trials to identify factors and coefficients for thorough calculations. From the results the authors conclude and recommend to extend the impact assessment of e-Navigation also to vessel traffic involving non-SOLAS ships as a general and global recommendation to coastal states. Further, results are provided as a potential model case for IMO Member States’ reference for their state-specific individual situation and conditions.

Several risk management frameworks have been introduced in the literature for maritime Pollution Preparedness and Response (PPR). However, in light of the actual needs of the competent authorities, there is still a lack of framework that is established on a sound risk conceptual basis, addresses the different risk management decision-making contexts of organizations, and provides tools for various risk management questions of this field. To alleviate the limits of existing approaches, this paper introduces a new risk management framework for this purpose, which was developed in cooperation with the competent authorities and other maritime experts. The framework adopts the risk-informed decision-making strategy and includes three aligned components. The first component provides a unified theoretical risk concept to the framework through an interpretation of the Society for Risk Analysis risk approach. The second consists of four ISO 31000:2018 standard based processes focused on different risk management decision-making contexts of the PPR organizations. The third comprises a set of practical risk assessment tools to generate the needed information. A case study provides an example of the functionality of this framework with integrated data from the northern Baltic Sea. To conclude, a risk concept is provided for the PPR authorities and their stakeholders as well as processes for managing the risk and tools for its assessment.

Safe ship handling in every situation and under all prevailing circumstances of ship status and the environment is a core element contributing to the safety of the maritime transportation system. Especially in case of emergencies, there is a need for quick, accurate and reliable information to manoeuvre a ship safely. This paper focusses on investigations into enhanced response to maritime emergencies by means of onboard manoeuvring support. The research and discussions are done exemplarily for person overboard (PoB) accidents. PoB is a typical situation for application of manoeuvring assistance and decision support, e.g. in order to return quickly to the position of the accident. Based on the analysis of selected accident case studies and existing solutions representing the technical state-of-the-art, shortcomings will be identified and discussed, and a potential approach for advanced manoeuvring support in the context of e-Navigation-based requirements will be introduced and discussed.