A revised AER-CII framework could address long-standing concerns around correction factors, voyage exclusions and transport work calculations without removing fuel or distance data. By introducing equivalent transport work, the approach aims to improve fairness across ship types, better reward energy-efficiency measures and support practical decarbonisation pathways while preserving regulatory integrity

Carbon Intensity Indicator regulations may be driving unintended behaviours in ice-class shipping. Using a maritime sandbox that combines ship performance modelling, route optimisation and environmental data, this research reveals how current correction factors can incentivise higher-emission operating choices, offering valuable insights for refining future decarbonisation policies and compliance frameworks.

Carbon intensity regulations are driving demand for more accurate operational energy data. Focusing on CII correction factors for energy-intensive cargoes, this research explores the data acquisition technologies needed to support compliant reporting while enabling holistic vessel optimisation. The findings highlight how smarter energy monitoring can strengthen efficiency, transparency and decarbonisation.

Decarbonising bulk carrier fleets will demand both immediate efficiency gains and long-term design transformation. This analysis examines retrofit strategies, operational measures and emerging propulsion concepts driven by CII requirements, while exploring future-ready vessel designs and alternative fuels. The findings reveal how today’s decisions could shape competitive, low-carbon bulk shipping ahead.

Wind propulsion is becoming increasingly attractive as tightening Carbon Intensity Indicator requirements reshape maritime economics. By assessing rotor sail installations against fuel costs, operating profiles and regulatory pressures, this research demonstrates how emissions regulations can strengthen the business case for wind-assisted propulsion, extending compliance, reducing fuel consumption and improving long-term investment returns.

Silicone-based low-friction coatings are emerging as a powerful yet often overlooked decarbonisation tool. By simultaneously reducing hull resistance and limiting biofouling growth, these advanced coatings deliver sustained energy efficiency gains, lower fuel consumption and improved Carbon Intensity Indicator performance, positioning them as both a technical innovation and an operational strategy.

Innovation is accelerating the maritime sector’s green and digital transition, but human safety risks cannot be overlooked. This research examines how emerging technologies, regulation and responsible innovation intersect, highlighting tensions and opportunities in adoption. The findings provide a framework for balancing technological progress, regulatory compliance and workforce safety going forward.

Virtual reality is transforming maritime design by placing operational experience at the centre of early development. By combining collaborative interface design tools with immersive 3D scenario reconstruction, this approach enables rapid evaluation of bridge concepts, integrates expert feedback and accelerates user-centred innovation for complex ship docking operations and beyond.

Augmented reality is showing strong potential to enhance safety-critical maritime operations by improving communication, shared situational awareness and collaborative decision-making. Through iterative prototype development and real-world trials, researchers identified both operational benefits and usability challenges, revealing how AR could support faster, more effective navigation in increasingly complex maritime environments.

AI-enabled autonomous ships promise greater operational efficiency, but human oversight remains critical to safe deployment. This research examines how system transparency, including visibility of decisions, intentions and reasoning, can improve supervisory control, reduce automation-related risks and strengthen operator performance, offering practical insights for the future of trusted maritime autonomy.

Ship bridge simulators are proving invaluable for evaluating maritime innovations before deployment. Using motion-based simulation to assess responses to parametric rolling, researchers demonstrate how early-stage testing can reveal operational insights without costly prototyping. The findings highlight a practical, user-centred methodology for accelerating safer, better-informed design decisions across industry today broadly.

Maritime disasters rarely result from missing rules alone. This examination of safety culture reveals how organisational pressures, weak accountability and tolerance of non-compliance can undermine established standards and oversight. By exposing challenges faced by those safeguarding public safety, it highlights practical measures to strengthen resilience, trust and governance going forward.