Ferry Operations Research Articles

The hazard analysis of passenger-cargo ferries: a revised risk matrix model based on fuzzy best-worst method.

Improving hazards in maritime transport is essential to maintain the reliability and sustainability of the industry, ensure safety and security, and support global trade and economic growth. This paper is aimed at analyzing the hazards of passenger-cargo ferries (PCFs). The novelty of this paper is fourfold: (1) developing a revised risk matrix (RRM) model with considering the adaptability-based resilience of organization to assess PCFs' hazards, (2) identifying risk factors (RFs) in ferry navigation and developing adaptive strategies to mitigate hazards, (3) applying the fuzzy best-worst method (BWM) to determine the RFs' weight, and (4) employing the leading Taiwanese passenger-cargo ferry operator (the Taiwan-ferries case) as an empirical study to verify the proposed model. The empirical result can provide pragmatic information for ferry operators to improve the safety of their ferry navigations. Additionally, the proposed RRM model can provide a methodological reference for related research in hazard management.

Exploring the Sources of Marine Debris and their Effects on Magogoni Ferry Operations Efficiency

Marine debris poses significant challenges to the operational efficiency of the Magogoni Ferry in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This study investigates the sources of marine debris in the ferry's operational environment and evaluates their effects on operational efficiency. Field surveys, interviews, observations, and document reviews were conducted to identify debris sources and quantify their impacts on ferry operations. Findings indicate diverse debris origins, including urban waste, coastal littering, and shipping activities, contributing to operational disruptions through increased maintenance needs and service delays. The study underscores the importance of debris management strategies for sustaining ferry operations. It was found that a large quantity of marine debris reaching the Magogoni Ferry was brought by rivers during the rainy seasons, namely River Tegeta, River Mzinga, and River Msimbazi. Marine debris which impairs ferry operations at Magogoni Ferry includes fishing lines, fishing nets, wood, ropes, textiles, and plastic bags. The effects were seal damage, pump jet blockage, impeller entanglement, mechanical obstruction of the pump jet, and engine stoppage. These breakdowns cause navigational hazards, environmental pollution due to oil leakages, and increased costs of maintenance. It was found that between 2019 and 2023, the cost of maintenance due to breakdowns, whose sources were established to be marine debris, amounted to an average of Tsh120 million per year. to ensure the ferry channel is safe for navigation it was recommended to make it free from debris through implementing educational campaigns to raise awareness, regular cleaning, prohibiting fishing by angling near the ferry area, and the use of technology both to block the entrance of land-based waste to the sea and to improve ferry systems by making them able to withstand debris challenges, for example, the introduction of cutting blades to cut nets, ropes, and fishing lines, protecting the propulsion components.

Assessing the environmental and economic viability of floating PV-powered green hydrogen: A case study on inland ferry operations in Türkiye

This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impacts and costs associated with a floating photovoltaic (FPV)-powered green hydrogen production system for a ferry line in Türkiye, utilizing life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost assessment (LCCA) methods. The methodology involves regridding daily data from 13 Global Climate Models (GCMs) to a consistent 1° × 1° grid, comparing this data with ERA5 datasets using various statistical methods, and identifying the top four GCMs. These models are then used to forecast ambient temperature, wind speed, and solar radiation for 2023–2052. Based on these forecasts, the FPV system's component sizes are determined. The LCA, based on the GREET 2022 database, reveals that green hydrogen is the most environmentally friendly option, reducing global warming potential (GWP) by 77.5 % compared to marine diesel oil (MDO 0.1 % S), with more than 62 % of GWP for the hydrogen-powered ferry attributed to PV production. LCCA results indicate that, without subsidies, green hydrogen is not economically feasible for the selected inland ferry line. Carbon taxes are insufficient to bridge cost differences, highlighting the need for financial incentives. Reducing corporate tax to 10 % is identified as the most effective incentive, and the Production Tax Credit (PTC) option maximizes internal rates of return for green hydrogen producers. This study provides valuable insights for sustainable energy choices in maritime transport, emphasizing the importance of both environmental and economic considerations.

Touchpoints and systems for unmanned autonomous urban ferry operation

Abstract Currently, both experimental and commercial autonomous ferry services have a safety operator onboard who monitors the ferry systems, takes care of the passengers’ safety, and gives them the necessary information. Service touchpoints are all the interaction points between the autonomous ferry and the passengers throughout the passenger journey, from planning the trip to reaching their destination. To reach a state where the ferry service can be unmanned, by moving the safety operator into a remote operation centre, several additional systems and service touchpoints are needed to support the passengers’ safety and provide them with necessary information. This article discusses (1) the service touchpoints and systems needed for an autonomous urban ferry service, (2) how these touchpoints provide the passengers with the necessary information to foster trust and perceived safety, and (3) shows some examples and design suggestions for the experimental autonomous urban ferry milliAmpere2. The service touchpoints presented are (1) a ticket system, (2) an automatic ferry ordering system for on-demand operation, (3) an automatic passenger handling system for safe boarding of the ferry, (4) a passenger information system to provide visual and audio feedback about the ferry service, and (5) a passenger-operator communication system in case contact between the ferry and the remote operation centre need to be established.

GIS-Based Optimal Siting of Offshore Wind Farms to Support Zero-Emission Ferry Routes

To achieve net zero emissions from ships by 2050 and align with the IMO 2023 GHG strategy, the maritime industry must significantly increase zero-emission vessels by 2030. Transitioning to fully electric ferry lines requires enhanced energy supply through renewable energy sources (RES) for complete GHG mitigation and net-zero emissions. This study presents a GIS-based framework for optimally selecting offshore wind farm locations to meet the energy demands of electric ferry operations along coastal routes. The framework involves two stages: designing feasible zero-emission ferry routes between islands or to the mainland and identifying optimal offshore wind farm sites by evaluating technical, spatial, economic, social, and environmental criteria based on national legislation and the academic literature. The aim is to create a flexible framework to support decision making for establishing sustainable electric ferry operations at a regional level, backed by strategically located offshore wind farms. The study applies this framework to the Greek Coastal Shipping Network, focusing on areas with potential for future electrification. The findings can aid policymakers in utilizing spatial decision support systems (SDSS) to enhance efficient transportation and develop sustainable island communities.

Ferry Operators’ Perception on Influencing Factors of Ferry services in Lagos, Nigeria

Ferry operations and services are comprised of constituent factors that might be either simple or complex, depending on how they are regarded. Population density, frequency of service, fare, weather, operating cost and time, safety and cleanliness, and so on all play a role. This study aims to assess the factors which influence ferry operations and services in Lagos State with specific objectives to assess the socio-economic characteristics of the ferry operators; determine the level of supply of ferry by the operators; and identify the influencing factors of ferry ridership from Operators’ perspective. Primary and secondary data were source. However, a survey design method was deployed and used for the study. Trip survey was done daily; involved morning and evening traffic between 6:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. For boat/ferry operators, the sample size was 111. The data was analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics; processed data from questionnaire results was evaluated hypothetically using the Pearson Chi-Square rule. The levels or ratings of supply factors were determined using a Likert rating scale. it was revealed that Ferry ridership is heavily influenced by operating time. Hypothesis tested revealed that ridership Fare does not have associative influence of the number of trips by the operators. The study concluded that supply determinants of ferry ridership and services contribute immensely to the level of ferry patronage and provisions. There is need to monitor irregularities that may crawl-into management and sustainability of water transport development in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.

Safeguarding maritime transport: disclosing the paradox of safety in domestic ferry operations

ABSTRACT The domestic ferry sector plays a significant role in transportation but faces complex challenges requiring a comprehensive examination within a sociotechnical systems framework. This study explores into the inherent paradoxes of the sector, analyzing the interplay between safety dynamics and operational exigencies. Through a systematic review across micro (firm/operations), meso (industry), and macro (national/global) levels, it uncovers a landscape where safety awareness competes with operational demands, creating a paradoxical coexistence. Micro-level challenges like poor enforcement and inadequate safety awareness lead to noncompliance and unsafe practices, as seen in incidents like the Eastern Star tragedy. Strategic planning is vital for long-term industry improvements, requiring policymakers to address regulatory complexities. Interconnected dynamics across meso and macro levels highlight the International Maritime Organization's role in shaping safety standards and policy evolution. Insights into transitioning to international safety standards highlight the need for attitudinal shifts aligned with proactive risk management. This research provides a holistic view of challenges (Themes A to C) and enablers (Themes D to F), traversing micro, meso, and macro levels. By advocating for cross-industry collaboration and emphasizing a more secure and sustainable future for the domestic ferry sector, contributes significantly to the enhancement of safety and sustainable operations.

Effect of Fare Charges on The Operations of Inland Waterways Transport in Lagos State

The study looks at how fare prices affect Lagos State's ferry operations, with a particular emphasis on commuter comfort and the distance traveled. Water transportation offers benefits like cheaper costs, increased capacity, and safety, but its potential has not been completely realized. This is because canal ports have defects that prevent the flexibility and convenience required for the flow of goods and services. The study focuses on the Lagos State Waterways Operations. A small number of carefully chosen canal terminals that link different regions of Lagos State make up the study's population. Purposive sampling was done at the Elegbata/Ebute Ero Terminal, Ebute Ojo Terminal, Ikorodu Terminal, and Badore Terminal. The snowballing technique was used to randomly select 818 passengers. Investigation revealed that daily fee charges have an effect on Lagos State's water transportation operations, and that commuters' comfort level and distance traveled were statistically significant for each of the seven independent components. This analysis showed how daily ticket costs affect the waterways transportation operations in Lagos State. The analysis shows how the low fees actually promote more traffic on Lagos State's waterways, raising the cost of upkeep and lengthening the time needed for servicing. It was recommended that efforts be made to reduce fare prices and provide suitable infrastructure at the ports in order to have efficient inland waterways operations that result in a complete reduction in operational expenses.

Two-stage energy management framework of the cold ironing cooperative with renewable energy for ferry

The cold ironing system is gaining interest as a promising approach to reduce emissions from ship transportation at ports, enabling further reductions with clean energy sources coordination. While cold ironing has predominantly been applied to long-staying vessels like cruise ships and containers, feasibility studies for short-berthing ships such as ferries are limited. However, the growing demand for short-distance logistics and passenger transfers highlights the need to tackle emissions issues from ferry transportation. Incorporating electrification technology together with integrated energy management systems can significantly reduce emissions from ferry operations. Accordingly, this paper proposes a cooperative cold ironing system integrated with clean energy sources for ferry terminals. A two-stage energy management strategy combining sizing and scheduling optimization is employed to reduce the port’s emissions while minimizing system and operational costs. The proposed system configuration, determined through the sizing method, yields the lowest net present cost of $9.04 M. The applied energy management strategy managed to reduce operational costs by up to 63.402 %, while significantly decreasing emissions from both shipside and shoreside operations. From the shipside, emissions reductions of 38.44 % for CO2, 97.7 % for NOX, 96.69 % for SO2, and 92.1 % for PM were achieved. From the shoreside, the approach led to a 28 % reduction across all emission types. Thus, implementing cold ironing powered by clean energy sources is a viable solution for reducing emissions generated by ferry operations. The proposed energy management approach enables emissions reduction and delivering cost-effectiveness at ferry terminals.

Accelerating the transition to zero-emissions ferries

This study investigates how the authorities in Norway have managed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the ferry sector by implementing a strategic tendering process for domestic ferry services. The study was conducted using interviews and document analysis. The authorities used competitive dialogue to implement zero-emissions technology in the procurement process, rendering the tender process and contract period longer than traditional tenders. The authorities’ first competitive environmental bid process was announced in 2011, and all new ferry tenders are now based on hybrid or zero-emissions technology. The authorities employed push and pull strategies to advance a successful green transition in ferry operations. These measures have led to a significant reduction in GHG emissions from this transport sector but an increase in investment costs compared with traditional diesel ferries. How the authorities used the tender system to make ferry transport more environmentally friendly is useful knowledge for others with similar objectives.

Effect of Commuters’ Income on the Ferry Operational Costs in Lagos State, Nigeria

Commuters’ mobility plays significant roles in urban economic due to its reliance on the cheapest means and available transportation system from one location to another. Commuters’ income in Lagos State affects the number of traffic generated along waterways during travel behavior such as commuters’ occupation and commuters’ level of car ownership. This study aims to estimate the impact of commuters’ income on the ferry operations in Lagos state.
 The research was carried out in four selected waterways terminals in Lagos State. The authors used primary data with the aid of snow balling sampling technique to administered 836 questionnaires at the selected inland waterways terminals in Lagos State. The study used multiple regressions to analyze the obtained data in the study area.
 The result of the findings revealed that majority of the respondents representing 63.9% (523) of the sample size had no car. Furthermore, passenger’s income that was measured using passengers’ occupation and passengers’ car ownership had a significant impact on ferry operational costs in Lagos State having R value of .699 (69.9%) and p-value of 0.000. This shows that ferry operational costs can be determined by passengers’ daily or monthly income.
 The study concluded that increase in mobility demand along waterways can be experienced when traveling cost is minimal compared to other means of transportation. It was recommended that government should subsidize the freight price and come up with a policy that will enforce usage of ferry service.

Enhancing maritime safety: A comprehensive review of challenges and opportunities in the domestic ferry sector

The domestic ferry sector is uniquely distinctive owing to its challenging navigation conditions and vulnerable accident records that have evoked endless calls for improving maritime safety. The recent adoption of IMO model safety regulations offers viable options for the Member States to standardize incorporation into national law. The operations of domestic ferries range from very large vessels with freight to small craft, which are often the only transport means for a large population of commuters in the developing world. The flexibility of domestic ferries is appealing; on the other hand, their operations are a challenge to handle, raising the need to identify those challenges that are incompatible with smooth operations and business opportunities. The maritime industry, specifically regarding domestic ferry operations, confronts multilayered challenges with direct implications on accident prevention and operational safety that necessitate a thorough analysis for a comprehensive understanding. This study explores five categories, namely, operations, technology and innovations, the human element, policy and regulation, and economics, recognized as pivotal to improving maritime safety. Our content analysis identifies the comprehensive taxonomies, that explain the current challenges and practical opportunities faced by the sector and which are notably lacking, urging efficient tenacity to ensure sustainable domestic ferry operations. The primary objective was to enhance safety standards, promoting sustainable shipping for all stakeholders involved. This study has identified 28 challenges and 90 opportunities, providing a significant pathway for sustainable decision-making that also adds value to the safety of the stakeholders. This study is expected to explore novel and fertile future research areas to promote scholarly discussion in the domestic ferry sector. Highlights Policy deficiency - Recognition of inadequate policy frameworks for domestic ferry operations in developing nations, necessitating immediate alignment with international safety standards Governance strengthening - There is an swift need for strong governance structures to address deficiencies in policy formulation, regulatory enforcement, and operational practices, ensuring effective safety oversight Standardization challenges - The absence of standardized definitions and categorizations hampers the development of uniform safety regulations within the domestic ferry sector Capacity building - Continuous training programs are necessary to foster a safety-conscious culture among the domestic ferry workforce Policy adaptation - Policies must adapt to technological advancements, and collaboration with international bodies is vital for enhancing safety standards within the domestic ferry sector

Case Study on the Heat Pump Integration for Enhanced Efficiency in Battery-Electric Short-Sea Ferries

This case study investigates the potential of incorporating water heat pumps into onboard thermal systems to utilize low-temperature waste heat for onboard heating and enhance the efficiency and economics of all-electric battery-driven ferries. We analysed a hybrid-driven roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry operating in the Baltic Sea, gathering data on vessel operation, power, and heat provision in low-temperature cycles. We integrated real-time measurement data, energy flow analysis, and thermodynamic calculations to draw conclusions for a potential battery retrofit scenario featuring an all-electric operation and a battery system capacity of 10 MWh. Our results indicate that the integration of heat pumps in battery-electric mode can cover more than 50 % of the onboard nominal heat capacity of HVAC systems, with a seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) of 3.5 during the heating season. The overall electric energy demand of the vessel during the 6-month heating period is reduced by approximately 8 % compared with direct-electric heating.

Optimal planning of an urban ferry service operated with zero emission technology

While passenger-only ferries can be an effective instrument in mitigating road congestion in urban areas, they are among the most polluting modes of transportation. This paper studies technical and economic feasibilities of a battery-powered high-speed ferry service in Oslo, Norway. An urban ferry planner problem that minimizes ferry operator and passenger costs and external costs of road transport subject to strategic (fleet selection and infrastructure location), tactical (service frequency) and operational (vessel speed) decisions is proposed. While the results show that zero emission technologies can pass the cost-benefit test for a short-range service, competitiveness hinges on energy costs and capacities and on the performance of the existing service. Counterfactual scenarios show substantial cost reductions from altering the current ferry route. Anticipated increase in external costs of road transport from closing the ferry service is also much smaller than the system costs of maintaining the urban ferry connection.

Enhancing coastal ecosystem resilience: Investigating the interplay between safety criteria and ferry employee's perceptions to address climate change impacts

Coastal ecosystems play an important part in mitigating the effects of climate change. Coastal ecosystems are becoming more susceptible to climate change impacts due to human activities and maritime accidents. The global shipping industry, especially in Southeast Asia, has witnessed numerous accidents, particularly involving passenger ferries, resulting in injuries and fatalities in recent years. In order to mitigate the impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between employees’ perceptions of safety criteria and their own safety behaviour on Langkawi Island, Malaysia. A straightforward random sampling technique was employed to collect data from 112 ferry employees aboard Malaysian-registered passenger boats by administering questionnaires. The findings shed light on the strong connection between providing safety instructions for passengers and safety behaviour among ferry workers. Safety instructions should contain climate-related information to successfully address the effects of climate change. The instructions might include guidance on responding to extreme weather events and understanding the potential consequences of sea-level rise on coastal communities. The ferry company staff should also expand their safe behaviour concept to include training and preparation for climate-related incidents. The need to recognise the interconnectedness between climate change, ferry safety and the protection of coastal ecosystems is emphasised in this study. The findings can be utilised by policymakers, regulatory agencies and ferry operators to design holistic policies that improve safety behaviour, minimise maritime mishaps and preserve the long-term sustainability of coastal ecosystems in the face of difficulties posed by climate change.

Trend of traffic on inland waterways of Port Harcourt urban coastal environment: a comparative safety imperative for a Ghanaian coastal regional province

The purpose of the study is to compare mobility and access in Sub- Saharan Africa urban cities of Nigeria and Ghana by analysing trends and accident probabilities on the inland waterways to improve safety standards. Primary data from100 respondents through structured data and interview from boat and ferry operators were used. The responses were ranked on a four-point scale based on the selected routes’ average accident probabilities in percent: Very Safe {0-20}, Fairy Safe {21- 50}, Unsafe {51- 80}, and Very Unsafe {81- 100}. Secondary data from the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) and the Volta Lake Transport Company (VLTC) were subjected to probability, percentage and trend analysis. Results indicate that in the Niger delta for every journey there is approximately 59% likelihood of fatal accident; while on the Volta Lake there is a likelihood of 7% fatal accident occurrence. The trend of traffic was high in the Niger delta noticeably in the routes of Akwa- Ibom. Cross Rivers and Rivers State. The Volta Lake recorded high traffic volumes on the routes of Yeji,Tapa Abo and Bidi on market days while on non-market days, Makango. Kwamekrom and Kpechu had high passenger volumes. Estimated annual passenger traffic on the Niger delta routes outweighed that on the Volta Lake routes on a ratio of 4:1. Safety analysis further reveals that the water ways of Port Harcourt in Rivers state were unsafe for travel while the water ways of the Volta Lake were relatively safe as revealed by the average probability ratio of 8:1 in comparative terms. The log linear regression analysis reveals a price elasticity of demand for boat transport of 1.00 and 0.97 for the selected route of Port Harcourt Nigeria and Volta Lake, Ghana respectively. It further supports the fact that more passengers were responsive to travel by waterways in Nigeria than Ghana. The study concludes that waterways of Niger delta basin have high risk indices and likelihood of accident occurrence than the Volta basin; and recommends that VLTC and NIWA should invest optimally and partner with the private sector to enforce and regulate the waterways operations so as to increase safety and mobility of users of the waterways.

진도항 해양관광 발전전략에 관한 연구

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to suggest strategies to develop the Jindo port’s ocean tourism by the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) analysis. Research design, data and methodology : This study derived the development strategies of ocean tourism for Jindo port through literature and experts’ opinions and conducted AHP analysis by investigating 35 experts. Results : According to the AHP survey results, ‘Vitalization of car ferry operation’ and ‘Infrastructure expansion’ were evaluated as more important than the other 2 major categories. The important sub-categories were 'Expansion of car ferry routes', 'Securing car ferry transport resources', and 'Expansion of passenger terminal convenience facilities'. Conclusions : In order to develop Jindo port’s ocean tourism industry, activating the car ferry operation and expanding the port’s infrastructure including the passenger terminal and hinterland’s tourism facilities should be executed first.

Power Control Strategy for a Ferry’s DC Power System Using Supercapacitors

Integrated power systems are gaining popularity in the field of power systems and DC integrated power systems are considered promising for electric propulsion ships due to their simple grid topology, low fuel consumption, and easy access to new energy sources. However, the dynamic response characteristics of the power plant can be compromised when a variable speed generator is used in a DC power system, despite achieving energy savings. In this research, we investigate the power control strategy of a specific type of a ferry’s DC power plant. We establish a mathematical model and a Matlab/Simulink-based simulation model to analyze the performance of the proposed strategy. The research utilizes the fast charging and discharging advantages of supercapacitor storage devices to compensate for the dynamic impact delay of the power output when using the variable speed generator set. Additionally, an improved DC bus voltage droop control method that incorporates voltage compensation is proposed to mitigate problems related to large bus voltage fluctuations under sudden load change conditions, enabling better load distribution between different power sources. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed strategy in optimizing the speed-seeking method of the variable speed diesel engine sets matching with the supercapacitor, and its positive impact on the dynamic performance of the propulsion system is demonstrated under variable load conditions resulting from ferry operations.

Time-optimal coordination of multiple entering and departing ferries in terminals based on decentralized learning model predictive control

In large cities with harbors or rivers, ferry services have been an important part of public transport. In practice, many ferry terminals are subject to geographical and environmental conditions, limited space resources of the terminal pool, and restricted navigable waters of ships, which leads to constrained operations and increases the difficulty of docking when multiple ferries enter and depart from the terminal. Because of the distributed, real-time and dynamic characteristics of multi-ferry maneuvering, this paper proposes a decentralized, time-optimal control strategy to coordinate the maneuvering of multiple entering and departing ferries in restricted terminals. It combines nonlinear model predictive control (MPC) with an iterative learning control (ILC) framework. Based on the states and maneuver data of previously successfully performed trajectories, the coupled constraints among multiple ferries are decomposed with support vector machine (SVM). Therefore, it also does not require real-time information exchange during ferry operations and has the merits of low communication demand, as only local information is required in each ferry controller. Simulations are carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Safety evaluation of lashed trailer motions in ferry operations under rough sea conditions

Safety evaluation of a lashed trailer on the cargo deck of ships is essential for ferry operations. Although ferry accidents have occurred worldwide, few studies have focused on the dynamic analysis of trailer motion in irregular sea states. To date, effective counterapproaches have not been established. Thus, first, ferry masters were interviewed to summarize the difficulty in cargo management during rough sea voyages. Second, a modified simulation model of lashed trailer motions was constructed to evaluate the safety of cargo management, considering wave, seakeeping, and trailer motion simulations. Few studies apply the model to the irregular sea state in actual seas, using a combination of three different kinds of models. A simulation was conducted to analyze the collapse of a trailer loaded on a ferry in high waves owing to rapidly developing atmospheric pressures. Essentially, the model can reproduce the collapse of trailers, especially when a shift in the center of gravity is considered when accelerations occur in loaded cargo inside trailers. The model enables the estimation of trailer motions and lashing wire tensions in ferry operations, considering suitable lashing arrangements.