Assessment of Influence of Traffic Intensity Increase on Collision Probability in the Gulf of Trieste

The paper presents results of researches aimed at assessing of influence of traffic intensity increase on collision probability in the Gulf of Trieste. Stochastic, simulation model working in fast time was used in the researches. Ships traffic was modeled on the basis of real data obtained from AISJRC.DG.G.4-Maritime affair

Assessment of Influence of Traffic Intensity Increase on Collision Probability in the Gulf of Trieste

The paper presents results of researches aimed at assessing of influence of traffic intensity increase on collision probability in the Gulf of Trieste. Stochastic, simulation model working in fast time was used in the researches. Ships traffic was modeled on the basis of real data obtained from AISJRC.DG.G.4-Maritime affair

A national facility for biological cryo-electron microscopy

Three-dimensional electron microscopy is an enormously powerful tool for structural biologists. It is now able to provide an understanding of the molecular machinery of cells, disease processes and the actions of pathogenic organisms from atomic detail through to the cellular context. However, cutting-edge research in this field requires very substantial resources for equipment, infrastructure and expertise. Here, a brief overview is provided of the plans for a UK national three-dimensional electron-microscopy facility for integrated structural biology to enable internationally leading research on the machinery of life. State-of-the-art equipment operated with expert support will be provided, optimized for both atomic-level single-particle analysis of purified macromolecules and complexes and for tomography of cell sections. The access to and organization of the facility will be modelled on the highly successful macromolecular crystallography (MX) synchrotron beamlines, and will be embedded at the Diamond Light Source, facilitating the development of user-friendly workflows providing near-real-time experimental feedback

EU Shipping and the Ballast Water Management Issue

After almost two decades of intensified research, regulatory and political activities focussed on the prevention of harmful organisms and pathogen transfers around the world, in 2004 the International Convention on the Management of Ships¿ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) was adopted to provide a common and globally uniform ballast water management (BWM) approach. Nevertheless, regionally different BWM approaches are developing. By now, many countries around the world seem to be aware of the ballast water issue and its management limitations. In the EU, different approaches have been identified at regional and national scales, however, a common EU wide BWM approach has not yet clearly emerged. In this paper author reviews the BWM approaches developing in Europe, and describe the EU response on BWM, and further provides recommendations which may be considered when developing BWM measures in the EU. This contribution focuses on the BWM issue in European seas in light of the EU Maritime Policy and EU Marine Strategy.JRC.G.4-Maritime affair

Ballast Water Discharge Assessment Model

Vessels carrying passengers and cargoes all around the world facilitate also the transfer of harmful and pathogen organisms, especially via ballast water. Discharge of these in a new environment may result in a change of biodiversity, alteration of ecosystems, negative impacts on human health and economic loss, in some cases with irreversible consequences. One of the critical issues is a need to understand and evaluate the dimension and process of species introductions. In the efforts to prevent the transfer of invasive aquatic species, risk assessment plays a crucial role. This actually enables management process to identify appropriate management measures. The quantity of ballast water discharged is one of the basic elements of such evaluation. During the national research projects ¿Harmful Introductions and Ballast Water Management in the Slovenian Sea¿ and ¿Decision Model and Control of Ballast Water Management in the Slovenian Sea¿, conducted by the Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport (University of Ljubljana) from July 2004 were conducted between July 2001 and June 2007, a new Ballast Water Discharge Assessment Model (BWDAM) was developed. The BWDAM is based on foreseen cargo operation, type of cargo, and vessel type and dimensions. The model was tested on vessel traffic data for the Port of Koper, and various vessels were boarded. Results show high confidence for an overall estimation of ballast water discharges in a port. This paper presents the BWDAM and application results for the Port of KoperJRC.G.4-Maritime affair

The Model of Optimal Allocation of Maritime Oil Spill Combat Ships

The paper describes a two-stage method for optimizing the location of marine oil spill combat forces and assessing the costs related to this action at the sea. An optimization problem relates to positioning the oil pollution combat ships in ports in such a way that they are able combat the anticipated number of oil spills in certain positions in the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea area in the shortest possible time. The problem was classified as NP-hard; therefore, in the first stage, an evolutionary algorithm was applied. The main output of the model based on the evolutionary algorithm is the time of arrival of combat ships from the port to the oil spill area, as well as the costs of such operation; this is defined as the aim function. The first stage of the model does not simulate combat pollution action; therefore, the results obtained were treated as approximate. In the second stage, the several best allocations of oil spill response resources obtained in the first stage were used as input to a detailed simulation model of combat action. For each chosen allocation, a number of oil combat action simulations were carried out. The model can be used to create and verify oil pollution contingency plans, and finally increase the sustainability of sea and coastal areas

Pilot Navigation System - Integrated Tool for Vessels Handling in Ports

The process of sea navigation where the vessel is near the coast has the highest risk factor compared to all sea voyage. This factor is also affected by hydrometeorological condition ¿ especially poor visibility. Such phenomena¿s might lead to reduction of traffic and in extreme cases even to closing traffic in given areas by VTMS operators. This leads to potential economic loss. The work of sea pilot and captain have added significance here. It is often their decision whether to enter or leave the port, or to pass though difficult areas in bad weather. This article presents the Pilot Navigation System (PNS) ¿ system that will support user in navigation at confined areas.JRC.G.4-Maritime affair

The Very Real Danger of Environmental Damage to the Region of Trieste as Well as the Short and Sensitive Slovene Coast Given Expected Traffic Increase in the Gulf of Trieste

This paper not only presents the results of studies assessing the influence of expected intensive increase of traffic on collision probability in the Gulf of Trieste, but real incidents as well as a model that suggests with accuracy the likely results of oil spillage in the gulf. A stochastic, simulation model (working in fast time) was used in the research. Ship traffic was modeled on the basis of real data obtained from AIS, as are the reports of actual incidents.JRC.G.4-Maritime affair

A generic ballast water discharge assessment model as a decision supporting tool in ballast water management

Vessels carrying passengers and cargoes all around the world facilitate the transfer of invasive aquatic species, especially via ballast water. Discharge of these in a new environment may result in a change of biodiversity, alteration of ecosystems, negative impacts on human health and economic loss, in some cases with irreversible consequences. One of the critical issues is a need to understand and evaluate the dimension and process of species introductions. In the efforts to prevent the transfer of invasive aquatic species, risk assessment plays a crucial role. The quantity of ballast water discharged is one of the basic elements of such an evaluation. Further, the possibility to do it well in advance of the vessel¿s arrival to a port enhances the management process and gives port authorities a possibility to respond in time with appropriate measures. To this end, a new generic Ballast Water Discharge Assessment Model (BWDAM) was prepared. The BWDAM is based on foreseen cargo operation, type of cargo, and vessel type and dimensions. The model was tested on vessel traffic data in the Port of Koper, Slovenia, and various vessels were boarded. The results show high confidence in predicting whether a vessel will (or not) discharge ballast water, as well as accuracy in the assessment of the quantity of ballast water to be discharged. KEY WORDS: shipping, ballast water, discharge assessment, risk assessment, ballast water managementJRC.G.4-Maritime affair