Environmental Risks in Maritime Logistics

This dissertation investigates the environmental risks associated with the maritime logistics environment in Australia. It discusses the background of the research, statement of the problem, research aims and objectives, research questions, and importance of the study. The dissertation also outlines the organizational structure of the research.

Running head: ENIVORNMENTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
ENVIRONEMTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
Introduction
Introduction
The emerging trends of globalization and population explosion, have paved the way for a
rapidly increasing demand for the supplying of goods and services all over the world (Grossman
and Helpman 2015). The process of shipping is concerned with the transmission of products and
items, in addition to the leisurely or business-oriented transport of customers, from one port, or
one country to another (Holguín-Veras et al. 2014). At present, shipping procedures have
encountered a number of modifications - ‘maritime logistics’ being one of the most advanced
and convenient approaches, with respect to the movement of merchandise across the supply and
delivery chain, from the manufacturers to the consumers or retail stores (Parola, Satta, and
Panayides 2015).
The following chapter of the dissertation concerned with an investigation of the
environmental risks associated with the maritime logistics environment in Australia, focuses on
the foundation principles of the concerned research, with respect to the research background,
aims and objectives, related questions and the overall study structure. There is also a brief
outlining of the background of the research, mentioning the pre-requisite information required
prior to the conductance of the concerned dissertation.
Background of the Research
The aspects of ‘globalization’ are widely prevalent worldwide, and imply the
establishment of associated networks amongst organizations and industries, inhabiting numerous
cultures and countries, on an international scale (Pieterse 2015). The rapid incidences in

2ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
globalization, has enhanced its extension to a number of fields, beyond merely organizations,
including technological aspects, cross cultural transmission of social and cultural values, and
most importantly, transport (Baylis, Smith and Owens 2017). With respect to the aforementioned
flourishing of multicultural, globalized networks, significant amendments have been reflected in
the associated areas of transport, where organizations dealing with the execution of logistics and
shipment have to undergo considerable transformations, in order to fulfill the emerging demands
of a cross cultural as well as decentralized economy (Knight 2015).
The industries concerned with the shipment of various items and merchandise, forms the
crux of the development of today’s rapidly transforming economy and transport sector (Lau et al.
2017). The existence, along with the optimum functioning of global as well as nationwide
shipping procedures is imperative for the feasible and accountable availability of products and
travelling of individuals across the planet (Chan, Maclsaac and Bailey 2015). With this respect,
the adoption of practices concerned with efficient ‘maritime logistics’ is inevitable for
maintenance of efficiency in the movement of goods across various retail stores as well as
customers across the globe (Marti and Puertas 2017).
‘Maritime Logistics’ is a novel, complex and integrative procedure with regards to
shipping services at present, which aim for the enhanced transport of merchandise or cargo with
the aid of ships, through appropriate transportation networks outlining rivers, canals or oceans,
with the utilization of fuel friendly and cost effective approaches (Yuen and Thai 2017). While
efficient conductance of the regulation of movement of goods across various organizational
platforms comprises of the primary characteristics of maritime functioning – it is however, not
devoid of significant risks (Kalogeraki et al. 2018). With respect to the concerned field of study
outlined in this dissertation, the emphasized risk investigation would be evaluated through

3ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
environmental dimensions. Ships comprise the heart of the department concerned with maritime
logistics and hence considerable environmental impacts are presented by the functioning of the
same, which includes generation of solid non-biodegradable waste materials, effluent secretion
as resultant products of cleaning and sewerage procedures, spillage of oils, followed by release
of noise as well as atmospheric pollutants (Bengtsson, Fridell and Andersson 2014).
Additionally, risks and impacts subjected to the ship via environmental mechanisms, driven by
ongoing alterations and unpredictability in global warming and climatic patterns also inflict
considerable negative consequences in the functioning of maritime logistics (Brynolf 2014).
The country of Australia ranks fifth worldwide in the usage of ships and shipping
services, with a vast array of over 11,000 ships and 600 port establishments, establishing
communication with 65 Australian ports (Vince et al. 2015). With respect to the emerging
environmental and climatic alterations overcome by the country of Australia every year,
considerable environmental risks are associated with the maritime logistics department of the
country. There has been an increasing prevalence of natural calamities in Australia, which
exhibit considerable negative implications in the functioning of maritime operations through
damage incurred in the concerned ports (Taylor 2015). The accumulation of aquatic as well as
solid industrial wastes also inflict considerable damage on the functioning of the required ships,
further posing as a risk in the maritime logistics department of Australia. In response to the
existence of such risks, there is hence a conductance of various risk evaluation, assessment and
mitigation procedures performed in Australia, which shall be discussed in detail, in the following
chapters of this dissertation (Lindstad and Eskeland 2016).
With respect to the country of Australia, there is a requirement for significant risk
management strategies are involved for the purpose of mitigating the environmental impacts of

4ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
shipment and maritime logistics. The ports of Australia concerned with the travelling and
commuting of ships, are required to be assessed and evaluated, resulting in the formulation of an
appropriate risk regulation plan, which will aid in the reduction of losses encountered due to
environmental consequences. This requires thorough and extensive planning, which will begin
with the assessment of the types of risks encountered, followed by adequate communication to
the managerial processes, for the purpose of highlighting the rate of damaged possibly incurred,
and the required decision making procedures to regulate the same (Liu et al. 2016).
Upon completion of the required decision-making procedures, followed by their
execution, shipping organizations and ports in Australia, can then focus on implementation of the
required amendments for the management of environmental risks upon the department dealing
with maritime logistics (Sahim and Kum 2015). This would involve possible technological
innovations in the functioning and performance of the concerned ships, which can include
adoption of excess, surplus or waste energy and effluent reutilization by the ships concerned,
further resulting in reduced environmentally harmful emissions (Vander Hoorn and Knapp
2015). This would lead to considerable regulation of the possible environmental impact, and the
investigation of the same, followed by possible similar recommendations have been focused
upon in the following sections of this dissertation.
Hence, there is a requirement of extensive risk assessment, evaluation and mitigation by
Australia, which will be investigated and discussed elaborately with respect to this dissertation.
Statement of the Problem
While the process of maritime logistics proves to be an extensive and efficient
mechanism for the execution of efficient transport of goods and services across organizational,

5ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
customer and international networks, there lies considerable problems in the execution of the
same. A number of risks are associated with maritime logistics, mainly financial complications,
safety of humans and environmental implications (Chang, Xu and Song 2015). This dissertation
focuses on the investigation of the environmental risks, which contribute as a major problem for
the implementation of maritime logistics in Australia.
Research Aims and Objectives
The aim of this dissertation is to investigate the environmental risks associated with the
functioning of maritime logistics in the country of Australia.
The objectives of the dissertation are as follows:
 To evaluate the ongoing maritime logistics department in Australia, with respect to its
network, functioning and implications.
 To investigate the various environmental risks in Australia, with regards to the maritime
logistics department, followed by an evaluation of ongoing risk management procedures
aiming to mitigate the same.
 To recommend additional risk mitigation procedures which may be employed, for the
eradication and regulation of environmental risks in the maritime logistics department of
Australia.
Research Questions
The research questions of the dissertation are as follows:
 RQ1: What are the various environmental impacts and risks, encountered or inflicted, by
the maritime logistics department of Australia, at present?

6ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
 RQ2: What are the various risk management and mitigation procedures employed by the
maritime logistics department situated in Australia, as a response to the ongoing
environmental risks?
 RQ3: What additional risk mitigation and management procedures can be recommended
or implemented, for the management of environmental risks encountered due to maritime
logistics in the context of Australia?
Importance of Study
This dissertation aims to investigate the environmental risks encountered by the
department of maritime logistics in Australia, with respect to the country of Australia. Rapid
enhancement of globalization has ushered the need for efficient transformations in the field of
transport, with the emerging advances in shipping, being an imperative amendment in order to
facilitate the transport of goods across businesses and their potential consumers, cross culturally
(Peyvel and Lan 2016). Maritime Logistics is an impressive development with regards to the
shipment of goods and merchandise, which is concerned with the efficient functioning of various
commercial businesses by creating diverse consumer and organizational relationships, through
enhanced delivery of products (Lyonnet 2015). However, considerable environmental risks and
impacts are associated with the same, and the ignorance of which, will lead to considerable
negative repercussions on the deliverance of goods and global climatic background (Poulsen,
Ponte and Lister 2016). Australia remains victim to significant climatic alterations, as an impact
of the worldwide negative environmental phenomena of global warming and greenhouse effects,
which yield considerable operational difficulties in its maritime logistics functioning (Broome et
al. 2016). Hence, an elaborate and extensive investigation, regarding the procedures
implemented by the Australian Government for the risk management of environmental risks in

7ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
maritime logistics, formulate the rationale of this dissertation, the outcomes of which will yield a
clarified understanding of the present day maritime functioning and possible amendments, with
respect to the country of Australia.
Organization of Research
The following paragraphs highlight the salient features of the overall structure of the
dissertation, which was essential in order to outline the organizational aspects required for the
conductance of optimum research.
Introduction
The addition of this chapter is essential in order to establish basic conceptual features of
the concerned topic, which will aid in the development of the pre-requisite knowledge required
for enhanced understanding of the concerned topic chosen for dissertation. In this chapter, a
summarized introductory outline has been discussed, with regards to the chosen topic for the
dissertation, involving the investigation of environmental risks prevalent in the maritime logistics
performance in Australia. Firstly, the section of ‘Introduction’ highlights the key concepts of
globalization, transport and shipping, and the associated relationship existing amongst the three,
resulting in the establishment of the requirement of maritime logistics. The following paragraphs
of this section also briefly discuss the context of environmental implications with regards to the
Australian maritime context. This is followed by a focus on the required research aims and
objectives to be covered, the required research questions to be answered during the dissertation
conductance, a statement of the problem, lastly followed by the declaration of the rationale
inspiring the performance of the mentioned research context.

8ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
Literature Review
The second chapter on review of literature, is considered to be one of the most essential
features in the formulation and conductance of any research. This chapter presents an extensive
and detailed analysis of the various researches, studies and information, performed and obtained
prior to the commencement of this dissertation, acquired during the procedure of research
conductance. The review of literature firstly begins with a summarized review of researches
concerned with outlining the key features of maritime logistics, the various types of ships
utilized and the primary functioning principles defining the performance of maritime logistics.
This is followed by studying and highlighting an extensive review with regards to the prior
research conducted, focusing on current global maritime statistics, the possibility of occurrences
of various types of the associated risks and a need for management of the same. Finally, the
chapter of review of literature, highlights previous researches and existing information
concerning the environmental alterations encountered by the country of Australia, the
implications of the same in its maritime logistics and the present risk management and mitigation
practice employed by the associated departments of the nation, to improve its environmental, as
well as maritime shipment scenario.
Research Methodology
This chapter of the concerned dissertation outlines the salient procedures and principles
employed for the conductance of research, which will ultimately yield in the provision of the
results required for the implementation, collection and analysis of data. A focus on the various
qualitative and quantitative methods utilized for data gathering and researching, along with
hypothesis formulation and the required statistical principles employed for the outlining of

9ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
necessary conclusions with regards to the investigation of environmental risks in maritime
logistics, considering the scenario of Australia, has been extensively discussed in this chapter.
Data Presentation
The concerned chapter aims at presenting and displaying the information gathered by the
research, during the conductance of the study. The data so obtained during research performance
will be highlighted in this chapter, through graphical modes of representation, with the
employment of tabular and graphical templates, and as well as pictorial display of the same.
Such modes of visual representation highlighted in this chapter, will aid in the analysis and
interpretation of the concerned data.
Analysis and Interpretation
This chapter outlined in the dissertation is concerned with the researching of the primary
and secondary data so obtained during data collection, with the usage of appropriate statistical
procedures. The analysis so conducted will aid in the interpretation of the obtained and arranged
data which will further prove to beneficial in the process of drawing conclusions regarding the
ongoing environmental risks encountered by the maritime logistics department of Australia. An
additional benefit of the data analysis, as outlined by this chapter, will be in the formulation of
recommendations regarding the possible mitigation principles which the government of Australia
can undertake, as an active response to the present occurrence of environmental risks in its
maritime logistics procedures.
Conclusion and Recommendations
This chapter outlines the final statements and conclusions derived upon data analysis,
which will form an essential part of the research conducted in this dissertation. Conclusions will

10ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
highlight the present maritime logistics scenario prevalent in Australia, followed by current
procedures utilized by the nation, for the purpose of risk management and mitigation of the
same. The section of ‘Recommendations’ mentioned in this chapter highlights the salient
modifications which the country of Australia can undertake, for the improvement of its
environmental risk management concerned with the performance of maritime logistics.
Chapter Summary
With respect to the above mentioned paragraphs, this summary aims to serve as an
introductory perspective to the concerned research topic of the dissertation. This chapter
highlights the key theoretical concepts pertaining to the functioning and risks of maritime
logistics in the globe in general and Australia in particular. The chapter also highlights the
necessary research aims and objectives, followed by the questions and problems to be covered in
this dissertation, along with a brief outline of the overall structure and organization of the
research, which was required to be adhered to, for the successful completion of this dissertation.
Hence, to conclude, the introductory chapter was formulated to ensure the dissemination of
primary information required prior to commencement of the dissertation.

11ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
References
Baylis, J., Smith, S. and Owens, P. eds., 2017. The globalization of world politics: an
introduction to international relations. Oxford University Press.
Bengtsson, S.K., Fridell, E. and Andersson, K.E., 2014. Fuels for short sea shipping: A
comparative assessment with focus on environmental impact. Proceedings of the Institution of
Mechanical Engineers, Part M: Journal of Engineering for the Maritime Environment, 228(1),
pp.44-54.
Broome, R.A., Cope, M.E., Goldsworthy, B., Goldsworthy, L., Emmerson, K., Jegasothy, E. and
Morgan, G.G., 2016. The mortality effect of ship-related fine particulate matter in the Sydney
greater metropolitan region of NSW, Australia. Environment international, 87, pp.85-93.
Brynolf, S., 2014. Environmental assessment of present and future marine fuels (No. 3687).
Chan, F.T., MacIsaac, H.J. and Bailey, S.A., 2015. Relative importance of vessel hull fouling
and ballast water as transport vectors of nonindigenous species to the Canadian Arctic. Canadian
Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 72(8), pp.1230-1242.
Chang, C.H., Xu, J. and Song, D.P., 2015. Risk analysis for container shipping: from a logistics
perspective. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 26(1), pp.147-171.
Grossman, G.M. and Helpman, E., 2015. Globalization and growth. American Economic
Review, 105(5), pp.100-104.
Holguín-Veras, J., Wang, C., Browne, M., Hodge, S.D. and Wojtowicz, J., 2014. The New York
City off-hour delivery project: lessons for city logistics. Procedia-Social and Behavioral
Sciences, 125, pp.36-48.

12ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
Kalogeraki, E.M., Papastergiou, S., Mouratidis, H. and Polemi, N., 2018. A Novel Risk
Assessment Methodology for SCADA Maritime Logistics Environments. Applied Sciences, 8(9),
p.1477.
Knight, J., 2015. Updated definition of internationalization. International higher education, (33).
Lau, Y.Y., Ducruet, C., Ng, A.K. and Fu, X., 2017. Across the waves: a bibliometric analysis of
container shipping research since the 1960s. Maritime Policy & Management, 44(6), pp.667-684.
Lindstad, H.E. and Eskeland, G.S., 2016. Environmental regulations in shipping: Policies leaning
towards globalization of scrubbers deserve scrutiny. Transportation Research Part D: Transport
and Environment, 47, pp.67-76.
Liu, L.C., Li, Q., Zhang, J.T. and Cao, D., 2016. Toward a framework of environmental risk
management for CO 2 geological storage in China: gaps and suggestions for future
regulations. Mitigation and adaptation strategies for global change, 21(2), pp.191-207.
Lyonnet, B., 2015. Assesment of Logistic Information Systems: The Contribution of Lean
Management–Application Case in the Maritime and Port Sector.
Martí, L. and Puertas, R., 2017. The importance of export logistics and trade costs in emerging
economies. Maritime Economics & Logistics, 19(2), pp.315-333.
Parola, F., Satta, G. and Panayides, P.M., 2015. Corporate strategies and profitability of maritime
logistics firms. Maritime Economics & Logistics, 17(1), pp.52-78.
Peyvel, E. and Lan, V.S.X., 2016. Tourism, urbanisation and globalisation in Vietnam. The IIAS
Newsletter, 73, pp.38-39.

13ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN MARITIME LOGISTICS
Pieterse, J.N., 2015. Globalization and culture: Global mélange. Rowman & Littlefield.
Poulsen, R.T., Ponte, S. and Lister, J., 2016. Buyer-driven greening? Cargo-owners and
environmental upgrading in maritime shipping. Geoforum, 68, pp.57-68.
Sahin, B. and Kum, S., 2015. Risk assessment of arctic navigation by using improved fuzzy-ahp
approach. International Journal of Maritime Engineering, 157(4), p.241.
Taylor, M., 2015. Global warming and climate change: what Australia knew and buried... then
framed a new reality for the public. ANU Press.
Vander Hoorn, S. and Knapp, S., 2015. A multi-layered risk exposure assessment approach for
the shipping industry. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 78, pp.21-33.
Vince, J., Smith, A.D., Sainsbury, K.J., Cresswell, I.D., Smith, D.C. and Haward, M., 2015.
Australia׳ s Oceans Policy: Past, present and future. Marine Policy, 57, pp.1-8.
Yuen, K.F. and Thai, V., 2017. Barriers to supply chain integration in the maritime logistics
industry. Maritime Economics & Logistics, 19(3), pp.551-572.