Ship Traffic Management: A Research Proposal on Employee Management

This research proposal delves into the critical aspects of ship traffic management, with a primary focus on the welfare and working conditions of seafarers. The study examines the impact of globalization on the shipping industry, the increase in ship construction, and the subsequent rise in the number of individuals employed in maritime roles. It highlights the challenges faced by seafarers, particularly concerning their treatment and the limited facilities available to them. The research employs a qualitative methodology, incorporating personal experiences and narratives to provide an in-depth understanding of the issues. The proposal outlines the research process, including formulating research questions, conducting literature reviews, and analyzing data to identify flaws and propose improvements in employee management and welfare. The importance of this research lies in addressing the often-overlooked concerns of seafarers and advocating for better working conditions and support systems within the shipping industry, including the provision of adequate rest facilities and opportunities for family involvement.

Running head: SHIP TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Ship Traffic Management
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

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Table of contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Choice of research area....................................................................................................................2
Methodology....................................................................................................................................3
Importance of the research...............................................................................................................4
Reference.........................................................................................................................................6

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Introduction
In the modern world, ship traffic management is one of the most common topics that
have escalated the interest of managers. This is mainly because of the fact that the employees
working as seafarers do not have the luxury of being treated in a proper manner. According to
Damyanliev, Georgiev and Garbatov (2017), the advent of globalisation has seen the increase of
trade between countries. This has led to more construction of ships and the more people enrolling
in shipping duties. These people are involved with the crew and cargo that travel by sea and
unload the cargoes in the ports. The merchant vessels that travel via sea include containers, bulk
careers, tankers and crude oil careers. However, De Cuyper and Isaksson (2017) stated that a
cloud of doubt remains about the future of the men involved in this business. This is mainly
because of the fact that the ships do not have many duties once it has reached the port. In this
regard, contractual employment on a part-time basis needs to be provided to the employees.
The research proposal investigates the employability and duties of the people involved in
the shipping industry. Special emphasis is put on the duties carried on by the employees after the
porting of the ship. The ways by which these people are managed by the ship managers are also
highlighted in this research proposal. The satisfaction level of the employees, as well as the
family members, is highlighted in the research.
Choice of research area
The reason behind the choice of this research area is the fact that I have personal
experience while maintaining contact with seafarers. I have travelled quite a lot in these vessels
and have scrutinised the working of the people in these vessels in a minute manner. It has been

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observed that the working of the vessels is different from the things that are usually portrayed.
The ports have facilities for unloading the shipments as well as porting the ship in a convenient
manner. However, the facilities for the employees are absent and the people are mistreated once
the ship has been ported on shore. The ships are designed in such a manner that provides the
necessities required for survival of the employees in the ship (Dixon, 2013).
Certain things exist that need to be included in order to maintain the satisfaction of the
employees. The differences in the level of things that exist among the seafarer include the type of
food that is served and the ways by which relation is maintained among one another. The reason
for the choice of this topic is due to my close association with the seafarers. The research will
highlight the importance of improving the conditions of the employees working in the vessel.
Opportunities exist for the officers to carry the families on board the vessels, however, due to
lack of space such a luxury is not used effectively. Hence, a proper research is conducted in
order to identify the flaws and suggest improvement.
Methodology
Gaythwaite (2016) stated that in order to conduct a successful research it is necessary for
a researcher to select a suitable methodology. The choice of methodology determines the level of
conducting the research. In order to conduct the research in a successful manner, the researcher
has chosen qualitative study. A qualitative study is used to collect information that examines the
reason behind the occurrence of a certain topic. It provides trends about the thoughts and
opinions that people have about a particular topic and uses it to make a suitable hypothesis of the
research (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015). For the purpose of this study, the choice of
qualitative research is made in order to provide a scientific description of the people along with

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the culture and the reason for selecting such a profession. Personal narratives and experience are
also provided in the research in order to make it accurate and authentic. In this regard, the
approach followed in conducting the research can be stated:
 Formulating research questions
 Identifying the problem statement
 Conducting a literature review
 Identifying a suitable methodology
 Outlining the process of conducting the methods
 Designing the questionnaire
 Identifying sample population
 Conducting interview
 Making a thorough observation
 Providing personal narratives
 Conducting an analysis
 Drawing a conclusion
 Generating the results
Based on this system, the research can be conducted in a successful manner. The importance
of the research is also stated in order to provide a clear understanding of the topic.
Importance of the research
The reason behind conducting an analysis based on the topic of ship traffic management
is that such a topic has been ignored in the managerial books. Mowforth and Munt (2015) stated
that the researchers that have been conducted on the topic have failed to shed light on the

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sufferings of the employees. Most of the people working as seafarers tend to sign a contract for a
period of six months and remain on the vessel during the length of that time. The lives of the
people become connected with the sea and the ports thereby making it difficult for the employees
to accommodate to employment away from the sea. Myers, Montgomery and Anderson-Cook
(2016) stated that certain ports have club facilities for the employees that help them in relaxation.
The ports do not have to provide a healthy treat for the employees but can provide a minimum
resting place for the people (Pallis and Theotokas, 2017).
Hence, it can be concluded that the purpose of the research is to investigate the problems
that arise in the shipping management. The focal point is the conditions of the employees and the
ways by which they need to adjust life after the completion of a travel. The researcher can
highlight the flaws and provide recommendations based on the results obtained for the
qualitative analysis of the data. The importance of the study is provided and the systematic
manner in which the research will be carried out is provided in the research.

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Reference
Damyanliev, T., Georgiev, P. and Garbatov, Y., 2017. Conceptual ship design framework for
designing new commercial ships. Routledge
De Cuyper, N. and Isaksson, K., 2017. Employment contracts and well-being among European
workers. Routledge.
Dixon, R., 2013. Invitation to the Voyage: Reading Gail Jones' Five Bells. Journal of the
Association for the Study of Australian Literature, 12(3).
Gaythwaite, J.W., 2016. Design of Marine Facilities: Engineering for Port and Harbor
Structures. American Society of Civil Engineers. John Wiley & Sons
Mowforth, M. and Munt, I., 2015. Tourism and sustainability: Development, globalisation and
new tourism in the third world. Routledge.
Myers, R.H., Montgomery, D.C. and Anderson-Cook, C.M., 2016. Response surface
methodology: process and product optimization using designed experiments. John Wiley &
Sons.
Pallis, A.A. and Theotokas, I.N., 2017. Shipping and Ports at Crossroads. SPOUDAI-Journal of
Economics and Business, 67(1), pp.3-6.
Taylor, S.J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.