Development of a novel integrated value engineering and risk assessment (VENRA) framework for shipyard performance measurement

The shipyard is a key facility determining the quality and performance of ships in the shipbuilding industry. A well-designed ship requires skilled shipbuilders who can deliver on parameters such as quality, timeline, budget, and environmental considerations. Evaluating shipyard performance, including shipbuilding, ship repair, and ship conversion, is crucial for strategic advancement. This thesis proposes a new performance measurement framework, the integrated Value Engineering and Risk Assessment (VENRA), to enhance shipyard performance. The framework introduces a conceptual and multi-dimensional criteria framework that considers criteria prioritisation and the evaluated shipyard conditions score. It suggests integrating five criteria groups, namely Technical, Business, External, Personnel Safety, and Environment, which include a number of criteria and sub-criteria. These criteria are intended to be used for shipyard assessment and identifying areas for improvement. In order to achieve the above framework, fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL)-Weighting Evaluation Technique (WET) and fuzzy DEMATEL-Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods are employed. These methodologies assess the VENRA criteria by analysing interrelationships and assigning weight rankings to criteria and sub-criteria. An objective grading system is developed with fuzzy multi-attribute group decision-making (FMAGDM) approach to evaluate the shipyard’s condition score based on the VENRA criteria framework. By integrating criteria analysis and the shipyard score, a comprehensive analysis is conducted to determine the prioritisation of criteria, considering causal relationships, weight rankings, and the shipyard’s assessment score. The proposed framework has been applied and tested in case studies involving three different shipyards: a small shipyard specialising in aluminium ship production, a medium-sized shipyard focused on merchant ship production and a shipyard specialising in cruise ship production. The outcomes of this study include identifying the most influential criteria and sub-criteria, analysing shipyard performance measurements, prioritising enhancement tasks, and providing specific recommendations to improve shipyard performance.The shipyard is a key facility determining the quality and performance of ships in the shipbuilding industry. A well-designed ship requires skilled shipbuilders who can deliver on parameters such as quality, timeline, budget, and environmental considerations. Evaluating shipyard performance, including shipbuilding, ship repair, and ship conversion, is crucial for strategic advancement. This thesis proposes a new performance measurement framework, the integrated Value Engineering and Risk Assessment (VENRA), to enhance shipyard performance. The framework introduces a conceptual and multi-dimensional criteria framework that considers criteria prioritisation and the evaluated shipyard conditions score. It suggests integrating five criteria groups, namely Technical, Business, External, Personnel Safety, and Environment, which include a number of criteria and sub-criteria. These criteria are intended to be used for shipyard assessment and identifying areas for improvement. In order to achieve the above framework, fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL)-Weighting Evaluation Technique (WET) and fuzzy DEMATEL-Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods are employed. These methodologies assess the VENRA criteria by analysing interrelationships and assigning weight rankings to criteria and sub-criteria. An objective grading system is developed with fuzzy multi-attribute group decision-making (FMAGDM) approach to evaluate the shipyard’s condition score based on the VENRA criteria framework. By integrating criteria analysis and the shipyard score, a comprehensive analysis is conducted to determine the prioritisation of criteria, considering causal relationships, weight rankings, and the shipyard’s assessment score. The proposed framework has been applied and tested in case studies involving three different shipyards: a small shipyard specialising in aluminium ship production, a medium-sized shipyard focused on merchant ship production and a shipyard specialising in cruise ship production. The outcomes of this study include identifying the most influential criteria and sub-criteria, analysing shipyard performance measurements, prioritising enhancement tasks, and providing specific recommendations to improve shipyard performance

Preventing Injuries and Fatalities in Inherently Dangerous Work Environments

Shipyard safety programs have uncertainty and vulnerability. Shipyard program managers are concerned with safety to mitigate negative business system performance because of unplanned safety events. Grounded in the contingency theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the strategies managers use to mitigate liability claims associated with the high numbers of injuries and fatalities in dangerous work environments. The participants were three program manager representatives in the American Southwest who use successful strategies to reduce injuries and fatalities in the shipyard industry. The data were collected using semistructured interviews, public documents and analyzed using a six-step thematic process from which the following three themes emerged: (a) safety incentives, training, and policies; (b) safety action, procedures, and innovation; and (c) safety production, protocol, significance, monitoring, assessments, and controls. A key recommendation is for managers to reinforce and reward staff efforts directed to addressing safety issues rather than waiting for accidents to occur and then punishing those they blame for the mistakes that occurred. The implications for positive social change include the potential for reducing ship repair safety incidents and risk, which could lead to lower liability claims, safe workplace dynamics, fewer injuries, increased business transparency, and, most of all, fewer fatalities

Robotic welding techniques in marine structures and production processes : a systematic literature review

Robotic welding has garnered significant attention in the maritime industry for its potential to enhance marine structure quality and optimize production processes. This systematic literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research in robotic welding for marine applications, encompassing marine structures and production processes, following the PRISMA statement and guidelines. The review encompasses various facets, including welding techniques, processed materials, types of robotic welding, technological advancements, potential advantages, and challenges encountered when implementing robotic welding systems in the maritime sector. The results spotlight the pivotal role of gas metal arc welding (GMAW) in propelling robotic welding technology forward, while wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has experienced a notable surge in popularity, signifying its potential to catalyze significant changes in maritime manufacturing processes. Notably, the predominant use of robotic welding centers on carbon steel materials. However, ongoing advancements indicate a growing diversification, with the incorporation of advanced materials like high-strength alloys on the horizon. Additionally, the utilization of 6-axis robot welding in conjunction with fully autonomous systems has emerged as a versatile and potent instrument that has revolutionized welding methodologies across various maritime research domains. Robotic welding provides a number of advantages, such as increased productivity, higher quality, adherence to industry standards, adaptation to confined and dangerous locations, and facilitation of innovative construction techniques. Nevertheless, adoption of this cutting-edge technology is not without challenges. By synthesizing the results from several investigations, this research study offers useful insights into the current knowledge gaps, emerging trends, and future prospects for the growth of robotic welding in maritime applications

Future Greener Seaports:A Review of New Infrastructure, Challenges, and Energy Efficiency Measures

Recently, the application of renewable energy sources (RESs) for power distribution systems is growing immensely. This advancement brings several advantages, such as energy sustainability and reliability, easier maintenance, cost-effective energy sources, and ecofriendly. The application of RESs in maritime systems such as port microgrids massively improves energy efficiency and reduces the utilization of fossil fuels, which is a serious threat to the environment. Accordingly, ports are receiving several initiatives to improve their energy efficiency by deploying different types of RESs based on the power electronic converters. This paper conducts a systematic review to provide cutting-edge state-of-the-art on the modern electrification and infrastructure of seaports taking into account some challenges such as the environmental aspects, energy efficiency enhancement, renewable energy integration, and legislative and regulatory requirements. Moreover, the technological methods, including electrifications, digitalization, onshore power supply applications, and energy storage systems of ports, are addressed. Furthermore, details of some operational strategies such as energy-aware operations and peak-shaving are delivered. Besides, the infrastructure scheme to enhance the energy efficiency of modern ports, including port microgrids and seaport smart microgrids are delivered. Finally, the applications of nascent technologies in seaports are presented

The effect of increasing the thickness of the ship’s structural members on the Generalised Life Cycle Maintenance Cost (GLCMC)

In the context of the EU funded IMPROVE project, the research work of a Generalised Life Cycle Maintenance Cost (GLCMC) was initiated in order to investigate the influence of a weight oriented ship structural design on its production and operational characteristics. Following this, an increase in the structural scantlings of the ship was examined following the IACS Common Structural Rules (CSR) for double hull oil tankers. A case study for a Chemical tanker is shown considering an addition in its bottom plate thickness and three different cases of mean annual corrosion rates applied. A comparison regarding the “Gross gains”, “Gross expenses” and “Net gains” for this ship is also presented. Moreover, an evaluation of the extra cost for the additional steel weight used is shown together with the outcome on the repair-free operation of the ship for different additional plate thickness. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is carried out for the most likely case (“Case 2”) and the variation of different amount of days spent in the ship repair yard

Organizational Change in Digital Servitization

Master's thesis Industrial Economics and Technology Management IND590 - University of Agder 2018Recent changes in markets where customers are demanding more customisation, flexibility, freedom of choice, and instant response; manufacturers and other organizations seek to become more service-oriented and customer-centric for the purpose of recognising and realising product-service offerings, which will enable them to meet the needs of customers with greater capabilities. The process of becoming more service-oriented and customer-centric have been termed servitization, where recent advancements in digital technologies and the rise of Internet-of-Things have lead researchers to acknowledge the importance of embedding technology in product-service systems. This acknowledgement has brought the concept of digital servitization to life where more emphasis on digital technology is present. Digital servitization was first introduced in 2015 and has therefore just recently gained the attention of researchers; where the process of digital servitization, what digital technologies utilised in this regard, and how they are utilised, are yet to be explored. This study seeks to explore how organizations change when implementing a digital servitization strategy, and what digital technologies could be deployed to aid this process and enhance future product-service offerings. The following research is based on an abductive approach which implies that both deductive and inductive approaches are utilised, with more emphasis on the latter. It has been conducted with the qualitative method of multiple case-study where five manufacturers and two IT consultant agencies were interviewed. My findings indicate that these companies are increasing their focus on leveraging data. They seek to establish more sources for gathering data both internally and externally by emphasising a digital ecosystem; and engage in collaborative partnerships with other players in this ecosystem to accomplish greater capabilities in the leverage of data. A culture of sharing and receiving data will have to be mutual for all collaborators. Processes are to be as efficient as possible for allowing data to be transmitted and managed in real-time, where a strong digital infrastructure must be present for this to be possible. By establishing a single digital system, or platform which will consist of all the data, could allow for more complex digital services to be identified and developed; where digital technologies such as blockchains, digital twins, EHF, AI, IoT, AR, and VR are elements that could improve their capability in recognising and realising these services. The importance of a new way of thinking are highlighted due to opportunities in digital technologies being limited only by imagination. The findings in this study could help organizations to better implement a digital servitization strategy

Proposal of the future maritime education and training for maritime officers of Pakistan

This paper is specifically directed towards the maritime education and training of Pakistan. The objectives of this paper are explained in the following paragraphs. .1 In countries where shipping activities are not sizable the maritime institutions have to justify their survival. There are questions asked about the cost effectiveness of the maritime educational institutions. There is an acute need to publicise the importance of such education and training. With reasons for having it in specialised institutions. .2 The present slump in shipping has rendered many useful technical personnel (seafarers) jobless. One of the major reasons is the non-equivalence of maritime educational systems with the regular national academic educational systems. It is of paramount importance to eliminate this reason and so ease the pressures on the shipping industry and its personnel. Doing this will help the general national policies of rooting out the social evils of unemployment. .3 we are passing through the end of a technological era. This fact is to be taken seriously. a review of the entire maritime education and training system is the need of the time. In this paper I have tried to provide one possible way of solving these problems. Particularly in the context of Pakistani environmen

The Challenges of Technology and Economic Catch-up in Emerging Economies

This book synthesizes and interprets existing knowledge on technology upgrading failures as well as lessons from successes and failures in order to better understand the challenges of technology upgrading in emerging economies. The objective is to bring together in one volume diverse evidence regarding three major dimensions of technology upgrading: paths of technology upgrading, structural changes in the nature of technology upgrading, and the issues of technology transfer and technology upgrading. The knowledge of these three dimensions is being synthesized at the firm, sector, and macro levels across different countries and world macro-regions. Compared to the old and new challenges and uncertainties facing emerging economies, our understanding of the technology upgrading is sparse, unsystematic, and scattered. While our understanding of these issues from the 1980s and 1990s is relatively more systematized, the changes that took place during the globalization and proliferation of GVCs, the effects of the post-2008 events, and the effects of the current COVID-19 and geopolitical struggles on technology upgrading have not been explored and compared synthetically. Moreover, the recent growth slowdown in many emerging economies, often known as a middle-income trap, has reinforced the importance of understanding the technology upgrading challenges of catching-up economies. We believe that the time is ripe for “taking stock of the area” in order to systematize and evaluate the existing knowledge on processes of technology upgrading of emerging economies at the firm, sector, and international levels and to make further inroads in research on this issue. This volume aims to significantly contribute towards this end