Maritime Resilience Management of an Integrated Transport System

The project basis is that "Maritime transport systems are becoming increasingly interconnected, automated and complex", and what this will mean for the requirements for knowledge and innovation to succeed. This development entails new opportunities but will also entail new vulnerabilities. Over the past few years, we have seen several incidents that affect the transport system. War and international conflicts have had a major impact on both international and domestic transport. In 2023, Norway experienced that Storm Hans led to a closed railway between north and south, and earlier we saw that the blocking of the Suez Canal by the vessel Ever Given led to major challenges for the global logistics flow of goods. In such cases, planning alternative transport routes is of great importance. The MARMAN (Maritime Resilience Management of an Integrated Transport System) project deals with the digitalization of the transport system with a focus on challenges related to the introduction of technology with varying degrees of automation, such as autonomous vessels. Partners in the project are SINTEF Digital, SINTEF Ocean and NTNU. International academic partners include professionals from Ohio State University and VTI in Sweden. A reference group with representatives from the industry and the authorities assists with guidance and assistance along the way. From a professional point of view, resilience has been emphasized as a basis for improving maritime transport systems. Resilience represents a proactive approach to managing both normal operations and unforeseen events. Rapid changes in technology and social conditions create a strong need in the future for both the development and adaptation of new forms of expertise. One aspect is related to the expertise (both operational, regulatory and management) that will be needed through increased automation and closer connection between the parts of the system. Furthermore, the opportunities to exploit new technology will be dependent on new and changed standards and regulations, without risking unacceptable risks. Digitalisation with varying degrees of autonomy and different forms of intelligent transport systems (ITS) will increase complexity, change the interaction between actors and change the way of working. The results related to maritime resilient management are based on a socio-technical approach and are adapted to the area of integrated planning. In the field of resilience, theory and operational practice are seen in context to be able to handle both foreseen and unexpected events. Internationally, research and innovation in the transport sector has had increased attention on how resilience can be applied. This also reflects the needs of the industry. The visit to ABB, the Port of Nordvik and VTI in Sweden in the autumn of 2023 will be followed up with the intention of further Nordic and European research cooperation. The Port of Stockholm can be said to have come a long way in the introduction of new port technology, where, among other things, "semi" autonomy in the loading and unloading process of containers is in use. During the project period, several publications and lectures have been prepared under the auspices of the project. The PhD candidate associated with the project contributes to increased scientific knowledge and expertise in the field. The PhD candidate is affiliated with the PhD programme in Economics and Management, Faculty of Economics and Management, NTNU. He has so far completed mandatory doctoral courses, and three articles have been accepted in reputable journals.

The vision of the project is "to enable resilient, safe and efficient planning, management and operations of an automated integrated transport system in a complex future". The MARMAN project takes a novel approach to the study of digitalisation and increased autonomy in the maritime transport system (MTS) by adopting a holistic, multi-level and multi-method approach. Maritime transport systems, including terminals and vessels, are becoming increasingly interconnected, automated and complex, from a human centred approach to digital connectivity. This development involves new opportunities but will also imply new vulnerabilities. MARMAN will centre on implementation and application of connected autonomous and automated vessels/vehicles (CAV) and will develop knowledge to understand and manage the potential brittleness and risks, and how the MTS can prepare for uncertainty and the unknown when planning and executing transports. Particular attention is on laws and regulations, integrated planning between the transport modes, at different management levels (from government to operational practise), work practices in the sharp and blunt end, and the interrelations between the levels. The results of our research related to maritime resilience management will be based on a socio-technical approach and used within integrated planning. In the resilience area, scientific insights and operational practices will be seen in concert to be prepared for expected and unexpected events. The project will publish approximately 12 scientific papers, one PhD thesis, in addition to 3 MSc thesis. The project will cover four thematic areas: 1. The integrated maritime transport system (MTS) 2. Maritime sea leg – On board and control centre practices 3. Port and terminal – Onshore management practices 4. Across sectors and countries – Socio-technical practices