Maritime Technology and Research

Artificial reefs for coastal wetland and estuary protection and coral restoration: A review

Suwardi Suwardi — 2025-10-26

Artificial reefs (ARs) have emerged as a potential solution to restore aquatic ecosystems and enhance coastal protection. ARs serve as an effective tool for promoting natural species recruitment and survival. Moreover, ARs provide essential microfiches for various marine organisms, facilitating breeding and nursery, vital for sustaining fish populations and enhancing fisheries. However, comprehensive analyses suggesting adequate management policies and strategies that promote sustainable use of ARs as coastal protection and coral rehabilitation are limited. This paper aims to systematically review the literature on artificial reefs to evaluate their effectiveness in these dual roles. A systematic literature review of 121 studies reveals that hydrodynamic optimization and material selection are the most studied factors influencing AR performance. The result shows that the integration of hydrodynamic principles, structural stability, and interlocking strength is essential for maximizing the effectiveness of ARs in coastal protection and marine ecosystem rehabilitation. However, developers must also navigate various risks, including environmental damage, structural failure, and the uncertainty of long-term effectiveness. By adopting proactive measures, such as thorough environmental assessments, adaptive management strategies, and the use of durable materials and more stable structures that reduce physical damage, AR developers can mitigate these risks and enhance the sustainability of projects.

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Cite this article:

Suwardi, Armono, H. D., Satrio, D., Tiffany, V. K., Prakoso, A., Putro, F. L., Hanif, M. R., Erlangga, R., Khaydar, D. M., Karim, A. K., & Aswin, J. A. (2026). Artificial reefs for coastal wetland and estuary protection and coral restoration: A review. Maritime Technology and Research, 8(1), 281096. https://doi.org/10.33175/mtr.2026.281096

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Highlights

Applies the Benefit-Opportunity-Cost-Risk (BOCR) framework to artificial reef evaluation.
Assesses multiple reef alternatives for coastal protection and ecosystem restoration.
Identifies ecological benefit and socioeconomic opportunity as key decision priorities.
Reveals that high-cost, low-risk reef designs deliver optimal sustainability outcomes.
Provides a decision-support model for policymakers in coastal infrastructure planning.

Mental workload, situational awareness, and safety culture in high-speed craft navigation: A multidimensional analysis of Turkish bridge officers

Cem Kartoglu — 2025-09-27

This study examines the interrelationship of mental workload (MWL), situational awareness (SA), and safety culture (SC) within high-speed craft (HSC) navigation, focusing on certified Turkish bridge officers. Data were collected between 1 June and 31 December 2024 using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. A total of 38 certified HSC navigators operating under the Turkish flag voluntarily participated in structured, interviewer-assisted surveys, yielding a 100 % response rate. The Revised NASA Task Load Index (RNASA-TLX), the Situational Awareness Rating Technique (SART), and the Nordic Occupational Safety Climate Questionnaire (NOSACQ-50) were employed to assess cognitive and organizational factors affecting navigational performance in high-tempo maritime environments. Descriptive analysis revealed that visual demand constituted the most significant MWL source, while perceived organizational safety- particularly managerial safety justice- scored lowest among SC dimensions. Notably, while SA and MWL were positively correlated in certain subdomains, multinomial logistic regression analysis found no statistically significant predictive relationships among MWL, SA, or SC. These findings suggest that the three core constructs’ interdependencies may be non-linear and shaped by context-sensitive or latent variables. The study concludes with implications for human-centered design and organizational safety policies aimed at fostering cognitive resilience in HSC bridge operations.

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Cite this article:

Kartoglu, C., Senol, Y. E., & Kum, S. (2026). Mental workload, situational awareness, and safety culture in high-speed craft navigation: A multidimensional analysis of Turkish bridge officers. Maritime Technology and Research, 8(1), 281339. https://doi.org/10.33175/mtr.2026.281339

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Highlights

Evaluates MWL–SA–SC linkages in high-fidelity HSC navigation environments.
Visual interface overload is identified as the primary source of mental workload.
Team cohesion and system trust significantly enhance situational awareness.
Perceived safety culture varies with views on managerial safety justice.
Regression results suggest non-linear links among MWL, SA, and SC.

Trend for ballast water treatment system retrofits

Wanda Rulita Sari — 2025-10-26

Ballast water plays a crucial role in maintaining ship stability, yet it remains a major pathway for the spread of invasive marine species. Regulations introduced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) now require vessels to treat ballast water before discharge, prompting widespread retrofitting of treatment systems. A broad review of research highlights the diverse adoption of prominent technologies, such as electrolysis and ozonation, alongside significant attention on ultraviolet (UV) treatment methods. The overall trend in ballast water management emphasizes greater system stability, lower operational costs, and improved ease of operation and maintenance over a single dominant technology. Publication trends show growing international collaboration and increasing focus on regulatory compliance, cost analysis, and environmental impact. Evaluations across various studies point to seven key aspects in retrofit planning, including system selection, spatial layout, compliance with international standards, and integration of advanced modeling tools. While many retrofit projects prioritize efficiency and cost, fewer have addressed long-term monitoring or biological risk mitigation. Differences in regulatory frameworks across countries create compliance gaps, while newer risks, such as persistent microorganisms and radioactive discharge, remain difficult to control with current systems. Emerging tools, including real-time monitoring devices and genetic testing methods, offer promise for improving system performance and post-installation validation. Retrofit planning increasingly incorporates digital engineering, helping to reduce installation time and minimize costs. Global cooperation remains essential, especially when managing compliance in international waters. Addressing both known and emerging challenges requires a combination of strong technical planning, legal harmonization, and environmental awareness. A more integrated approach will support sustainable marine operations and help safeguard ocean ecosystems from the long-term effects of untreated ballast water.

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Cite this article:

Sari, W. R., Gunawan, & Muzhoffar, D. A. F. (2026). Trend for ballast water treatment system retrofits. Maritime Technology and Research, 8(1), 281429. https://doi.org/10.33175/mtr.2026.281429

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Highlights

The study uses an integrated, three-stage framework comprising descriptive, bibliometric, and systematic analysis to comprehensively assess the landscape of BWTS retrofit research. This multi-faceted approach goes beyond a simple summary to generate new insights into the interplay of technological, regulatory, and operational factors.
Ultraviolet (UV) treatment is the most dominant and cost-effective BWTS technology, with 72 publications in the abstract, reflecting its prominence in research. However, UV efficiency is highly dependent on water quality, and studies found system failures in waters with high Total Suspended Solids (TSS). In addition to UV, electrolysis and ozonation are also widely adopted, with electrolysis showing growing research interest, as evidenced by 74 publications by abstract.
Seven key stages for retrofitting BWTS are defined, including assessment and planning, space selection, regulatory compliance, BWTS method selection, engineering drawing and 3D modeling, installation planning, and commissioning and integration.
Global research trends show that the United States and China are the leaders in BWTS research. China has the highest number of documents with 61 and citations with 800. The United States, while having fewer documents, shows a stronger collaboration link strength about 117 compared to China's about 67, indicating a more prominent role in shaping research directions through its collaborative network.
The use of advanced tools like 3D scanning and CAD modeling is increasing to improve retrofit efficiency and reduce costs. These methodologies have been shown to cut project time by approximately 25 % and total costs by about 15 %. Furthermore, frameworks like fuzzy logic and life-cycle costing are used to help ship operators make optimal decisions based on various criteria, including cost and operational constraints.

Harnessing mangrove phytoremediation for coastal heavy metal pollution: A chemical environmental perspective

Said Ali Akbar — 2025-11-09

Mangrove ecosystems play a vital role in mitigating heavy metal (HM) contamination in coastal regions due to their unique biological and ecological characteristics. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the phytoremediation capacity of mangrove species, with a focus on their mechanisms of HM uptake, accumulation, and translocation. Various species, such as Avicennia marina, Kandelia candel, and Rhizophora stylosa, demonstrate notable bioconcentration factors (e.g., BCF_root up to 12.3 for Cd) and selective metal compartmentalization, particularly in roots, thereby minimizing translocation to aerial parts (e.g., TF as low as 0.05 for Pb). The analysis of metal concentrations across different mangrove sites worldwide reveals that sediment composition, sampling depth, and anthropogenic activities significantly influence HM distribution. Mechanistic processes including redox potential modulation, rhizosphere oxidation, and associations with microbial communities further enhance the immobilization and detoxification of metals such as Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Hg. As a narrative review, this article consolidates global findings and highlights species-specific strategies (e.g., tolerance differences among Avicennia and Rhizophora) and ecological thresholds (e.g., salinity tolerance ranges of 10 - 35 PSU, optimal redox potential above –100 mV, and metal concentration limits beyond which growth declines). Future prospects include integrating molecular tools, designing engineered mangrove wetlands, and developing policy-driven restoration initiatives. Ultimately, mangrove-based phytoremediation contributes not only to coastal pollution control, but also to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), while supporting real-world applications, such as coastal restoration planning and nature-based solutions.

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Cite this article:

Akbar, S. A., Jalil, Z., Octavina, C., Setiawan, I., Ulfah, M., Iqbal, T. H., & Miswar, E. (2026). Harnessing mangrove phytoremediation for coastal heavy metal pollution: A chemical environmental perspective. Maritime Technology and Research, 8(1), 281734. https://doi.org/10.33175/mtr.2026.281734

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Highlights

Mangroves act as natural biofilters mitigating coastal heavy metal pollution.
Species-specific uptake shows Kandelia candel excels in Cd root sequestration.
Redox and salinity modulate HM mobility, shaping phytoremediation efficiency.
Antioxidant defenses and vacuolar storage sustain tolerance under HM stress.
Mangrove-based strategies align with SDGs via restoration and pollution control.

Adoption of social media as a learning technology in maritime education

Al Montaser Mohammad — 2025-11-03

This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the intention to use social media for learning among maritime students. It examines and applies the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to examine key constructs such as perceived usefulness, ease of use, and enjoyment. The goal is to offer information that can guide the incorporation of social media into educational strategies in maritime and related fields. The study applies the TAM to explore students' intentions to use social media for learning. A questionnaire based on TAM constructs was administered to 104 maritime students at University Malaysia Terengganu. The data were analyzed to test hypotheses about the relationships among key factors, including perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived enjoyment. The findings revealed that the most preferred social media platforms for learning are WhatsApp, YouTube, and Facebook. The model demonstrated a good fit, with seven out of nine hypotheses supported. However, perceived enjoyment did not significantly influence the intention to use or the attitude toward using social media for learning. The study is limited to maritime students at a single Malaysian university, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Future research could explore diverse student populations and additional factors influencing social media adoption for learning. This study contributes to understanding how social media can be effectively integrated into educational practices. These insights provide practical guidance for designing learning models that leverage social media technologies to enhance educational outcomes.

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Cite this article:

Mohammad, A. M., Sohaimi, N. A. F. B., Menhat, M. N. S., & Ariffin, E. H. (2026). Adoption of social media as a learning technology in maritime education. Maritime Technology and Research, 8(1), 281935. https://doi.org/10.33175/mtr.2026.281935

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Highlights
This study presented the most preferred social media platform for learning, according to maritime management students. WhatsApp is the most preferred social media platform for learning, followed by Facebook and YouTube. The findings explained the factors that influence ITU social media for learning among maritime students according to the extended TAM, which are PU, PEOU, JR, and ITU, whereas the other three factors consist of external variables, which are PE, EXP, and attitudes toward use. Additionally, attitudes toward use (AOU) are actually influenced by PU, PEOU, and PE factors, where students who are eager and responsible for their learning want to use social media tools to be easy to use and access, social media to be mostly user friendly, and sufficient information on certain subjects to be provided and be useful for group study or socializing with other friends.

Operating autonomous tanker vessels in Malaysian territorial waters: Focus on security and emergency response preparedness

Rasyidah Mohd Sani — 2025-10-08

This research investigates Malaysia’s preparedness for deploying autonomous tanker vessels within its territorial waters, with an emphasis on cybersecurity and emergency response strategies. The study fills a critical research gap by analyzing the perspectives of 100 maritime stakeholders, including shipowners, port authorities, regulatory bodies, and cybersecurity experts, to assess the technological, infrastructural, and policy challenges Malaysia faces in adopting autonomous shipping. The methodology integrates qualitative interviews and surveys to explore concerns such as cybersecurity risks, emergency response mechanisms, and port infrastructure readiness. Key findings reveal moderate awareness of autonomous technologies, with significant concerns about cybersecurity vulnerabilities, the absence of adequate regulatory frameworks, and infrastructural deficiencies. Public acceptance of these technologies remains a challenge, highlighting the need for better stakeholder engagement. Recommendations focus on enhancing cybersecurity protocols, developing comprehensive emergency response systems, and fostering regional collaboration to support a smooth transition to autonomous maritime operations in Malaysia.

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Cite this article:

Sani, R. M., & Suhrab, M. I. R. (2026). Operating autonomous tanker vessels in Malaysian territorial waters: Focus on security and emergency response preparedness. Maritime Technology and Research, 8(1), 277455. https://doi.org/10.33175/mtr.2026.277455

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Highlights

There are gaps in infrastructure and cybersecurity, but there is a moderate awareness of autonomous vessels and confidence in technology.
Stakeholders are unaware of particular protocols for autonomous vessels and are worried about cybersecurity threats.
Emergency response systems must be improved, with an emphasis on fail-safe procedures and real-time monitoring.
Public trust and awareness of autonomous vessels are low, requiring better communication and engagement to address safety concerns.
Malaysia needs to improve cybersecurity, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks for safe integration of autonomous vessels.

Ranking barriers to green port development: A neutrosophic-fuzzy ISM approach

Nguyen Minh Duc — 2025-10-10

Green ports represent a critical evolution in maritime logistics, transforming traditional seaports into environmentally conscious hubs that balance operational efficiency with sustainability. This study investigates the complex barriers hindering green port implementation using a hybrid neutrosophic-fuzzy Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) approach. Ten experts from port management, operations, and environmental fields gave their opinions. The study used a special neutrosophic fuzzy scale to measure unclear and uncertain expert views on 15 barriers. Results show that financial availability (FA) and high initial cost (HIC) are the biggest problems. FA scored a truth value of 0.94 and falsity of 0.06, making it the top concern. Regulatory complexity (RC) also matters, but has more uncertainty. Technical problems like lack of capacity (LTC) and technology readiness barriers (TRB) have mixed effects depending on context. Driving-dependence analysis puts FA, HIC, and RC as the main drivers, while LTC acts as a linkage barrier. Monte Carlo sensitivity tests prove the model is stable, confirming financial and regulatory barriers as priorities. This framework helps port leaders understand how barriers relate and where to invest. It supports closing the gap between green port goals and real implementation, aiming for ports that support both the economy and the environment.

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Cite this article:

Duc, N. M., & Nguyen, L. H. (2026). Ranking barriers to green port development: A neutrosophic-fuzzy ISM approach. Maritime Technology and Research, 8(1), 281958. https://doi.org/10.33175/mtr.2026.281958

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Highlights

Neutrosophic–fuzzy modeling maps green port barriers with precision.
Finance, cost, and regulation consistently drive system outcomes.
Technical capacity links drivers to performance, amplifying impacts.
Monte Carlo sensitivity confirms stable rankings and insights.
Clear actions: unlock financing, streamline permits, upskill teams.

Time series modeling of greenhouse gas emissions: A case study for a chemical tanker ship

Firat Bolat — 2025-10-19

Maritime transportation is, relatively, responsible for a small fraction of the total emissions; however, it is significant in the context of global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has charted out an extensive program in its strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. This research employs Box-Jenkins time series modeling for analysis and forecasting of CO₂ and total sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions by GHG index, as well as ton-mile-based emissions, utilizing actual data from the engine of a chemical tanker ship. Time series analysis can develop effective regulatory and operational strategies, as underlined by this research that investigates how operations, regulations, and technology influence profiles of emissions. By carrying out the Box-Jenkins methodology, incorporating autocorrelation moving average integrated autoregressive integrated variables, this study presents a modeling study that corrects importance in future policies emission reductions. Results obtained from strict model choice, validation, and assessment give useful input into emission patterns, and can be used as a foundation for more study and policy making aimed at improving the environmental sustainability of shipping operations. Decision-makers in the shipping sector can leverage the findings of this study to implement similar evidence-based approaches.

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Cite this article:

Bolat, F. (2026). Time series modeling of greenhouse gas emissions: A case study for a chemical tanker ship. Maritime Technology and Research, 8(1), 278949. https://doi.org/10.33175/mtr.2026.278949

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Highlights

Although maritime transport accounts for a relatively small share of total emissions, it constitutes a significant contributor to global carbon dioxide (CO₂) outputs.
This study utilises Box-Jenkins time series modelling to analyse and forecast CO₂ and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions, based on real-world engine data from a chemical tanker vessel.
Time series analysis is employed to assess how operational practices, regulatory frameworks, and technological interventions shape emission profiles.
Through rigorous model selection, validation, and evaluation, the research offers robust insights that may underpin future policy development in maritime emissions reduction.
The findings provide a valuable evidence base that can inform sustainable decision-making practices within the shipping industry.