The main purpose of this article is to use the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method to empirically study the key competency and capabilities affecting the selection of middle managers for global shipping logistics service providers (GSLSPs). To facilitate this theme for obtaining key competency and capabilities, a list of five management competency with twenty-five capabilities are preliminary summarized. Subsequently, the proposed fuzzy AHP method is applied to measure relative weights for evaluating these competency and capabilities. The appraisal approach is then to perform empirical survey via AHP expert questionnaires. Finally, the empirical results show that: (1) ‘professional competency’ is the most important management competency affecting the selection of middle managers for GSLSPs. (2) In order of relative importance, the top six key management capabilities affecting the selection of middle managers for GSLSPs are the ‘capability to manage work pressure,’ ‘capability to manage crisis,’ ‘capability to lead team awareness,’ ‘capability to manage interpersonal networks perfectly,’ ‘capability to use logistics expertise to enhance work efficiency,’ and ‘capability to effectively build team spirit and work atmosphere,’ respectively. Furthermore, concluding remarks are provided in this article.

This paper discusses the data collected through a survey which examined attitudes of participants in the costal maritime traffic of the Republic of Croatia on the introduction of electric ships in the system. Croatia has one of the most indented coastlines in Europe and the world, and 2.92% of its total population lives just on the islands. An important factor for the life of the island’s population and sustainable development of the island is certainly public traffic in the coastal maritime traffic services which includes 51 state line and serviced by 14 shipping companies with 77 ships. Permanent and regular lines between the islands and mainland and between the islands is essential for sustainable development of the islands, but it must not ignore the negative impact of maritime traffic on the environment. Croatian’s strategic goal is safe and environmentally sustainable maritime traffic and space which includes an active change in the system of the the coastal maritime traffic. A prerequisite change is to raise awareness about the environment and causes of pollution.

This paper suggests Fuzzy-logic-rule base method to assess the performance status of a wharf in order to classify it. The method proposed is predicated upon its ability to analyse processes and operations based on subjective judgement with little or no statistical data available. The study also shows that fuzzy-logic rule base is a veritable tool to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the status of a wharf offering ferry service. Using the model developed in this study, the performance status of Yenagoa wharf has been determined to be orange, having a (WPS) overall of 4.8. The status of the wharf has been in good agreement with the perception of stakeholders that the Yenagoa wharf needs restructuring to curb the frequent crisis occurring among stakeholders. The model also indicated those areas of the wharf’s operations needing attention. The study indicates that even though major components that determine the quality and profitability of the wharf’s ferry service are high in value, the overall status of the wharf may not be necessarily high. As such, the study method can be used to control the growing ill-feeling between boat operators and passengers while harmonizing all stakeholders (operators, passengers, and regulators etc) to work together to improve the status of the wharf.

Croatia is one of the well - known Mediterranean destinations for nautical tourism which full development potential is waiting to be used. Cultural attractions, indented coastline, numerous islands, climatic and other advantages are not enough. Croatia needs new infra- and supra-structures, which are reflected through investments in new marinas, anchorages and other facilities. Portugal is an Atlantic country, but with a Mediterranean culture due to its proximity and (potentially) benefiting from its extensive shoreline, two archipelagos, and being located in a geographical position where thousands of yachts pass by each year. The article aims to analyse the accommodation capacities of nautical tourism ports in Croatia and in Portugal. The authors have given an overview of the current situation with an emphasis on the differences and possibilities. The purpose of this article is to analyse the legal objective of nautical tourism and the growing need for accommodation capacities in ports of nautical tourism in both countries. The authors have carried out the research and have analysed data from different years and regions. Although more in Croatia, nautical tourism is a significant part of the national economy in both countries with a strong incentive on the local community. The special goal of this paper is to research into and analyse the economic and ecological impact of nautical tourism through ports of nautical tourism and with a special emphasis on marinas. The result obtained and the critical overview has been presented as one of the important contributions of this paper.

Port selection is an intrinsic supply-chain problem that has substantial impact on development of local economies. Shipping business environment developed into complex system where decision making is derived from uncertain and incomplete data. In this study we present a conceptual integrated Multi-Criteria Decision solution to transshipment port selection problem based on Best-Worst MCDM and Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm. Through literature review and expert analysis, 50 relevant criteria have been identified as relevant to the transshipment port selection problem. Decision makers within liner shipping companies evaluate transshipment port selection criteria and establish ranking that is used to determine crisp solution with lowest consistency ratio. ABC based algorithm is used to reduce computational complexity and deliver a single optimal solution by solving both objective and constraint violation functions.

The high level of logistics development positively affects many socio-economic indicators of the country’s economic development, such as inflation rates, productivity indicators, etc. Increasing productivity through the use of logistics at enterprises has a positive impact on the competitiveness in global markets, as well as on profit level. The aim of this article is to analyze the evolution of productivity in rail transport among several countries from 1997 to 2016. We use a non-parametric approach that allows us to change the performance and efficiency of the transport infrastructure. The main indicators of rail transport should be divided into variations of efficiency and technical changes. The results indicate that productivity growth is concentrated in the last period (1997-2016), when most countries conducted reform processes. This increase in productivity occurred mainly due to technical progress. We also analyze the correlation analysis to determine the factors most influencing the effectiveness. In contrast to similar articles, we justified that the higher the autonomy and financial independence, the higher the level of efficiency and technical change in the infrastructure of the railway transport.

Stock and flow pollution differentiation is the basis for efficient pollution-abatement mechanism designs. The focus of our research has been marine pollution from land-based sources. Stable isotope analysis of groundwater is an acknowledged method for karst aquifer characterisation. We have tested whether stable isotopes of water, when used as a proxy for groundwater dynamics in the karst, could also be used as an indicator of marine pollution differentiation in terms of flow and stock pollution. The focus has been on two close coastal locations characterized by differences in terms of open and closed sea as well as anthropogenic pressure. A static Estimated General Least Squares (EGLS) statistical model described the closed bay location suggesting stock pollution. For a good description of the open sea location, we have had to resort to dynamic Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) statistical modelling, indicating flow pollution. Stable isotopes of groundwater together with appropriate statistical tools have proved to be a useful tool of marine pollution differentiation into stock or flow.

Oil tanker inspections have an important role in enhancing safety and minimizing the risk of oil pollution. However, research has indicated that inspection items are overlapping among inspection regimes observed in a given time span on board oil tankers, thus making negative impact on ship safety, unnecessarily consuming shipboard human resources and having adverse economic effects. In this paper, current inspections performed on board oil tankers have been presented, including duration, intensity and average costs, directly or indirectly paid by shipowners. Our analysis of surveyed components by all regimes has showed that it is possible to reduce critical inspection parameters without compromising safety by introducing a unified inspection method. A content of such inspection, consisting of 529 components, has been presented. Performing the proposed inspection method and sharing its results among interested parties of oil tanker safety regime has been suggested as a measure that could improve oil tanker safety and pollution prevention.

This paper describes the process of a conceptual design of the Wind farm service vessel. The optimization problem of the choice of principal particulars of the WFSV is formulated. For her decision, a genetic algorithm is used. A minimum of costs on repair and maintenance of wind farm is chosen as the objective function. The methodology of the optimization process such as objective function, design variables and used constraints is described. Furthermore, a mathematical model considering dimensions, powering, mass, stability, sea keeping and cost calculation is developed. Methodology of the estimation of economic efficiency, basis of what is made by the methods of statistical design, theory of probability and theory of reliability, is worked out. Software is worked out, giving an opportunity to visualize the process of functioning of the WFSV and wind farm. The methodology may be used in the conceptual design stages for selecting the main dimension of the WFSV.

The process of oil and natural gas extraction is one of the most technically complex processes in the modern industry. Offshore platforms, special drill ships and mobile oil plants are the only ways of extracting oil from the seabed. The paper will highlight the role of oil in the maritime economy and the importance of the logistic chain on the example of Norway. It will provide a theoretical overview of the role of oil exploration through the logistic system, oil stock analysis, export and import analysis of oil quantities through world regions by the model and calculation of direct growth rates of selected variables. In this paper, methods of analysis and synthesis, inductive and deductive methods, comparative methods and growth matrix methods have been used.