Globally, deep-sea shipping is one of the most indispensable form of commercial transportation services. There are considerable repercussions affecting the shipping environment caused by the rise in deep-sea vessel operations. Shifting toward eco-responsible fuel alternatives might be a plausible option for mitigating these adverse effects on the environment. However, alternative fuel selection is a complex process that depends on shipping type, multiple stakeholders’ involvement, and numerous social, environmental, and economic criteria. The baseline of such decision-making involves firm-level decision-makers who must operate ships while maintaining profitability and while complying with regulatory legislation and sustainability dimension. Therefore, firm-level decision-maker perspectives might differ significantly from other industry stakeholders (i.e., government and classification society). Particular attention must be paid to the alternative fuel selection issue from the standpoint of the ship owner and shipping company management. The current research intends to use a multi-criteria analysis as a decision-support tool for the alternative fuel selection problem in deep-sea commercial shipping on the international waterway. The proposed technique considers environmental, technological, and economic factors and ensures an exclusive focus on stakeholders at the firm-level decision-making capacity. The priority ranking of the alternatives selection criteria is based on the technique for order performance by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS). Implementing this strategy considers the participation of firm-level stakeholders by analyzing each alternative’s criterion weights and performance concerning each criterion. The technique is applied to the case study of Singapore-based firms. The results demonstrated that the most important criteria with regard to an optimal alternative selection for shipping firm-level stakeholders are technological aspects, technology status, expenditures, ecosystem impact, and health-safety considerations. These results provide a foundation for decision-makers to comprehend the ship management’s priorities and interests in choosing alternative fuels. The conclusions of this analysis, the first of its kind in this field, can provide a solid foundation for strategic planning.

While the marine sector contributes significantly to the global economy, its environmental impact is a cause for apprehension due to growing concerns about ship emissions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set decarbonization strategies consistent with sustainable development goals. The impending legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from maritime shipping by at least half by 2050 and to zero by the end of the century. A growing body of research has focused on alternative marine fuel selection; hence, this bibliometric review is timely. We assess the global scientific research on alternative marine fuel for knowledge mapping based on the articles available on the Scopus database since 1973. A total of 749 publications associated with alternative marine fuel has been subjected to a range of bibliometric analyses to explore this research field quantitatively and qualitatively. The study utilized the R-studio bibliometrics package and VOSviewer bibliometric tools to generate the results. The field of study has a growth rate of 7.05%, having a significant contribution to knowledge from the USA, the United Kingdom, India, and China. Recent trends indicate that researchers are increasingly focused on alternative fuel oil choices. By analyzing commonly used keywords, it was possible to trace a multi-criteria decision analysis process that might be utilized to construct decision support systems for alternative maritime fuel selection. According to relevant articles, the research community has concentrated on the possibility of alternative fuels being utilized in place of traditional marine fuels to reduce emissions from the shipping sector from an environmental, technological, and economic standpoint. The current study offers an updated and comprehensive overview of research trends on alternative marine fuels. Researchers interested in data mapping work in this area can begin with this endeavor.

Risk management provides an effective method for ensuring safety and preventing accidents towards achieving port sustainability. This article describes a study of the implementation of a risk management framework for handling of cargo at ports. To achieve the study’s objectives, data was collected using a questionnaire and disseminated to port experts at three major ports in Malaysia. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software and calculated using risk matrix calculations. Based on the calculations, for port A and port B, 42% of risk falls under risk category II and 58% under risk category III. Meanwhile, for Port C, 31% under risk category II and 69% under risk category III. Risk reduction measures should be implemented within a defined period of time (12 months). Additional risk control measures were proposed accordingly. The novelty of the study was an improvement of risk management framework. The risk management framework was proposed with an introduction of risk frequency into risk rating calculation, risk criteria parameter for risk likelihood and risk severity, new risk matrix dimension and instruments to evaluate the existing control measure factor and new risk categories with five levels which provide more details and sustainable risk assessment method.

Natural and synthetic fibres are in high demand due to their superior properties. Natural fibres are less expensive and lighter as compared to synthetic fibres. Synthetic fibres have drawn much attention, especially for their outstanding properties, such as durability, and stability. The hybridisation between natural and synthetic fibres composite are considered as an alternative to improve the current properties of natural and synthetic fibres. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the physical and mechanical properties of pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) and Kevlar reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) hybrid composites. The PALF/Kevlar hybrid composites were fabricated by using hand layup method utilising unsaturated polyester as the matrix. These composites were laid up to various laminated configurations, such as [PKP]s, [PPK]s, [KPP]s, [KKP]s, [PPP]s and [KKK]s, whereby PALF denoted as P and Kevlar denoted as K. Next, they were cut into size and dimensions according to standards. Initially, the density of PALF/Kevlar reinforced unsaturated polyester were evaluated. The highest density result was obtained from [KKK]s, however, the density of hybrid composites was closely indistinguishable. Next, moisture absorption behaviour and its effects on the PALF/Kevlar reinforced unsaturated polyester were investigated. The water absorption studies showed that the hybridisation between all PALF and Kevlar specimens absorbed moisture drastically at the beginning of the moisture absorption test and the percentage of moisture uptake increased with the volume fraction of PALF in the samples. The tensile test indicated that all specimens exhibited nonlinear stress-strain behaviour and shown a pseudo-ductility behaviour. [KKP]s and [KPK]s hybrid composites showed the highest tensile strength and modulus. The flexural test showed that [KPK]s had the highest flexural strength of 164.0 MPa and [KKP]s had the highest flexural modulus of 12.6 GPa. In terms of the impact strength and resistance, [KKP]s outperformed the composite laminates. According to SEM scans, the hybrid composites demonstrated a stronger interfacial adhesion between the fibres and matrix than pure PALF composite.

The critical aircraft structure, being the load-bearing members, is a vital component for any aircraft. The effect of fatigue loading, operating conditions, and environmental degradation has caused the structural integrity of the airframe to be assessed for its airworthiness requirement. Using the fatigue design concept of Safe Life, the RMAF adopts the Aircraft Structure Integrity Program (ASIP) to monitor the structural integrity of its critical components. RMAF has produced the task card using the engineering analysis concept on the aircraft’s critical structure. Various Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) methods were used, and for this analysis, the Crack Growth Prediction method was used to determine the crack growth behavior and its ultimate failure point in case of any crack occurrences. Although there are six critical locations, the wing root is chosen since it has the highest possibility of fatigue failure. The analytical methods which were discussed are Crack Growth Analysis and Low Cycle Fatigue. For the numerical method, NX Nastran was used for the simulation of crack growth. The result from the crack growth analysis was validated with the numerical result. The conclusion is that, based on the fatigue life cycle, the wing root structure condition is not affected by severe damage, and its failure is approximately around 30 to 100 years for both the through hole and through side crack. Thus, its structural life can be extended. The research outcome will be on the extension of the structure life of the aircraft wing.

There have been a number of studies concerning the integrity of high-strength carbon steel pipe elbows weakened by local pipe wall thinning, the latter can be typically caused by flow accelerated erosion/corrosion. In particular, the focus of several recent studies was on low cycle fatigue behavior of damaged elbows, mainly, in relation to strength and integrity of piping systems of nuclear power plants subjected to extreme loading conditions, such as earthquake or shutdown. The current paper largely adopts the existing methodology, which was previously developed, and extends it to copper-nickel elbows, which are widely utilized in civil infrastructure in seismically active regions. FE (finite element) studies along with a full-scale testing program were conducted and the outcomes are summarized in this article. The overall conclusion is that the tested elbows with various severity of local wall thinning, which were artificially introduced at different locations, demonstrate a strong resistance against low cycle fatigue loading. In addition, elbows with wall thinning defects possess a significant safety margin against seismic loading. These research outcomes will contribute to the development of strength evaluation procedures and will help to develop more effective maintenance procedures for piping equipment utilized in civil infrastructure.