Artificial neural networks (ANN) are the most commonly used algorithms for image classification problems. An image classifier takes an image or video as input and classifies it into one of the possible categories that it was trained to identify. They are applied in various areas such as security, defense, healthcare, biology, forensics, communication, etc. There is no need to create one’s own ANN because there are several pre-trained networks already available. The aim of the SHREC projects (automatic ship recognition and identification) is to classify and identify the vessels based on images obtained from closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. For this purpose, a dataset of vessel images was collected during 2018, 2019, and 2020 video measurement campaigns. The authors of this article used three pre-trained neural networks, GoogLeNet, AlexNet, and SqeezeNet, to examine the classification possibility and assess its quality. About 8000 vessel images were used, which were categorized into seven categories: barge, special-purpose service ships, motor yachts with a motorboat, passenger ships, sailing yachts, kayaks, and others. A comparison of the results using neural networks to classify floating inland units is presented.

Good quality in composite castings can be confirmed primarily by their user. The producer is obliged to create a good product that meets the user’s needs that should undergo quality control. Omission of technological procedures and improper quality control may result in various defects like porosity. This paper presents the characteristics of the casting defect, namely porosity, with a particular focus on porosity in suspension and saturated metal composites. This defect is different, specific to composite castings, making its identification very difficult. The aim of the study is to detect and describe porosity in composites with the use of microscopic and submicroscopic examinations. The assessment of the porosity of the microstructure of composite castings allowed for the formulation of the following conclusions: in addition to the porosity that occurs in castings of classic materials (cast steel, cast iron, and non-ferrous metal alloys), metal composites also distinguish between primary and secondary agglomerates, leaving the reinforcement space not filled, occluded bubbles, and separated gas bubbles.

This paper examines the effect of the stern wedge length and height on the drag and trim of a chine-planing hull in calm water. To this end, fluid flow was simulated by Star-CCM+ software by applying an overset mesh and k-ε turbulent model. The finite volume method was used to discretize the fluid domain, and the fluid volume was utilized to capture the generated free surface. The considered model is a prismatic planing hull with a deadrise angle of 24°, a mass of 86 kg, a length (L) of 2.64 m, and a beam (B) of 0.55 m. For validation, the numerical results of drag and trim were compared against experimental data, which displayed good compliance. Subsequently, the hydrodynamic performance of the planing hull was investigated, and the wedge effect was assessed. The stern wedge was located at the bottom and near the aft perpendicular to the hull to facilitate a moderate distribution. Various wedge lengths of 0.2B, 0.5B, and B at two different heights of 5 mm and 10 mm were examined to assess the hydrodynamic performance of the hull at various speeds. The trim angle, resistance, water surface elevation, porpoising, roster tail, and the stern and bow were computed and analyzed. Based on the numerical results, it was concluded that when the wedge length increased, the drag and trim were reduced. It was also concluded that the best wedge for a vessel with desirable wake generation is one with a length of 0.2B and a height of 5 mm.

Team coaching is currently used as a tool to help businesses cope with the process of managing team maturity. This article aims to present a team development process based on the High Performance Team Coaching Model. In the first part of the article, the theoretical essence of team coaching and the specificity of the team coaching process is characterized, together with detailing specific tools at each stage. In the second part of the article, the author describes the implementation process of the High Performance Team Coaching Model in business practice. The main research methods used in the article include literature studies and a case study based on the author’s observations and experience working as a coach/trainer in a project team.

This study discusses the marine accident involving the Cosco Busan, the container ship that hit the base of the Delta Tower of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in November 2007. An analysis of the elements resulting in the accident and its consequences has been carried out, followed by an analysis of the navigational risk using mathematical and tabular values. Mathematical values refer to the navigational risk in a specific sailing area, while tabular values refer to the navigational risk using a risk assessment. The main goal of this research was to identify and propose new measures that are correlated with a risk assessment. These measures should be applied in areas where an accident takes place so that future marine accidents can be reduced.

Drones are entering the maritime sector and have successfully increased safety and security. They can effectively replace humans, and where life and health are at risk during operations such as tank or hull inspections, they can be used in a fully remote capacity. They are used to transport spare parts, documents, medicine, etc. between land and ships at sea or on the roadstead, which may increase safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drones can control traffic and the emission of pollutants from ships, detect pirates, monitor areas, and support operations. They are used in search and rescue missions and also provide modern technologies like 5G and others. Drones are reliable and effective, and their use minimizes costs and reduces time. This paper presents a current review of the state of knowledge on the use of drones in the maritime sector. It takes into consideration the opportunities of their utilisation and presents possibilities and examples of successful drone exploitation by various entities such as classification societies, shipyards, search and rescue (SAR) missions, and others. The benefits and limitations and a roadmap for drones in shipping are also analysed. An application forecast for the Polish maritime sector in the West Pomeranian and Pomeranian Regions is also delivered in the paper. Desk research methodology was used to review the literature to identify the set goals by analysing literature reports, articles, and materials published by beneficiaries using drones successfully, as well as inquiries and market offers.

The main objective of this article was to provide an overview of the polyurethane industry and waste treatment methods to identify the best method for polyurethane (PUR) reprocessing (recycling). To understand the need for recycling, existing knowledge will be referenced. Many literature studies discuss the role of recyclates in the polyurethane industry. According to these, the best available options to recapture value, for example, from raw materials, are polyurethane recycling and energy recovery. The research material was created via the glycolysis of polyurethane foam scrap. The experiments in this work include the glycolysis of polyurethane foam with a complex discussion of materials (polyurethane foam, glycols, catalysts, and properties of the obtained recyclate). Based on the research, analyses, and tests carried out related to glycolysis, the most appropriate conditions to recover polyols from scrap were the following reaction conditions: temperature 170–190°C; pH – basic; and atmosphere (air), which was the same for all samples. A total of 14 samples were tested. Two samples GL:12 [6:1] and GL 13 [8:1] were futher investigated. The numbers presented in brackets [6:1] mean that a ratio of 180 g of polyurethane foam and 30 g 1-3-propyleneglycol was used. The outstanding properties of glycolysate samples called GL:12 [6:1] and GL 13 [8:1] were achieved thanks to the ranges of the basic parameters (dosage time, time after dosage). The sample GL:12 [6:1] – dosage time 20 min and time after dosage 15 min and the GL 13 [8:1] sample – dosage time 22 min and time after dosage 15 min. The apparatus used for glycolysis included: reactor +heater, stirrer, feeder, reflux condenser, thermocouple, and temperature regulator. By analyzing the obtained results, it can be concluded that the most promising polyurethane waste management process is glycolysis.

Dear Readers, This is the second 2021 issue of our journal (No. 66). We are slowly seeing the world normalize after the COVID-19 pandemic, and we look forward to a complete return to our usual routines and to meeting again at conferences, seminars and research internships. Let us all hope that this will come true soon. Research results and author opinions are presented across seven articles in this issue, which are summarized in three thematic groups: Civil Engineering and Transport, Mechanical Engineering and Economics, Management and Quality Science.

Many factors affect ship values, but the most important is freight rates. This effect is more dynamic, especially in the dry bulk market, which has characteristics close to a perfectly competitive market. The literature does not provide a complete answer about whether the effects of freight on ship values differ by ship type and age in the market; therefore, this study examined the effect of changes in the freight rates of the main ship types used in the dry bulk market on their values in different age groups. The ship types included in the study are Capesize, Panamax, and Handymax vessels, while the age groups are newbuilds, 5-year-old, and 10-year-old ships. Individual regression models were established and analyses were applied for each category. According to the obtained results, smaller vessels were more affected by changes in freight rates, and the effect of changes in freight rate increased with the age of the ship. Also, the price volatility of smaller ships was lower, while it was higher for older ships. It is hoped that these results may provide comparative results by ship type and guide industry stakeholders in reducing risks.

This article discusses issues related to the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) of Polish universities. The first part of the article presents the essence of CSR, and the next part focuses on the degree of involvement of universities in Poland in CSR activities. Afterwards, the CSR activities were grouped based on conceptual areas in accordance with the ISO 26000 standard. Moreover, the most popular socially responsible tools and practices at Polish universities were analysed. The main aim of the article is to present the level of corporate social responsibility and identify its main areas at the top 10 universities in Poland according to The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021. The article uses the literature query method and analyses and evaluates documents, reports, and websites. The research carried out at the top 10 Polish universities showed that all these entities are involved in socially responsible activities by taking into account social, environmental, and employee aspects in their activities. They are organizations that feel responsible for their activities and take into account the needs of their stakeholders, both internal and external.

Environmental pollution is a growing concern for many organizations, commissions, state governments, and companies. The use of fossil fuels in transportation contributes significantly to increased emissions of harmful sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Maritime transport, as one of the largest emitters of such harmful compounds, has encountered many emission restrictions and legal limitations. These include the creation of areas of strict exhaust gas control (ECA). According to the MARPOL Convention, Annex VI, Special Emission Control Areas have been in force since 01.01.2015, and they include the following areas: the Baltic Sea, North Sea, North America (covering the designated coasts of the USA and Canada and portions of the Caribbean Sea near the USA). According to current regulations, vessels providing services in ECAs are required to maintain sulphur oxide emissions that do not exceed 0.1%. The introduction of new regulations results in costs that have to be covered by shipowners. To meet these standards, the two most popular methods are the use of special flushing systems (scrubbers) and low-sulphur fuels (e.g., LNG). This publication addresses the use of LNG as fuel for the main propulsion of sea-going vessels operating in areas covered by strict sulphur emission controls. It also presents LNG demand forecasts for various ship types, as well as possible solutions satisfying the Sulphur Directive. The purpose of this paper is to present a way to determine the size of the global demand for LNG. The percentage of vessels powered by LNG and other fuels was used as a basis for estimating global LNG demand in shipping until 2030.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the strict anti-epidemic measures introduced by various countries have accelerated the transformation of tourism around the world. The industry has lost hundreds of billions of dollars and millions of jobs. At the same time, digital startups have entered the market, and new opportunities for individual tours and formats of international cooperation have appeared. Trends for modern travelers are widespread lowcost, p2p services for tourists, which exclude intermediaries from the supply chain and allow the creation of unique and personalized travel experiences. At the present stage of the tourism sector development, information technologies and software tools play an important role. Evolution and technological progress have penetrated the tourism market and the organization of excursion activities. For example, unique multimedia guides for mobile phones using GPS navigation have been developed for tourists. Historically, transport has been a fundamental component of the tourism sector and has allowed tourists to travel comfortably and quickly. Advantages and disadvantages of a trip throughout a city on a sightseeing bus are considered. In this paper, we analyze the most popular market software for mobile applications for navigating tourists during travel. Such applications are generally very popular due to a high level of modern societal mobility and the need for operational navigation, primarily in new urban spaces. The market is quite saturated with software from different manufacturers, and such high competition dictates requirements for functionality and services provided to a user; therefore, manufacturers are forced to expand additional services to increase their competitiveness. Tourists’ basic requirements for mobile applications on a trip were determined by tourist canvassing. Suggestions for improving mobile applications to navigate tourists on trips are provided, and special attention has been paid to creating the most comfortable and optimized excursion methods while taking into account tourist wishes.

The results of finite element analysis of large machined rotor fastened into heavy precise lathe are reported. Many design changes are simulated to improve the dynamic rigidity of the machining. Three radial eigenmodes detrimental to the accuracy were revealed: rotor-stock bending at 17.7 Hz (“half-wave”), rotor-lathe bending at 36.1 Hz (“full-wave”), and “support rocking” at 68.1 Hz. The frequency response functions and dynamic rigidities were evaluated. Three compliance issues were revealed: angular flexibility of the spindle console, low stiffness of the lathe bed (with boots), and an excessively slender tailstock. It is proposed to transform the spindle chuck into a table with additional hydrostatic backing, fill the bed cavities with concrete, and redesign the tailstock as a counter-spindle unit. This will decrease the amplitude of the main rotor resonance by 6.3 times and upshift the frequency near two-fold from 17.7 to 35 Hz. The renovated lathe should be able to machine a rotor without a lunette system or overriding the main resonant frequency.

Dear Readers, We are pleased to present this year’s first issue (No. 65) of the Scientific Journals of the Maritime University of Szczecin. This year will bring many new challenges, also for the journal, where we continually focus on improved quality. We would like to thank the authors, reviewers and readers for their contribution to our journal. I hope that we will continue to develop this path together. This issue presents the research results and authors’ views in seven articles organized into three thematic sections: Civil Engineering and Transport, Mechanical Engineering, and Economics, Management and Quality Science. The Civil Engineering and Transport section features two articles. The first article presents an analysis of internal forces and roll motion during a nodule loading simulation for a ship at sea. The study carried out a full assessment of a ship’s behaviour during loading, which took into account wave height and period around the Clarion–Clipperton Zone by the use of an operational efficiency index. The second article addresses the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The Convention aims to improve the safety of life at sea by laying down rules and regulations for the construction of ships and providing models for the documents created. The Mechanical Engineering section consists of three articles. In the first article, the authors analysed the special configuration of a multi-role moving-column machining centre by the finite element method. In the second article, a CFD-based numerical approach was developed and applied to a trimaran hull in the presence of regular and irregular waves. According to the authors, the proposed CFD method reduces the simulation time and calculation resources needed to determine a ship’s motion. The third article presents the results of the testing of long-distance heat transfer surfaces in marine diesel engines, including elliptical and flat-oval tubes. The study used mathematical models that involved equations from conservation of energy, equations of motion, continuity and state, where the RSM of turbulence was also used to complete the equation system. The Economics, Management and Quality Science section includes two articles. The first article analyses the factors affecting the performance of VTS operators. Its general conclusion is that the effective work of VTS operators, combined with a specific maritime environment and vessel traffic management support system, are the key determinants for ensuring the reliability and safety of the entire system. The second article’s authors wanted to see if a multi-criteria analysis was appropriate for the evaluation and implementation of energy-efficient mobility in seaports. The multi-criteria model for the selection of the most appropriate energy-efficient mobility solution was tested for two Croatian private marinas. The articles featured in this issue reflect the authors’ theoretical and practical inspirations, contributing to important and state-of-the-art scientific research. We believe that these findings will become the basis for further reflection, discussion, and broader research.

A holistic approach and stakeholder consultation are necessary before implementing a particular city logistics measure. The need to implement sustainable urban logistics solutions is particularly important in seaports located in cities. Such cities, particularly Gdynia, have a high intensity of cargo flows resulting from transport connected with their port facilities. The purpose of this article was to identify the level of acceptance of sustainable and innovative urban logistics solutions by entities that use the services of the seaport in Gdynia. We investigated whether the proposed solutions found sufficient acceptance among the respondents, and which of the proposed solutions were the most preferred by stakeholders. We hypothesized that urban logistics solutions were not sufficiently accepted by the stakeholders of the seaport of Gdynia. In order to analyze the awareness of the involved parties, we surveyed parties at the Port of Gdynia as part of the Interreg project called TENTacle. Our findings did not support this hypothesis with respect to such measures as FQP, the use of interactive city maps, night deliveries, and the use of ITS, as these are the solutions most preferred by the stakeholders of Gdynia. The results of this study can therefore serve as an important tool for the city of Gdynia, and similar cities, when preparing sustainable urban logistics plans.