5 minute read
PROJECTS FROM THE SOUTHAMPTON MARINE AND MARITIME INSTITUTE
WORKING TOGETHER FOR MARITIME CARBON REDUCTION
The shipping sector is deemed to be responsible for approximately 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions –equivalent to the whole of Germany. However, because of the high energy demands and remote operations of ships, it is technically one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise. Due to the expected increase in global trade in the next decades, shipping emissions are likely to increase unless there is radical change in the fuels used to power ships.
At the end of 2023, the Institute for Maritime Law (IML) and the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) hosted a Conference on Sustainability in the Shipping and Maritime Sector, bringing together contributors from different disciplines and sectors.
Academic, industry and regulatory speakers, chairs and rapporteurs contributed their expertise, from Oceanography and Environment to Technology Vectors, Industry and the Legal/ Regulatory framework. The event was funded by Gard AS through the GARD/IML Research Fund.
This was the first step of an ongoing project on sustainability in the shipping sector. Taking a multidisciplinary approach to the environmental challenges confronting the maritime industry, the project will look to ensure that maritime operations can become more sustainable, while remaining safe and efficient.
The project will lead to the publication of guidelines on how to render the shipping and maritime industry sustainable in the long term. The combination of IML and SMMI expertise will enable the University of Southampton to continue leading the debate on this crucial issue.
INTERDISCIPLINARY GROUPS TACKLING OCEAN CHALLENGES
The SMMI Special Interest Groups (SIGs) bring together experts working on similar topics and solving related problems in marine and maritime. These groups provide opportunities for networking, collaboration, and developing joint bids to combine efforts in the pursuit of ocean solutions. By focusing on interdisciplinary engagement, the SIGs create bridges between disciplines at the University and beyond.
“These groups are useful when there are funding calls, but also when we’re working with external partners from government, third sector or business organisations,” said SMMI Director Professor Damon Teagle. “Whether they’re looking for an AI solution or to analyse different plastics being found in fish, we can point them to a ready-made community of expertise.”
There are seven SIGs, each led by champions representing different faculties or schools:
• Coastal Communities focuses on changes in physical and social coastal environments
• Digital Oceans looks at applying digital innovations like Cloud Computing and AI in the marine and maritime space
• Healthy Oceans links researchers in all aspects of marine biology
• Maritime Decarbonisation focuses on greener shipping and ports
• Nature-based Ocean Solutions looks at how nature-inspired ocean solutions can address societal and engineering challenges
• Ocean Energy focuses on unlocking the potential of ocean renewable energy
• Ocean Justice looks at the meaning of justice and law in the context of the ocean
SIG Membership is open to anyone within or outside of the University of Southampton with an interest in the group topic, including students, and industry and government partners.
RAISING WRECKS THROUGH DIGITAL MODELLING
Dr Felix Pedrotti from the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute has a background in maritime archaeology and specialises in creating digital twins. These are 3D models of real-life objects or environments, usually created via photogrammetry – taking photographs from multiple perspectives – or via laser-scanning.
“This method allows us to bring underwater archaeology to the surface digitally,” said Felix. “We can then perform tests and take measurements which allow us to understand the scale of the site and begin reconstructing the past.”
Felix brought these skills to a recent collaboration with the SMMI’s partners at the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI). He assisted their multidisciplinary team across several projects.
Marine biology researchers wanted to explore the potential of 3D modelling as a more accurate and less costly method for monitoring the health of the endemic endangered coral species Cladocora caespitosa. These corals build large structures which support wider biodiversity. Monitoring that can accurately assess structural changes is essential for effective conservation.
Meanwhile a team of robotics engineers were interested in deploying the same technology to monitor the condition of marinas and other infrastructure. This removes the need to send down human divers into busy shipping environments.
The collaboration also focused on improving the safety of diving tourism in Cyprus. The team created 3D models of wrecks popular with divers, while developing and testing Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to collect digital photorealistic datasets. “We can give divers the models to help them visualise the various routes and their suitability for different skill levels. Every year, some shipwrecks in Cyprus, unfortunately, hit the news because of accidents, but when divers can plan more accurately or see which areas to avoid, it safeguards against that.”
The CMMI and its partnership with the SMMI are funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and matching funding from the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.
