The division of Maritime Studies is engaged in research and education connected to shipping and other maritime sectors, including its role in the entire transport and energy system. We educate the seafarers of tomorrow, focusing on developing a sustainable shipping industry.
Research areas
Smart shipping
The increase in digitalization within the shipping industry demands research, not only within the complex socio-technical system but also within areas of education and training of future operators, managing Big Data, development of decision support systems, providing input to the development of regulatory support together with safe and efficient operational procedures.
Energy and environmental system analysis
The research evaluates the role of different energy carriers in the energy system based on energy system modeling and environmental system analysis. While focus lies on the transport sector, other parts of the energy system are also included with an emphasis on how these affect the conditions for various future energy carriers in the transport sector.
Overall assessment of shipping's environmental impact
Shipping gives rise to a number of different types of environmental impacts such as emissions to air and water from various on-board systems, exhaust gases from combustion engines, toxic substances from anti-fouling paints, and grey, black (sewage), ballast cooling, bilge and scrubber water, tank cleaning residues , propeller sleeve oil and solid waste such as food scraps. In addition to emissions, shipping also causes various types of energy pollution, such as underwater noise from engines and propellers, sonar, artificial light, and turbulent energy in the wake. Other types of direct and indirect environmental impacts linked to shipping include erosion from surge waves, physical disturbance of the seabed at anchorage, dredging and dumping of dredged masses from harbors and waterways, and the spread of alien species. In order to evaluate shipping's environmental impact, all types of impact from all ships operating in an area need to be included in the assessment.
Antifouling and biofouling research
Fouling is a big problem for many maritime sectors including the shipping and recreational boating sector. Read more about how researchers at the Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences are working on antifouling and biofouling strategies.
Environmental impact of scrubber technology
A scrubber is used on board ships to clean the exhaust gases from mainly acidifying sulfur oxides. Since 2007, researchers at the Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences have worked in a series of projects to evaluate scrubber technology from a holistic perspective.
Environmentally hazardous wrecks and dumping areas
Environmentally hazardous wrecks are a problem both in Sweden and in the rest of the world. The wreck research group consists of researchers with cutting-edge expertise in risk management, marine biogeochemistry, ecotoxicology and maritime environmental science. The work includes both risk assessment of environmentally hazardous wrecks as well as dumping areas for chemical warfare agents.
Division of Maritime Studies
Units
Technical and Maritime Management
Technical and Maritime Management focuses on teaching in maritime sciences, including cargo management, mechanical engineering, law and logistics.
Nautical Studies
The unit for Nautical Studies aims to perform research within areas such as navigation, safety and user-centred design to support the transition to “Smart shipping”.
Maritime Environmental Sciences
Maritime Environmental Sciences works with different aspects of environmental impact from shipping. The result from this research often serves as decision support for maritime stakeholders.
