Maritime Areas Research Articles

Analysis of Performance Management, Loyalty and Image of the Head of the Hotel Service towards the Perception of the Tomini Bay Community in the Framework of Strengthening the Maritime Area of Gorontalo Province

The aim of this research is to analyze hotel performance management in the context of hotel business management loyalty and the image of the hotel manager towards the perception of the people of the Tomini Bay area to strengthen the maritime region in Gorontalo province. The benefit of this research is to analyze the consistency of hotel management performance, including leadership and employees with hotel business management loyalty and the image of the head of hotel on the perception of the people of the Tomini Bay area to strengthen the maritime region in Gorontalo province. This is survey research with a mixed method approach, combining qualitative interviews with hotel leaders and quantitative analysis of employee performance data and perceptions of hotel users (consumers). The results conclude the importance of the results of appropriate leadership performance management analysis and increasingly implementing proactive and productive strategies for hotel business management loyalty in facing challenges, maintain high performance, and ensure long-term success in the hotel industry to maintain the image of the hotel business towards improving the public perception of the Tomini Bay area to strengthen the maritime region in Gorontalo province.

TPTrans: Vessel Trajectory Prediction Model Based on Transformer Using AIS Data

The analysis of large amounts of vessel trajectory data can facilitate more complex traffic management and route planning, thereby reducing the risk of accidents. The application of deep learning methods in vessel trajectory prediction is becoming more and more widespread; however, due to the complexity of the marine environment, including the influence of geographical environmental factors, weather factors, and real-time traffic conditions, predicting trajectories in less constrained maritime areas is more challenging than in path network conditions. Ship trajectory prediction methods based on kinematic formulas work well in ideal conditions but struggle with real-world complexities. Machine learning methods avoid kinematic formulas but fail to fully leverage complex data due to their simple structure. Deep learning methods, which do not require preset formulas, still face challenges in achieving high-precision and long-term predictions, particularly with complex ship movements and heterogeneous data. This study introduces an innovative model based on the transformer structure to predict the trajectory of a vessel. First, by processing the raw AIS (Automatic Identification System) data, we provide the model with a more efficient input format and data that are both more representative and concise. Secondly, we combine convolutional layers with the transformer structure, using convolutional neural networks to extract local spatiotemporal features in sequences. The encoder and decoder structure of the traditional transformer structure is retained by us. The attention mechanism is used to extract the global spatiotemporal features of sequences. Finally, the model is trained and tested using publicly available AIS data. The prediction results on the field data show that the model can predict trajectories including straight lines and turns under the field data of complex terrain, and in terms of prediction accuracy, our model can reduce the mean squared error by at least 6×10−4 compared with the baseline model.

The history of the breeding of Clematis (Clematis L.) in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden, NAS of Ukraine

Purpose. Investigate the history of Clematis breeding in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden (NBG), NAS of Ukraine, determine the main directions of hybrid Clematis breeding work. Results. It was established that the result of more than 16 years of breeding Clematis in the NBG was the selection of the 61 perspective hybrid, 42 of which, the most perspective, were assigned names. Of these, large­flowered varieties are the most numerous according to the distribution of variety groups in the current Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain classification. In particular, Late Large­flowered account for about 40% of the total and Early Large­flowered for about 29%. Small­flowered hybrids make up the smaller part, of which about 26% belong to the Viticella group and one hybrid (‘Sputnik’) to the Integrifolia. The known directions of distribution of hybrid Сlematis of the NBG breeding indicate the possibility of their successful cultivation both in continental and maritime areas with a high level of humidity in the temperate zone and in the dry Mediterranean climate of the subtropical climate zone, which reveals their significant adaptive potential. Conclusions. Obtaining varieties of hybrid Clematis of domestic breeding is important for the implementation of sustainable horticulture practices on the territory of Ukraine, since a significant part of the modern introduced assortment of Clematis raises doubts about their adaptability to the local climate, and requires additional research into their adaptive potential. A successful combination in vertical landscaping of NBG­bred Clematis belonging to different varietal groups can ensure continuous flowering from May to the end of the season. These unique characteristics of Clematis ensure the creation of not only environmentally sustainable, but also visually appealing spaces that will contribute to the overall health and beauty of the urban environment.

Implementasi UNCLOS 1982 dalam Mengatasi Pencemaran Laut oleh Pemerintah Indonesia: Studi Kasus Pencemaran Minyak di Wilayah Perbatasan Kabupaten Bintan

There are several issues that should be the focus of the Indonesian and international governments, including marine pollution in the Bintan area. Indonesia's marine environment has various types of natural resources, both biotic and abiotic natural resources, as well as very important resources such as means of communication, recreational media, trade and transportation routes. Therefore, we need to think about how we can overcome these hazards in the future. Various events that have occurred so far in Indonesia, especially in the border area of Bintan Regency, highlight the role of the Indonesian government in protecting Indonesia's maritime areas from various risks of loss and emphasizing the management of natural resources in an orderly and appropriate manner. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the strategies and efforts made by the government by implementing UNCLOS 1982 against oil pollution that often occurs in the border area of Bintan Regency.

Law enforcement or use of force: The legal nature of activities conducted by CCG and JCG in the disputed waters

In recent years, China and Japan have been engaged in persistent maritime law enforcement competition in the waters surrounding Diaoyu Islands. There is a profound concern that the recent enhancement of their respective coast guards’ capabilities and mission scopes, coupled with a lack of mutual trust, may give rise to mutual misinterpretation of intentions. Such misjudgment has the potential to initiate a sequence of escalating reactions, ultimately culminating in armed conflict. The crucial factor in preventing this domino effect is the rational evaluation of the nature of maritime law enforcement operations conducted by both parties within the contested waters. Providing relatively objective evaluation criteria for these assessments is a critical role that international law can fulfill at this juncture. International judicial precedents have articulated a set of principles governing maritime law enforcement activities. Notably, the Guyana/Suriname case and the Detention of Three Ukrainian Naval Vessels case offered significant insights into the limitations on law enforcement operations in disputed maritime areas. Concurrently, both China and Japan have developed relatively comprehensive legal frameworks pertaining to the law enforcement activities of their respective coast guards. A better understanding of each other’s domestic legal regulations would also aid both China and Japan in avoiding misinterpretations of each other’s intentions. Indeed, through a comprehensive synthesis of the perspectives offered by international judicial bodies and a systematic analysis of each party’s domestic legal frameworks, this paper argues that, at least currently, neither party has exhibited intentions or actions that exceed the bounds of maritime law enforcement.

The Case of the Martin Vaz Rocks and Other Brazilian Offshore Archipelagos: A Further Step Toward the “Territorialization” of the South Atlantic

Article 121 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) deals with the regime of islands, while Article 7 of UNCLOS refers to the criteria for employing straight baselines. Taking advantage of the lack of clarity concerning the distinction between “islands” and “rocks” in Article 121, and the ambiguity in Article 7 (combined with Articles 46 and 47) concerning the use of straight baselines to enclose offshore archipelagos, Brazil has changed the legal status of the Martin Vaz features from “rocks” to “islands” and enclosed them within straight baselines in order to slightly increase its maritime area. Although the impact of this initiative is rather limited, it demonstrates the willingness of the Brazilian authorities to extend the maritime area of Brazil as far as possible, even where this is inconsistent with UNCLOS and comes at the expense of the area that is subject to the common heritage of humankind, as the Martin Vaz features are typical examples of rocks. Moreover, this article argues that changing the legal status of the Martin Vaz features is not an isolated case, but part of a series of initiatives launched by Brazil toward the “territorialization” of the South Atlantic ever since UNCLOS has entered into force.

A 1940-2020 spatiotemporal analysis of thermal discomfort days in Southeast Asian countries

Abstract The high temperature and humidity make Southeast Asia (SEA) one of the regions most susceptible to the occurrence of thermal discomfort days (TDDs) in the world. In the context of global warming, SEA’s rapid population growth and urban expansion further exacerbated the region’s exposure to TDD, posing greater risks in public health. However, there exists a significant knowledge gap in the understanding of the long-term spatiotemporal evolution of TDD, as well as its projection in the future. By utilizing the newly released ERA5 datasets of Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT), this study presented the 81-year analysis of TDDs in SEA countries, spanning from 1940 to 2020, with projections extending to 2100. While the mean increase in UTCI was relatively modest, the corresponding rise in TDD likelihood was disproportionately larger, indicating a heightened risk of exposure. A distinct contrast was observed between continental and maritime regions, with maritime countries showing smaller absolute rises in both indices but larger trends in TDD frequency due to oceanic moderating effects. Seasonal analyses highlighted the dominant influence of the East Asia monsoon over SEA, and spatial analyses revealed a negative correlation between TDD occurrence and elevation, with low-lying areas being hotspots. Projections for 2050 suggest continued warming. These findings underscore the urgency of proactive measures to address climate change impacts, particularly in vulnerable maritime and low-lying areas, providing valuable insights for enhancing climate resilience and adaptation in SEA. Our findings reveal critical insights into the trends and future scenarios of thermal discomfort in the region, underscoring the urgent need for effective climate adaptation strategies.

La exploración de los hidrocarburos en el caso de las islas Malvinas de 1995 a 2022

This paper aims to analyze the hydrocarbon exploration process in the Malvinas Islands carried out by the United Kingdom from 1995 to 2022. In relation to this, the question of the Malvinas Islands refers to a dispute between the Argentine and British governments over sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands and islands of the South Atlantic, the surrounding marine spaces, which also includes oil and gas. In this sense, these resources hosted on the islands’ submarine shelf were a long-standing focus of interest. In the 1990s, the British government authorized the arrival of transnational companies to carry out exploration activities and possible exploitation in an area that is still under international dispute. In this context, the Argentine State recognized these insular and maritime areas as an integral part of its national territory and, consequently, rejected the presence of these companies and declared their activities illegal.

Grey Areas in Maritime Delimitation

Abstract This article considers some recent jurisprudence in maritime boundary delimitation that results in the creation of ‘grey areas’. Such grey areas have generated uncertainty in practice, specifically concerning claims to entitlements and the rights that States may exercise in such areas. The article reviews the two Bay of Bengal cases (International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea 2012 and the Annex VII Tribunal 2014) and two cases before the International Court of Justice (Somalia v. Kenya 2021; Nicaragua v. Colombia 2023), indicating the need for delimitation of maritime areas and legal rights to reflect the ‘physical reality at the time of delimitation’.

Analysis of data from drones for surveillance and threat identification in maritime areas

Analysis of data from drones for surveillance and threat identification in maritime areas

Rambangan and Lelebusayan as a Local Maritime Tradition Embraced by the Artisanal Fishing Community in Sapeken Sub-district, District of Sumenep, Indonesia

The artisanal fishing community in the Saseel and Tanjungkiaok villages in the Sapeken sub-district lives by the marine resources in the maritime area of the Sapeken sub-district. They are engaged in fishing activities through the extraction of fishery resources and seaweed cultivation. Owing to insufficient resources, the fishermen have agreed to utilize resources sparingly for the continuous supply of resources and sustainability of the lives of the fishermen. An effort to maintain the sustainability of the resources is through agreeing to use traditional extraction equipment such as fishing rods and agreeing on the pattern of resource extraction, which is based on the principle of kinship and togetherness. However, social sanction is sometimes applied to fishermen who conduct activities through extraction mechanisms beyond that which are collectively agreed upon; for example, a ban on the extraction within a certain time in the common maritime spaces. Consequently, the conception of Rambangan and Lelebusayan has subsequently emerged and has been developed by the artisanal fishermen communities in Saseel and Tanjungkiaok as a local maritime tradition. This is used as the main life reference for the artisanal fishermen community. Rambangan is a maritime tradition that obliges artisanal fishermen within the community to behave socially, whereas Lelebusayan is a maritime tradition that obliges the artisanal fishermen community to behave spiritually in their utilization of resources.

Identification of Key Habitats of Bowhead and Blue Whales in the OSPAR Area of the North-East Atlantic—A Modelling Approach towards Effective Conservation

Effective protection of highly mobile and data-poor species constitutes a great challenge amid growing ocean exploitation and use. Blue whales and bowhead whales in the North-East Atlantic face several threats, such as climate change, ship strikes, pollution, and entanglement in fishing gear. Consequently, the OSPAR (“Oslo-Paris Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic”) Commission recognised their need for protection and included them on the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species. Two actions to protect these endangered species that OSPAR Contracting Parties have agreed on are (i) identifying areas that play an essential role in the species’ life cycle—subsequently called key habitats, and (ii) ensuring that those key habitats are covered by OSPAR marine protected areas (MPAs). In addition, OSPAR has committed to expanding its network of MPAs and other effective area-based conservation measures by 2030 to cover at least 30% of the OSPAR maritime area (termed the 30 × 30 target) from today’s approx. 11%. In this paper, we present the results of modelling key habitats for the bowhead and blue whales in the North-East Atlantic, including Arctic waters. Due to the sparse data situation for these species, we apply presence-only modelling methods. As this method can, in principle, produce somewhat biased results, we recommend that systematic, regular surveys on these species in Arctic waters be significantly intensified for future analyses to overcome the data paucity and allow using presence–absence/count data modelling approaches. Key habitats of blue whales were identified between Iceland and Svalbard, extending to the Azores. For bowhead whales, key habitats were identified in the Fram Strait. However, our findings show that only 11.8% of blue whale key habitats and 4.1% of bowhead whale key habitats are currently covered by OSPAR MPAs. To protect 30% of key habitats for these species in the most efficient way, our analyses suggest that suitable areas to designate new OSPAR MPAs are located around the Azores for blue whales and in the Fram Strait for bowhead whales. With these additional MPAs, OSPAR would substantially improve the protection of the two endangered species and, at the same time, progress towards its 30 × 30 target.

From ports to routes: Extracting multi-scale shipping networks using massive AIS data

Maritime transportation is a critical component of global trade and commerce. To ensure maritime safety, fixed shipping routing has been established in many complex waters. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive digital shipping networks in wide-range maritime areas. To better understand the navigational patterns, this paper proposes a data-driven extraction framework for multi-scale shipping networks, including port-, node-, and route-level shipping networks. It is essentially a hierarchical approach, which progresses from port to route. In particular, for the extraction of port-level shipping networks, the clustering in quest (CLIQUE) and alpha-shapes algorithms are employed to accurately extract the boundaries and spatial extents of individual ports. For the node-level shipping network extraction, an adaptive Douglas-Peucker algorithm is developed to identify crucial feature points, and CLIQUE clustering is further exploited to extract the network waypoints. A novel slice-based traffic flow fitting algorithm is finally introduced to extract the route-level shipping network. To verify the performance of shipping network extraction methods, comprehensive experiments are conducted using the massive Automatic Identification System (AIS) data in different water areas. The experimental results have demonstrated that our method was capable of extracting multi-scale shipping networks, revealing traffic characteristics and vessel behaviours. Overall, the method proposed herein is useful for shipping logistic analysis and provides a foundation for several potential maritime applications, including route planning, trajectory prediction, and others.

Ten years of oil pollution detection in the Eastern Mediterranean shipping lanes opposite the Egyptian coast using remote sensing techniques

The Eastern Mediterranean region, a vital conduit for global maritime trade, faces significant environmental challenges due to marine pollution, particularly from oil spills. This is the first study covering the long period of comprehensive monitoring of oil pollution using the full mission of Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data in the Mediterranean Sea, so this research aims to detect and analyze comprehensively the occurrence of oil spills in the Eastern Mediterranean over a decade (2014–2023). This study focuses on identifying geographical distribution patterns, proximity to shorelines, frequency across maritime zones, and potential sources of these spills, especially around major ports and maritime routes. This study utilizes SAR data from the Sentinel-1 satellite. The methodology included automated detection algorithms within the Sentinel application platform (SNAP) and integration with GIS mapping to study oil spill patterns and characteristics. Over 1000 Sentinel-1 scenes were investigated in the northern Mediterranean waters off the coast of Egypt, to detect and analyze 355 oil spill events with a total impacted area of more than 6000 km2. The analysis of temporal spill distribution reveals significant fluctuations from year to year. Within the entire timeline of the study, 2017 had the largest spatial areas covering one thousand square kilometers. In contrast, the single largest spill recorded during the study period occurred in 2020, covering 198.73 square kilometers. The results identified a non-uniform distribution of oil spills and primarily exhibiting elongated patterns aligned with the navigation routes. The distinct increase of oil spill incidents was within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), obviously drifted to the coastline and around major ports. The study emphasizes the critical role of remote sensing technologies in addressing environmental challenges caused by the maritime transport sector, advocating for enhanced monitoring and regulatory enforcement to protect marine ecosystems and support sustainable naval activities. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted continuous monitoring and rapid response strategies in high-traffic maritime areas, particularly around the EEZ and major ports.

Enhancing safety in undersea exploration: a novel rescue strategy using genetic simulated annealing

Abstract The increasing interest in undersea exploration necessitates the development of advanced safety and rescue strategies. This paper introduces a novel rescue strategy for manned submersible expeditions, emphasizing the use of a genetically simulated annealing algorithm to optimize rescue operations. By integrating this algorithm with multi-unit cooperative rescue tactics and optimal search path modeling, we propose a comprehensive approach to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of rescue operations. Our simulations in a maritime area of 10, 000 m × 10, 000 m demonstrate the algorithm’s ability to efficiently coordinate the rescue of multiple distressed submersibles, ensuring a rapid and strategic response to emergencies.

The Concept of Multi-track Diplomacy in Indonesian Coast Guard to Strengthen the International Maritime Relationship

Indonesia is one of the largest archipelagic countries in the world with vast stretches of ocean. The pillars in the effort to defend Indonesia's seas are not only found in the TNI, but also in the coast guard. Bakamla as Indonesia's coast guard is tasked with protecting the country's oceans, however Bakamla faces many problems. This problem is in the form of a shortage of personnel, and is also Bakamla's main step in becoming part of Indonesia's maritime defense strategy. This research was created using a qualitative approach and literature review methods to reach the right solution to solve this problem. The results of this research include that Bakamla has a crucial role in law enforcement in Indonesia's maritime areas and also has a major responsibility for the security of the nation and state from the maritime sector. Bakamla also has the rights and opportunities to implement the precise trinity roles that is implemented in the navy since both of them serve the similar roles. As an advancement of this those roles, Bakamla also has the rights to implement the use of Multi-track Diplomacy concept to strengthen its function in international diplomacy with other country in order to reduce or even avoid the tension that has been the main issues of current era. Therefore, it is hoped that Bakamla can apply the concept of multi-track diplomacy within the naval trinity concept further, so that Indonesia's maritime defense can increase.

Title over the territory in establishing the jurisdiction of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the case of Ukraine v. russia

The article is dedicated to the analysis of the violations of Ukraine's sovereign rights in the maritime areas adjacent to the occupied Crimean Peninsula by the russian federation since 2014. The author examines the legal mechanisms that Ukraine employs to protect its interests within the framework of international law, particularly through appeals to international judicial and arbitral bodies in accordance with the provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Special attention is given to the arbitration proceedings initiated by Ukraine in 2016 against the russian federation, aimed at recognizing the violations by russia related to the unlawful exploitation of natural resources on the continental shelf and within the exclusive economic zone, as well as the usurpation of fishing rights and the transit of Ukrainian vessels through the Kerch Strait. The article thoroughly examines Ukraine's arguments and the position of the russian federation, particularly regarding the jurisdiction of the arbitration. The main issue raised in the article is the refusal of the arbitration to recognize its jurisdiction over the dispute due to the question of Ukraine's sovereignty over the Crimean Peninsula, which significantly complicates holding russia accountable. The practices of the arbitration and the maritime tribunal are analyzed to understand potential avenues for resolving the dispute. This article contributes to the understanding of complex legal issues arising in the context of contemporary international conflicts and offers a critical review of existing legal mechanisms for the protection of sovereign rights of states in maritime areas, using the Ukraine vs. russia case as an example.

Contributions to the planning of argentine maritime spaces: The Northern Patagonian socioecological system as a case study

Argentina´s marine ecosystems provide numerous ecosystem services that support the development of different uses and activities, among which conflicts may arise. However, the implementation of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) processes in Argentina is in its early stages. The objective of this study was to analyze a part of the Spatial Maritime Areas of Argentina (EEAr) from a socio-ecological systems perspective, considering areas of importance based on the ecosystem services they provide and conflicts arising from uses and activities. The goal was to generate zoning proposals for management. The DAPSI(W)R model was employed, enabling a comprehensive analysis of potential effects of human actions and natural events on the marine ecosystem under study. The results yielded a detailed diagnosis of the area, facilitating concrete proposals for interventions and zoning. The primary contribution of this work lies in adapting an innovative methodological proposal for marine spatial planning in the region, aiming to harmonize uses, reduce conflicts, and preserve biodiversity in maritime spaces. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of considering marine ecosystems as socio-ecological systems, providing a holistic perspective that addresses not only environmental but also social and legislative issues.

Upholding Sovereignty and Constitutional Mandates: The Philippine Supreme Court’s Ruling on the Tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking in the South China Sea

Abstract This article examines the Philippine Supreme Court’s landmark ruling declaring the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (jmsu) unconstitutional, emphasizing its implications for Philippine foreign policy and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The jmsu, an agreement between China, Vietnam, and the Philippines for joint exploration in a contested maritime area, was challenged for contravening the Philippine Constitution’s provisions on national sovereignty over natural resources. The decision reaffirms the Philippines’ sovereign rights and sets a legal precedent emphasizing the primacy of the Philippine Constitution in international agreements on natural resource exploration. This article discusses the decision’s significant impact on Philippine foreign policy, the ongoing territorial and maritime disputes in the South China Sea, and its wider relevance to diplomacy and international law. The ruling marks a critical affirmation of Philippine sovereignty and adherence to legal norms, shaping the country’s future diplomatic relations and stressing the importance of constitutional fidelity in international agreements, especially within the contentious South China Sea areas.

A Hybrid Model of Conformer and LSTM for Ocean Wave Height Prediction

This study proposes a hybrid model (Conformer-LSTM) based on Conformer and Long Short-Term Memory networks (LSTM) to overcome the limitations of existing techniques and enhance the accuracy and generalizability of wave height predictions. The model combines the advantages of self-attention mechanisms and convolutional neural networks. It captures global dependencies through multi-head self-attention and utilizes convolutional layers to extract local features, thereby enhancing the model’s adaptability to dynamic changes in time series. The LSTM component handles long-term dependencies, optimizing the coherence and stability of predictions. Additionally, an adaptive feature fusion weight network is introduced to further improve the model’s recognition and utilization efficiency of key features. Experimental data come from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration buoy data, covering wave height, wind speed, and other data from key maritime areas. Evaluation metrics include Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and Coefficient of Determination (R2), ensuring a comprehensive assessment of model performance. The results show that the Conformer-LSTM model outperforms traditional LSTM, CNN, and CNN-LSTM models at multiple sites, confirming its potential in wave height prediction.