While digital technologies continue to change various industries, many sectors are adopting digital transformation, including logistics, which is critical for the functioning of supply chains and the flow of international trade. At this point, digital transformation has become a strategic tool for the logistics sector and can play a pivotal role in improving its performance. However, little is known about the link between digital transformation and logistics performance from a large-scale perspective. In addition, further quantitative research is needed to derive evidence-based implications. To address these gaps, the effects of digital transformation and its components on the logistics performance of countries are examined through panel regression analysis. The components under consideration include human capital, internet connectivity, digital technology integration in business, and digitalization of public services where relevant indicators about digital transformation are derived from the Digital Economy and Society Index. The analysis employs a panel data estimation technique with Driscoll-Kraay standard errors, applied to a dataset of 25 European Union member states spanning 2017-2022. The findings highlight the power and potential of digital transformation in improving logistics performance. This research offers recommendations for policymakers and practical implications for the logistics sector regarding the relationship between digital transformation and logistics competitiveness.

Tirhandils, with their unique designs, have been used for various purposes in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions over centuries, becoming a significant part of our maritime culture. This study aims to investigate the hydrodynamic characteristics of Tirhandil boats using computational fluid dynamics methods. The objectives include analyzing resistance characteristics, pressure and velocity distributions, and wave patterns of a Tirhandil model with a waterline length of 12 meters and a waterline width of 4.02 meters at various flow speeds, corresponding to Froude numbers of 0.19, 0.28, 0.38, and 0.47. A grid independence study was conducted using various grid structures to determine the optimal mesh configuration for the numerical analyses. Validation studies were performed to evaluate the accuracy of the numerical models by comparing the numerical results with experimental data at a Froude number of 0.38, corresponding to a flow speed of 8 knots. Shear Stress Transport k-Omega and Realizable two-layer k-Epsilon turbulence models were used in the validation studies. The results indicate that frictional resistance dominates at lower speeds, notably at Froude number 0.19, while pressure resistance becomes the prevailing component at higher speeds, such as Froude numbers 0.38 and 0.47, with a balanced contribution observed at Froude number 0.28. A 2-knot increase in speed, results in an average increase of approximately 150% in total resistance. The highest-pressure areas on the hull are concentrated along the keel line at all flow speeds, with a more uniform pressure distribution observed at Froude number 0.38. As the flow speed increases, reaching a Froude number of 0.47, the pressure area in the bow region expands, leading to higher wave amplitudes, stronger stern waves, and significant increases in drag and resistance.

One critical human factor that can jeopardize ship safety is failing to address known problems. Troubleshooting abilities are crucial for marine electrical engineers and electro-technical teams, yet this ability is typically developed gradually through field experience. Recent technology provides significant opportunities for creating advanced educational media in maritime education, such as full mission simulators for navigational training. However, its application in electrical troubleshooting remains limited. Serious games allow students to gain experience in troubleshooting without concern for safety or system damage, while also offering flexibility and accessibility from any location. This article proposes a representation of real-world troubleshooting involving multiple locations through a serious game simulator. The presented design framework facilitates clear communication between educators, experts, and game developers, especially for structured multi-location scenarios. As proof of work, an earth fault troubleshooting game was developed using Unreal Engine 5 and tested on 40 marine electrical engineering students, significantly improving test scores (t-statistic: 2.242; p-value: 0.031). In addition, the most significant impact is interest in further learning, scoring 4.4 out of 5, reflecting increased knowledge and confidence. These results underscore the potential of serious games for marine electrical engineering and broader maritime education and training applications.

Indonesia as the largest maritime country, which dense shipping activities that increase the risk of ship accidents, especially in strategic areas such as the Sunda Strait. Extreme weather, such as storms and strong winds, increases this risk and requires special attention to improve shipping safety. This study aims to identify high-risk areas for ship encounters in the Sunda Strait, known as the Critical Collision Zone (CCZ). The CCZ is determined through ship trajectory prediction analysis using the Bi-GRU method and clustering with the DBSCAN algorithm. Trajectory data is obtained from Automatic Identification System (AIS) information and weather data. AIS data includes the position, speed, and direction of the ship in real time. Its integration with weather data allows for the formation of a more accurate trajectory. After the CCZ is identified, the probability of an encounter is calculated using the Monte Carlo Simulation method. The results show that the weather data-based prediction model performs better in identifying the CCZ, as indicated by lower MAE and MSE values and higher silhouette coefficients. These metrics improve the accuracy of identifying risky areas and estimating the probability of ship encounters in the Sunda Strait.

A study of marine diesel fuels was conducted using high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) on 1H and 13C nuclei, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and low-field proton NMR relaxometry. Quantitative information on the composition of hydrocarbon functional groups in diesel fuels was obtained. Data on the degree of aromaticity and branching of molecular fragments were obtained. Important comparative data on the composition of various types of diesel fuel are presented. Spectral interpretation of the chemical composition of marine diesel fuels is confirmed by literature data from studies of other petroleum products. For the first time, the distributions and values of relaxation times for each diesel fuel were determined, reflecting differences in the properties of hydrocarbons, such as increasing chain length, degree of saturation, and the presence of heteroatoms. Fuel Ecto Diesel (grade C) has a transverse relaxation time T2=777.30 ms, and it possesses the lowest viscosity. Fuel oil has a relaxation time T2=5.75 ms and the highest viscosity. A decrease in T2 is caused by a decrease in molecular mobility with increasing viscosity. The study of the properties of marine diesel fuels by non-destructive analytical methods is necessary for the development of an expert system for assessing and diagnosing the condition of marine engines.

Bodrum Çýrnýk boats, which were used in the Aegean Sea for many years, are among the traditional sailboat types unique to Türkiye. These vessels share significant similarities with Tirhandil-type boats, which remain in active use in the same geographical region today. This study investigates the hull form design parameters, hydrostatic properties, and resistance characteristics of Bodrum Çýrnýk-type boats through a comparative analysis with Tirhandil-type boats to identify their distinctive features. In addition to technical analyses, this study also aimed to serve as a means of preserving the cultural and historical heritage of Aegean wooden boatbuilding traditions by documenting and analyzing these significant boat types. The hull form of the Bodrum Çýrnýk is reconstructed using previous academic research, a scaled model exhibited at the Bodrum Maritime Museum, and technical drawings available in the academic literature. Based on the obtained data, models of a Bodrum Çýrnýk and a Tirhandil with identical overall lengths are developed. In this context, hull form design parameters and hydrostatic properties are derived for comparative evaluation. Additionally, the Holtrop-Mennen method and the Delft Systematic Hull Form Series method are employed to assess the resistance characteristics of Bodrum Çýrnýk-type boats. The results indicate that Bodrum Çýrnýk boats are characterized by their pointed bow and stern forms, longitudinal keel, and distinct sheer line. Their most distinguishing feature, compared to Tirhandils, is their more pronounced bow inclination. Moreover, Bodrum Çýrnýk boats generally exhibit lower hydrodynamic resistance than Tirhandils at the tested speeds.

This study investigated the cost implications of maintenance outsourcing (MO) and inventory management (IM) strategies as preventive maintenance measures for industrial vessel operations in Nigeria. Secondary data were gathered through a survey of five major offshore service vessel operators, comprising three anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) operators and two security escort vessel operators The dataset covered 15 years, from 2006 to 2020, detailing fleet size, MO costs, inventory holding costs, and the breakdown rates of vessels. The findings, derived from a panel data regression model and rate of change analysis, indicate that MO and inventory holding costs are significant drivers of breakdown and repair expenditures in both AHTS and security escort vessels. Average fleet-size-to-cost ratios stand at around 1: 67,589,220; 1: 8,380,329; and 1: 14,613,931 for per-vessel breakdown repair costs, outsourcing expenditure, and inventory holding costs, respectively. Outsourcing of maintenance accounts for 12.4% while inventory holding accounts for 21.6% of the total cost of maintenance per vessel, respectively, playing an important role in reducing operational stoppages. These results indicate that the optimization of outsourcing and IM expenditure assumes strategic relevance in improving the preventive maintenance practices in Nigeria’s offshore sector. This pursuit aims for more sustainable and efficient operations for its industrial vessels.

In maritime transport, the cornerstone of global trade, the inspection processes of ships stand out as a critical factor that directly affects competition. International ship inspection regimes shape the dynamics of sectoral competition by assessing the extent to which ships comply with international legislation. In this study, Paris MoU's inspection data for six years (2019-2024) divided into 24 quarters are analyzed and competition analysis is conducted according to the age of oil tankers using the Ship Inspection Competition Index (SICI). In addition, forecasts for all quarters through the end of 2025 were generated using ARIMA model based on SICI results. The results show that removing oil tankers from the fleet when they reach 10 years of age would be an appropriate strategy for shipping companies to maintain and improve their competitive advantage. It is evaluated that this study can provide significant benefits in fleet management and strategic decision-making processes in the maritime industry, and also provides a valuable academic framework for measuring current competitive dynamics and predicting future trends with the integration of SICI and ARIMA methods.