dissertation topics shipping

CSL Master theses topics

A list of possible topics to write a Master thesis under the supervision of the center’s researchers.

The research interests of the center’s members revolve around two major fields: economics and operations research.

The aim of our research work is to explore the use of the theoretical and empirical results of these two fields to innovate in the transport and logistics area to help improving the competence of the Norwegian industry. 

Here is a list of possible topics to write a Master thesis under the supervision of the center’s researchers:

Impact of Climate Change on Vessel Operations

Utilizing weather data and AIS data, we aim to evaluate the influence of climatic events on routine maritime trade operations. Significant events, such as the draught restriction in the Panama Canal due to severe droughts, have resulted in costlier transits and prolonged waiting time durations. This thesis can investigate the externality cost of severe weather patterns, such as intensified El Niño.

Supervisor: Gabriel Fuentes

Climate Policy and Its Effect on Maritime Trade

By quantifying shipping emissions, including greenhouse gases (GHGs) and sulfur, a thesis on this topic can investigate the impact of maritime climate-related policies on the overall trajectory of vessel emissions. There's ongoing debate surrounding regulations like the IMO 2020 Sulphur Cap and the introduction of measures like the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII). We will evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of these regulations.

Decision Support for Maritime Investments Amid Uncertain Climate Policies

Maritime investments face uncertainties with evolving climate-related policies. A seemingly recent and valuable asset today might become obsolete or uncompetitive due to policy shifts in the near future. A thesis on this topic could aim to introduce a model that navigates potential scenarios related to the progression of climate policies.

Dark Fleet Economics in Grain and Oil Trade

The phenomenon of "dark fleets" refers to vessels that operate in hidden or illegal capacities, often eluding detection through various means. Leveraging a blend of AIS (Automatic Identification System) data and satellite optical imagery, we can observe the activities of these fleets, particularly in the grain and oil trade sectors. Your thesis could focus on the externalities of the dark fleet on the legal market or the effect on trading patterns.

Working with Vake.ai

Supervisor: Evelina Gavrilova-Zoutman and Gabriel Fuentes

Tourist management

In 2019 before the sanitary emergency started, Norway received 5.88 million tourists representing 7,04 billion dollars and 1,7% of its GDP, reaching the highest levels in 2017. In this year, the tourism industry represented nearly 4,2% of Norwegian GDP and attracted around 170 billion NOK in total tourism consumption. These numbers show the potential of this industry for economic growth and depict some challenges. Particularly when we put the number of tourists in relation to the population of the country, it becomes clear the necessity to take a closer look at current policies and opportunities from point of view of operation research. 

For the City of Bergen, the cruise industry is especially important. Bergen receives the largest number of cruise tourists in the country, making of it one of the most visited cities in Scandinavia. 

It might be interesting for cruise companies to have touristic recommendations for their passengers, itineraries that provide the most benefits out the visit, and ensure the passengers will be back to the ship on time. But also, from the city hall perspective, it might be desirable to have a more homogenous distribution of the visitors across town in order to avoid crowds. Additionally, according to Bergen’s urbanization plan, there could be desirable areas of the city where it is more interesting to bring visitors and the money they spend on their trip, in the frame of urban development, social welfare, and environment. 

In order to assess the different locations, it is necessary to understand the city trends, socio-economic indicators, passenger preferences, and tourist offers, among others. Then use this information as support for an optimization model, allowing to suggest the best routes, both for the tourists and the City of Bergen. 

Main supervisor: PhD-candidate Andres Felipe Velez Correa .

Helicopter fleet composition and allocation

In the oil and gas industry, helicopters are widely used for personnel and cargo transport between offshore platforms and heliports on the land. Therefore, the decision-making regarding the composition of the helicopter fleet and the allocation of this resource is vital for a stable operation of oil & gas exploration and extraction. Such tactical decision affects various aspects of an oil company, including contract utilization, carbon footprint, plan robustness and operating expenses.

However, the common practice in the industry is that the decision of fleet composition and allocation is still manually made based on demand forecast and individual’s experience. Such decision-making process cannot guarantee optimal solutions, is not scalable, and would likely lead to low resource utilization rate and high operating cost.

We are now seeing a clear trend in the oil and gas industry which is to apply automation in its various and complex decision-making process with the support of optimization. In terms of the helicopter fleet composition and allocation problem in this case, a decision support tool is expected to facilitate the decision of helicopter chattering and deployment with stochastic demand for the next planning period. Moreover, resource sharing, namely utilizing idle helicopter resources from other operators, is also a promising opportunity to increase the overall efficiency on an industry level and hence is becoming increasingly popular among different oil companies and helicopter operators.

With its trademark solution DaWinci as the industry standard in personnel logistics management, Quorum is the software supplier for many of the largest oil and gas companies in the world. Quorum Software Norway, as the market leader, is now cooperating with several major players in the oil and gas industry to address various new challenges with new software planning tools. This master project will take advantage of Quorum’s expertise in logistics management in oil and gas industry, and look at some of the following issues:

• Literature review on related problems and topics
• Mathematical formulation of the problem
• Study the uncertainty involved in this problem and methods to handle such stochasticity
• Study and develop necessary solution methods
• Analyze the numerical results based on a realistic problem instance from Quorum

Students choosing this project should expect to visit Quorum Software’s Bergen office to work alongside our optimization engineers for up to a week.

Collaborator: Quorum Software, contact person Xin Wang ( [email protected] ).

Supervisor: Yewen Gu .

Electric vehicles: operation, charging, network, logistics

The penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) in the Norwegian market is massive. I have dedicated part of my recent research to the optimization of charging schedules of EVs and to compare how the optimal patterns differ from the actual behaviour of EV owners. These are only examples from the broad range of topics in the research agenda on EVs nowadays. There is a lot of literature about it. I would be open to discuss your specific interests and to provide you with references that could set the basis for a potentially relevant master thesis on EVs.

Supervisor: Mario Guajardo .

What is the value of better weather forecasts?

Using empirical case studies to quantify how more accurate short-term weather forecasting can improve chartering decisions for a ship operator.

Working with company Western Bulk.

Topics on Shipping economics and finance

We have comprehensive data on micro-level commodity trades, vessel behaviors, satellite-based information, in addition to the commodity and freight market data.  By addressing practical challenges faced by shipping companies, theses can be developed based on hands-on projects in collabration with shipping companies, banks or insurance companies. The following aspects serve as broad examples:

Topic 1: Trade flow and freight rate forecasting

Topic 2: Investment horizon. How to balance asset lifespan, carbon neutral regulation and investment costs.

Topic 3: Carbon costs in transportation

Topic 4: ESG disclosure in shipping & offshore industry

Topic 5: Climate change and credit risk in shipping & offshore

Supervisor: Haiying Jia

Topics on Marine Insurance

Topic 1: Marine accident analysis w.r.t. attributes such as trade, location, or crew

Topic 2: Automated underwriting in marine insurance

Topic 3: Risk exposure vs. financial return

Evacuation of large passenger ships

Large cruise ships can be hard to exit in emergency situations and face unique challenges regarding evacuation. The ship’s steel hull has so far precluded the use of wireless technologies, which implies that all communications must be cabled-based, not even cell-phones work in an emergency. Another challenge is that evacuation plans are static and cannot be adapted as the emergency unfolds, something important in this context as different factors, such as winds, waves and tilting of the boat, affect passenger behaviour and the evacuation itself. In an ongoing project we try to develop a practical and theoretically sound stochastic and dynamic evacuation model for a large passenger ships aided by innovative wireless technology.

The project is in cooperation with NTNU (that covers the technical parts with respect to engineering and ship design) while NHH cover the dynamic modeling of an evacuation. The new wireless technology comes from ScanReach at Sotra - https://www.scanreach.com/ - and they are closely involved in the project.

Possible theses would cover aspects (to be agreed upon between supervisor and student) of modeling the evacuation or solving resulting models. There are many challenges in the modeling so that the resulting model is fast, which is required in an emergency.

Supervisor: Stein W. Wallace

Cargo Scheduling

For e.g. breakbulk and chemical shipping companies it is challenging to find out which cargoes fit best together into a voyage such that all cargoes can be transported on voyages and ships travel the least possible distance. The aim of this topic is to create a model with typical restrictions and find a good weighing of the different aspects of the objective function. In cooperation with Dataloy Systems, you can use data to develop and test your model as well as discuss the underlying concepts.

Supervisor: Julio Cesar Goez

Analysis of high-frequency supply data for oil tankers

Using unique daily spatial data for vessel employment, analyze how regional freight rate changes are driven by supply and demand, and whether the specifications and operator of a ship matters for its attractiveness in the market.

Supervisor: Haiying Jia .

Small city logistics

Urban population growth is driving an increase in the amount of freight that goes into and out of cities. That growth poses an increasing challenge to freight transportation in smaller compact cities with difficult topology, which is typical for most Norwegian cities and numerous cities abroad.

This transportation challenge is exacerbated by phenomena such as an increase in internet trade, the demand for fast delivery, and a reduction in the ownership of private cars in the city centre which could be used for shopping. The result is an increase in the total volume of freight, and more critically, in the total number of deliveries, normally managed by a large variety of transportation companies.

Unless planned for and regulated, a consequence might be increased traffic, with enhanced energy consumption, that competes for available space and may affect living conditions for a growing urban population.

This project will study small city logistics, with a focus on Bergen, to find the options available for the authorities, business models for a better city logistics setup, as well as mathematical modeling. Will be done in cooperation with the City of Bergen, Vestland County, Bergen Chamber of Commerce and Centre for Climate and Energy Transformation (CET) at The University of Bergen. The project can be qualitative as well as quantitative.

The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway, and we offer two project grants of NOK 25,000.

Possible supervisors: Stein W. Wallace , Julio C. Goez or Mario Guajardo .

How will autonomous vessels change the operations in the shipping industry (including deep-sea shipping, short-sea shipping and local waterway transport)?

If you are a hunter from the Stone Age and one day you are facing an offer to replace you wooden stick with a brand new shotgun, will you still use your new weapon just as a harder stick made of steel to kill your prey, or use it in a better way? Similar challenges are now faced by the shipping companies due to the forthcoming technological evolution, namely the autonomous ship. Obviously, an autonomous ship with no crews on board can significantly reduce a shipping company’s crew cost.

However, just like the increased hardness of a shotgun in the hunter example, the reduction of crew cost might just be a tiny benefit of the autonomy of our ships. Besides the lower crew cost, what are the fundamental advantages of an autonomous vessel comparing to the conventional manned ship?

Greater potentials are expected by better utilizing these advantages with innovative ideas in the daily operation of the vessels, such as higher frequency of ferry in the night time, flexible hub location for waterway taxi and multi-functioned vessels with different remote control teams. The world’s first commercial autonomous vessel (Yara Birkeland) will be soon launched in Norway in the end of 2018. And it is a great opportunity for the students here to also take the leading position in the research of the autonomous vessel.

Contact: Mario Guajardo

Using autonomous vehicles to improve our emergency services

The aim of emergency medical services (EMS) is to provide timely assistance to emergencies in order to save lives. Within this service, quality and capacity have sometimes deteriorated because staffing is not satisfactory and because the organization and directives are not clear. My interest is to work on the use of autonomous vessels to help ameliorate the burden that EMS staffing represents in the case of boat ambulances, and to improve the logistics planning of the system.

The aim is to analyze the use of autonomous vessels to improve response times and coverage. For example, by combining autonomous vessels with geographic information systems, one may use real time information of potential patients to improve the deployment of the resources. In particular my interest is to explore the following key research topic: designing algorithms with predictive capabilities that can be included in real time systems and capable of managing a continuous feed of data points coming from users’ cell phones and other sources.

Supervisor: Julio C. Goez .

Repositioning of Empty Vessels in the Dry Bulk Shipping Market

Aim: find key drivers for decision-making process of repositioning empty vessels - current market conditions, sentiment - repeating patterns, etc.

Supervisor: Vít Procházka.

Operations Research Applications in Tine

Dairy farmers with combined milk and beef production face complex decisions regarding optimum milk yield, slaughter age for bulls, calving age for heifers, disposal of farm land etc. The aim for this topic is to explore how operations research may help farmers improve their decision making process to increase their profitability. In this project the students will interact with TINE, Norway's largest producer, distributor and exporter of dairy products with 11,400 members (owners) and 9,000 cooperative farms.

Supervisors: Mario Guajardo and Julio C. Goez .

Logistics/sharing economy: Analytics for car-sharing models

Car-sharing provides short-term vehicle access to a group of user members who share the use of a vehicle fleet owned by a car-sharing organization that maintains, manages, and insures the vehicles. An example of this model in Bergen is bildeleringer. Managing the fleet involves decisions such as the size of the fleet, how to position and reposition the vehicles, maintenance schedules, and pricing approaches. Strong background on analytics required

Supervisor: Julio C. Goez

Optimization of requirements of cloud computing resources

The providers of online applications usually need to find the deployment of minimum cost for running it in the cloud. For the deployment, the planner on the application side must consider renting resources from cloud providers. However, there is a service level constraint that must be satisfied to ensure the quality of the service.

How to analyze the impact of introducing a scheduling software?

Scheduling takes an important role in making shipping as efficient as possible. We want to evaluate the quality of a schedule in practice. As the amount of information changes from what is available during planning to what is available when the plan comes into action, this is a complex problem. The aim of this topic is to find a model to evaluate a plan with respect to how it was used in practice. This will allow us to evaluate if companies improved their scheduling over time. Using data provided by Dataloy Systems, we want to test the model and for example analyse if the implementation of a scheduling software had a positive impact on the schedules.

Supervisors: Julio Cesar Goez

Modelling storage and capacity for scheduling for example for antarctic fishing

Fishing in the antarctic is a profitable business that is aiming to professionalize its scheduling. Fishing boats are fishing and at the same time producing various fish products on board, increasing their stock of fish products on board. On regular intervals they need to meet a cargo vessel to transfer all their cargo onto the cargo vessel. This is to avoid the fishing boat having to go all the way to the coast and losing valuable fishing time. We want to find a model that fits this operation and can be extended to other storage scenarios (storage on the cargo ship, storage at a warehouse the cargo ship delivers to)

Scheduling well in a single port

For a ship that should visit several terminals in a port to discharge cargo and load cargo scheduling these terminal visits is not trivial. Each terminal has an individual waiting list, each cargo potentially has a deadline when it needs to be discharged or loaded and additionally the ship is not allowed to be overloaded at any point in time. We are interested in a model to evaluate the quality of different solutions.

• [email protected]

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80 Logistics and Supply Chain Management Research Topics

FacebookXEmailWhatsAppRedditPinterestLinkedInIf you’re a student searching for logistics and supply chain management research topics, you’ve come to the right place. Our comprehensive list of logistics and SCM dissertation topics is tailored to help you find captivating ideas for your academic research. Logistics and supply chain management are crucial components in today’s interconnected global marketplace, playing a […]

If you’re a student searching for logistics and supply chain management research topics, you’ve come to the right place. Our comprehensive list of logistics and SCM dissertation topics is tailored to help you find captivating ideas for your academic research.

Logistics and supply chain management are crucial components in today’s interconnected global marketplace, playing a vital role in the efficient movement of goods, services, and information. With the ever-increasing demands for efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness, this field has a wealth of research opportunities.

SCM and logistics are closely interconnected disciplines that work together to ensure the efficient flow of goods, services, and information from the point of origin to the point of consumption. While logistics focuses primarily on the physical movement and storage of goods, supply chain management takes a broader perspective, encompassing the entire network of activities involved in delivering products to customers.

This post aims to provide you with diverse thought-provoking dissertation topics that delve into various aspects of logistics and supply chain management. Whether you’re pursuing an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degree, our guide will assist you in discovering compelling research areas that align with your interests and contribute to advancing this dynamic discipline. Get ready to explore emerging trends, address challenges, and contribute value to logistics and supply chain management through your research endeavors.

Related Posts:

• Supply Chain Management Research Topics To Explore For Dissertation

A List Of Potential Research Topics In Logistics and Supply Chain Management:

• Assessing the benefits and challenges of implementing reverse logistics practices in the UK.
• Sustainable packaging solutions for reducing waste and improving efficiency in logistics.
• Analyzing the resilience of UK logistics and supply chains in the face of disruptions and uncertainties.
• Evaluating the impact of inventory management strategies on customer satisfaction.
• Assessing the benefits and challenges of implementing green supply chain initiatives.
• Enhancing logistics resilience in the face of natural disasters and supply chain disruptions.
• Evaluating the sustainability performance of UK logistics service providers and its impact on customer choice.
• How can data analytics and artificial intelligence be leveraged to optimize logistics and supply chain decision-making post-COVID?
• Optimizing last-mile delivery operations in urban areas through innovative approaches.
• The impact of digitalization on supply chain visibility and data-driven decision-making.
• What are the key challenges and opportunities for supply chain resilience and risk management in the post-COVID era?
• What strategies can be employed to enhance supply chain agility and flexibility in the face of future disruptions and uncertainties?
• How have e-commerce growth and changes in customer expectations impacted logistics and last-mile delivery in the post-pandemic era?
• Evaluating the adoption of collaborative robotics (cobots) in warehouse operations.
• How has the pandemic affected the role of technology and digitalization in logistics and supply chain operations?
• The role of smart contracts in automating and streamlining logistics processes.
• Analyzing the benefits and challenges of implementing green logistics practices.
• The role of sustainability practices in enhancing the competitiveness of UK logistics and supply chains.
• Assessing the benefits and challenges of implementing autonomous logistics systems.
• What lessons were learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, and how can they be applied to strengthen logistics and supply chain resilience?
• Assessing the benefits and challenges of implementing omnichannel logistics strategies.
• How has the COVID-19 crisis influenced the role of sustainability and green logistics practices in supply chains?
• Sustainable logistics strategies for reducing environmental impact in supply chains.
• What are the key considerations for managing supply chain risks and disruptions in a globalized and interconnected world post-COVID?
• How has the COVID-19 crisis accelerated the adoption of sustainable packaging and reverse logistics practices in supply chains?
• The role of big data analytics in optimizing transportation and routing decisions.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of collaborative logistics models in reducing costs and improving efficiency.
• Emerging technologies (IoT, AI, robotics) influence warehouse management.
• The use of blockchain technology in enhancing trust and security in logistics operations.
• Optimizing warehouse layout and design for improved operational performance.
• The role of artificial intelligence in demand forecasting and inventory management.
• The influence of customer expectations and preferences on logistics service design and delivery.
• Analyzing the influence of sustainability practices on supply chain performance.
• Assessing the role of digitalization and technology adoption in optimizing UK supply chain operations.
• The impact of urbanization on logistics and transportation infrastructure planning.
• How can logistics and supply chain management strategies adapt to the changing consumer behavior and preferences post-COVID?
• The role of e-commerce in shaping logistics and fulfillment strategies.
• Assessing the impact of trade agreements and customs regulations on logistics operations.
• Optimizing transportation mode selection for improved sustainability and cost-efficiency.
• Analyzing the implications of autonomous warehouses on inventory management processes.
• The role of logistics clusters and hubs in enhancing the efficiency and connectivity of UK supply chains.
• What are the implications of border restrictions and trade policy changes on international logistics and supply chain operations post-COVID?
• The impact of COVID-19 on the UK logistics and supply chain industry: Lessons learned and future implications.
• Enhancing supply chain visibility through real-time tracking and monitoring technologies.
• Assessing the impact of 3D printing on supply chain networks and logistics operations.
• Assessing the impact of Brexit on logistics and supply chain operations in the UK.
• The use of digital twins in optimizing supply chain and logistics performance.
• The role of smart cities in transforming urban logistics and transportation.
• The use of drones in inventory management and order fulfillment processes.
• Optimizing logistics operations through the application of lean and agile principles.
• The role of predictive maintenance in optimizing equipment reliability and reducing downtime.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of crowd shipping and shared economy models in last-mile delivery.
• The impact of COVID-19 on global logistics and supply chain resilience.
• Trade tariffs and trade wars impact global logistics and supply chains.
• The influence of e-commerce growth on the logistics and last-mile delivery landscape in the UK.
• The influence of digital platforms and marketplaces on logistics and fulfillment operations.
• The impact of sustainability reporting on logistics service provider selection and performance.
• Optimizing inventory positioning and stock allocation for improved logistics efficiency.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of collaborative logistics models in improving efficiency and reducing costs in the UK.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of collaborative partnerships between UK retailers and logistics providers.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of reverse logistics practices in managing product returns.
• The influence of cross-border e-commerce on global logistics and fulfillment strategies.
• Analyzing the challenges and opportunities of green urban logistics initiatives.
• Analyzing the role of government policies and regulations in shaping the UK logistics and supply chain industry.
• The role of blockchain technology in enhancing supply chain transparency and traceability.
• Analyzing the challenges and opportunities of implementing smart city logistics initiatives in the UK.
• Evaluating the role of sustainability certifications in logistics service provider selection.
• Evaluating the impact of autonomous vehicles on transportation and logistics efficiency.
• Evaluating the adoption of cloud-based logistics platforms for supply chain collaboration.
• Evaluating the role of smart sensors in real-time monitoring and tracking of goods.
• The role of risk management strategies in mitigating supply chain disruptions.
• The influence of urbanization and population density on logistics infrastructure planning in the UK.
• How can logistics and supply chain management mitigate the impact of future pandemics and global health crises?
• Optimizing international logistics and freight forwarding operations in a globalized world.
• The role of predictive analytics in optimizing logistics network design and planning.
• How has the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped global supply chain networks and logistics operations?
• What strategies and technologies can improve supply chain visibility and traceability in the post-pandemic business environment?
• What are the emerging trends and best practices in inventory management and demand forecasting in the aftermath of the pandemic?
• Assessing the effectiveness of vendor-managed inventory (VMI) in improving logistics efficiency.
• The impact of changing consumer behavior and preferences on UK logistics and supply chain strategies.

In summary, we have presented various logistics and supply chain management topics suitable for students at various degree levels searching for captivating dissertation research ideas. These topics cover crucial aspects of the field, such as technology, sustainability, supply chain resilience, and customer behavior.

By selecting a topic aligned with their interests and career goals, you can explore emerging trends, address challenges, and contribute to advancing the discipline. You can make a meaningful impact in logistics and supply chain management through in-depth research utilizing available resources, such as literature, case studies, and industry best practices.

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• Original article
• Open access
• Published: 21 November 2019

Shipping digitalization management: conceptualization, typology and antecedents

• Maria Lambrou   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3699-6984 1 ,
• Daisuke Watanabe 2 &
• Junya Iida 3  

Journal of Shipping and Trade volume  4 , Article number:  11 ( 2019 ) Cite this article

19k Accesses

24 Citations

Metrics details

Digital transformation is a topical theme in shipping research and professional practice, today. Our paper aims at developing a comprehensive framework of digitalization technologies and their maritime business implications, grounded on available evidence. In order to understand the full complexity of shipping digitalization activities, we addressed technology and management aspects in a coalesced framework. Our research follows a qualitative, case study approach. Five cases of advanced, shipping incumbents’ digitalization activities were investigated. Our research outcome is an overarching theoretical model, which systematizes the technological components (technology typology), the prevailing management rationales (strategic drivers) and determinant factors (practices) of shipping digitalization.

Introduction

Digitalization is already transforming shipping companies’ operations and strategies. Primarily, shipping digitalization generates novel business logics and new business models for economic and social value creation (Andal-Ancion et al., 2012 ; Colbert et al., 2016 ; Chesbrough, 2010 ; Fitzgerald et al., 2014 ; Osterwalder, et al., 2005 ). As commonly acknowledged, however, further research is needed in order to frame the complexities of shipping digitalization, in a scholarly manner, and henceforth identify management approaches of rigor and practical significance to modern day shipping activities. Extant research offers an important knowledge base, in view of various types of information technology applications used in shipping, trade and transport. A broad range of decision support systems for shipping operational optimization (El Noshokaty, 2017 ), information systems for port logistics support (Mlimbila and Mbamba, 2018 ), and tools for policy-makers (Szimba et al., 2018 ) constitute the legacy of contemporary shipping digitalization. Our study addresses the following primary research questions: which are the effectual technologies of contemporary shipping digitalization and how these technologies resonate in shipping management; which management logics necessitate the adoption of digital technologies in shipping and which digitalization management practices enable them.

Our research motivation is to develop a deeper understanding of digitalization technologies and their maritime business implications, grounded on available evidence. In order to understand the full complexity of related digitalization activities and incumbents’ adaptation and revitalization efforts, we addressed technology and management aspects in a coalesced framework. Furthermore, we conducted a multi-case study to test and extend our theory, in view of how incumbent organizations in the shipping sector manage digitalization, related with an array of technologies, namely IoT, data analytics, artificial intelligence and blockchain.

Our multi-case, qualitative research took place within five of the largest and most advanced shipping institutions, worldwide; including two shipping companies, one classification society and one autonomous ship and one maritime blockchain consortium, henceforth making the research setting suitable for investigating the phenomenon of interest, namely shipping digitalization - constituent technologies and management dimensions and determinants.

With our paper, we propose an overarching theoretical model, which systematizes the technological components, the prevailing management rationales and determinant factors of digitalization.

Our paper is structured as follows: In section 2, we elaborate a baseline model of shipping digitalization that embeds three intertwined pillars: (i) digital technologies (IoT, big data analytics, A.I., blockchain), (ii) digital solutions (smart shipping systems and novel digital services), and (iii) digital business concepts, models and practices (digitalization strategic drivers, capabilities and innovation process). In section 3, we elaborate the typology of shipping technologies and solutions identified, while in section 4, the digitalization management aspects are presented in detail. The research process and findings are outlined throughout sections 2 and 4, as well as in section 5, where our field study cases are outlined. In section 6, we summarize our theoretical contribution, our research limitations as well as the managerial implications. Finally, future research is discussed in section 7.

Conceptualization of shipping digitalization

The research process.

Our research process encompassed the research gap identification, the theoretical model formulation, the case study design, and data collection, the framework validation and furthermore iterative theory elaboration, as emerged from and anchored in our field research data. In that sense, our study design was determined by our academic and professional experiences, predispositions and perceptions about shipping digitalization, but also allowed for the emergence of new theoretical insights (Legner et al., 2017 ; Saldana, 2009 ).

For our literature review (which informed our research gap identification and the proposed framework formulation), we conducted an exhaustive search of related publications during the last 3 years, in the Association of Information Systems (AIS) “basket” of journals and conferences which are identified as the leading sources in IS research. Likewise, we have based our theoretical framework development on related searches in Academy of Management (AOM) journals and conferences, primary sources in Management Science and Innovation Management, henceforth having acquired a representative overview of the research streams, themes and issues in both these academic communities. More in specific, six main research streams for shipping digitalization management were considered most pertinent, namely digital strategy, digital innovation, Industry 4.0, and adjacently the themes of business models, analytics and blockchain. Having exhaustively searched the above sources, with respective keywords, in a subsequent search iteration, we have identified a number of finer grained research perspectives of interest, which can articulate the idiosyncrasies of shipping digitalization management logics and factors of implementation and management, presented in the following sections.

Our research is complemented with a continuous, longitudinally performed scanning of related, evolving literatures in Information Systems and Software Technology, also Maritime Studies; furthermore publications in non-academic press related with digital market, ship and port technologies, have been considered. We reviewed various studies from consulting companies (e.g., Boston Consulting Group, EY, Accenture) and IT vendors (e.g., IBM, Kongsberg, Wärtsilä), which have enabled us to critically assess, contextualize, filter and synthesize the prevailing research perspectives for the purpose of our study.

Hence, we complemented theoretical insights from first tier academic literature with practical insights from sector specific analyses. Although the results of the later studies were generic or vendor specific, they offered a valuable complementary perspective of shipping business and market trends and orientations.

The theoretical framework outlined in the following has emerged during the field research process and two distinct rounds of theoretical development. Elements of the latest iteration of theory development are given in the concluding section. The main steps, approach, results and methods of our research process are depicted in Fig.  1 .

The Research Process

Our baseline conceptual model is based on the conceptual analysis proposed by Wiesböck ( 2018 ). Henceforth, digital innovation in shipping is articulated along three basic pillars: (1) innovative digital technologies (IoT, analytics, A.I., blockchain) (2) innovative digital solutions (smart shipping systems and services, maritime blockchains), and (3) digital business concepts, models and management practices (i.e. digital mindset and skillset, technology partnerships, digitalization resourcing).

Based on generic digital technologies, shipping companies and maritime organizations develop industry and company specific innovative digital solutions and integrate them in their existing (inter) organizational and technical systems. This process includes the sourcing, technical and organizational adaptation, as well as the management of digital infrastructures (assets) and technology applications. Accordingly, the transition from a generic digital technology, like IoT or big data analytics platform to a particular shipping digital solution, like a predictive maintenance solution, characterizes an organization’s digitalization. Innovative digital solutions, in turn, shape and are being shaped by the emergence of innovative digital business concepts and practices that are intertwined with digital solutions. This transformation process embedded in digital solutions and enacted with digital business models and practices is defined as digital transformation and captures the organizational changes and business model innovations induced by digital technologies (Atzori et al. 2010 ; Beck et al. 2017 ; Bharadwaj et al. 2013 ; Bordeleau et al. 2018 ; Demirkan et al. 2015 ; Kane et al. 2015 ). Our baseline conceptual model is illustrated in Fig.  2 .

A Baseline Model of Shipping Digitalization

In the same line of thought, the implementation and management of innovative digital technologies represents the foundation of digital innovation (Nambisan et al. 2017 ) and is based on new configurations of physical and digital resources (Henfridsson and Bygstad 2013 ). The capability to (re)source and manage digital assets (i.e. order newbuildings with IoT hardware, communications networks) orchestrated along with conventional (analog) shipping companies’ resources is central to shipping digitalization. In essence, a revised resource-based view and an enriched dynamic capabilities frame of sense making are most prevalent today.

According to the resource-based view of the firm, company-specific assets, resources and capabilities enable shipping companies to differentiate. Competitive advantage is achieved while internal resources and capabilities are valuable, rare, inimitable and non-substitutable (Barney, 1991 ). Complementarily, a dynamic capabilities framework extends the resource-based viewpoint by emphasizing a (shipping) company’s ability to “integrate, build, and reconfigure internal and external competences to address rapidly changing environments” (Teece, Pisano, and Shuen, 1997 ). This capacity is further identified as comprising the ability to “sense,” “seize” and “transform” opportunities, often denoted as “orchestration” capabilities. Theory further extending this argument informs us that complex, tacit, historically shaped and hence idiosyncratic set of routines and competencies shall determine the digitalization outcomes of different shipping incumbents. Commonalities also exist across shipping companies in digitalization efforts (Eisenhardt and Martin 2000 ). Hence resources and capabilities are more homogeneous across firms than traditional resource-based logic postulates, exhibiting best practices.

Against this background, digitalization management literature, as hereafter also appropriated in the shipping context, habitually takes a rationalistic, positivist, and practice-oriented perspective on capabilities. In order to create and operate digital business models and management practices shipping companies need the develop and enact a digitalization capability, which may be reduced to a set of simple rules and process heuristics (best practices); an ability to think strategically about digital technologies, approaching digitalization as an opportunity for new value creation (Barrett et al., 2015 ). Leveraging digital assets as the primary strategic resources, steering the transformation of the core shipping operations and henceforth orchestrating both physical and digital shipping resources and activities is central to value creation and capture in shipping digitalization. Organizing and partaking in technology-based business relationships and digital innovation ecosystems are related digitalization antecedents (Lyytinen et al. 2016; Nambisan et al. 2017 ; Yoo et al. 2010 ).

The observations

Indeed, our preliminary observations regarding digitalization management practices reveal that incumbent, leading shipping companies, today, primarily develop innovative digital solutions (i.e. blockchain based smart contracts) while aligning strategic and operational needs and objectives with digital technologies affordances. Shipping strategy is hardly a pure, digital first strategy today; nonetheless digital technology affordances are ingrained in a multifold of heterogeneous strategic orientations of shipping companies today. Digital resources, such as modern cyber-physical assets, data assets and employees with digital skills, are acquired and orchestrated in various modes and fashions, in order to address the high uncertainty that intertwined, volatile shipping markets and high velocity digital markets entail.

In addition, shipping companies and maritime organizations actualize the necessary conditions with respective organization design choices, taking the form of appropriate structures, i.e. creating new digital business units or smart shipping departments, as well as with related governance mechanisms, i.e. cross departmental/organizational collaboration, forming digital technology partnerships, research consortia and joint ventures, which seemingly enable them to leverage digital technologies.

Apparently, shipping companies with digitization engagements complement digital solutions with innovative digital business concepts, models and practices (Svahn et al., 2017 ).

In the following, we elaborate further the particular elements of our baseline model of shipping digitalization.

Shipping digitalization: technologies and solutions

We outline the technological underpinnings of shipping digitalization and present a concise typology of shipping technology affordances.

A multitude of orthogonal or intertwined technologies, such as A.I. algorithms and blockchain platforms, create a multitude of digital solutions, such as digital assistants for shipping professionals or secure, decentralized cargo-tracking processes (Table  1 ). Digital technologies and solutions for shipping are further intertwined with related supply chain technologies and solutions (Pfohl et al., 2015 ).

Internet of ships and sea services

IoT technology, namely sensors, actuators, or processors are embedded in vessels’ technical systems, namely engines, communications and data fusion systems, propellers or cargo systems, constituting the Internet of Ships and Sea Services. (Levander, 2017 ) Embedded software platforms integrate and manage the increasingly automated functions of ships and the interconnected shipping business processes, as well as the connected maritime logistics service systems (Lycett, 2013 ; Shmueli et al., 2011 ; Thomas et al., 2014 ). Developments in 5G communications systems, satellite for 5G and converged fixed and mobile segments as well 5G edge nodes architectures is a major technological pillar of the Internet of Ships and Sea Services.

Artificial intelligence: autonomous vessels and smart shipping

Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) in shipping has two distinct application areas:

Firstly, the autonomous vessels technology, as materialized by applying various techniques and technologies ascribed in general as artificial intelligence. Machine learning techniques for improved situation awareness support a number of ship operations and functions, including anomaly detection for navigation, maneuvering or collision avoidance. Condition based monitoring of ship mechanical systems (i.e. predictive maintenance) is another major application area.

Self-management and autonomous systems design principles and capabilities, i.e. monitoring, control, optimization and autonomy at various levels (0–5 or 6) and functional areas of ship operations (navigation, cargo handling) are relevant.

In general, an autonomous ship is operated by a land-based surveillance and control center connected with a collection of digital technologies such as IoT, data analysis technology, and broadband communication. Highly automated (autonomous) or remote controlled or remote control of certain tasks of shipboard operations like vessel operations, cargo management / cargo handling, are distinguished (Jokioinen, 2017 ).

Secondly, smart shipping is related with commercial and business operations optimization. A.I. is supporting a number of application areas at the tactical level of shipping management, including asset optimization, fleet planning, service planning and chartering. Energy consumption monitoring and environmental regulations compliance software are also smart shipping (digital solutions) instances.

Likewise, strategic level smart applications, such as shipping markets monitoring software and personal digital assistants. A broader spectrum of A.I. use cases transforming ship and shipping operations (i.e. planning, commercial operations and business operations), in diverse shipping sub–sectors is in the advent (Loebbecke et al. 2015 ; Lycett, 2013 ; McAfee and Brynjolfsson, 2012 ).

Blockchains for maritime logistics and trade

Blockchain technology, in particular, a number of proof of concept systems have already been developed and tested. Exemplar platforms, namely TradeLens, Insurwave and CargoX are in commercial operation. Maritime enterprise blockchains implement smart contracts over permissioned (private) blockchain platforms, and primarily digitise trade documentation processes. Fewer applications account to IoT enabled blockchains for cargo and ship machinery monitoring. A few prototyped applications also include shipping crypto currency services.

Hyperledger Fabric, Enterprise Ethereum and R3-Corda Enterprise platforms constitute the basic technology (infrastructure layer) used for the development, deployment and operation of maritime enterprise blockchains (application layer), and they evolve continuously. (Pilkington, 2016 ; Sternberg and Baruffaldi, 2018 ; Underwood, 2016 ).

Maritime blockchain applications also evolve continuously, towards materializing the transformational potential of blockchain technology, beyond incrementally improved paperless operations management, or distributed but not decentralized physical asset management. The business model of Distributed Autonomous Organizations, where shipping is algorithmically managed, coalescing the above technologies (IoT, 5G, A.I. and blockchain) into autonomous solutions may be tested soon too.

Digitalization management: concepts, models and practices

Digital strategy and business models.

Digital business strategy has longitudinally and consistently been articulated along the merely “tactical and operational” objectives of cost-reductions, process improvements or operational excellence, as well as the objectives of supplier and customer engagement, insight and decision support aims. The research streams of business models and digital innovation have enriched the discussion with new angles for value creation and digital value propositions as well as data monetization (Kane et al., 2015 ; Nylén and Holmstrom, 2015 ; Liere-Netheler, et al., 2018 ; Teece, 2010 ; Zott et al., 2011 ).

We employ a dual, theory-based and practice oriented approach to identify digital strategy and value creation logics in shipping.

The construct of drivers is used in order to address digital strategy (Liere-Netheler, et al., 2018 ). Drivers are understood as the perceived or expected business advantages that result from embedding digital technology in shipping operations, smart shipping systems or new business models, such as blockchain-enabled smart contracts and open, Internet of Ships platforms for data sharing and shipping services.

Furthermore, the notion of value creation and digital business models is used; in specific how the notion of value creation resonates and is operationalized in the context of digital strategy in shipping, how it is understood by practitioners and to what extend it is a utilitarian, practice oriented construct that enables the actualization of digitalization initiatives.

Remarkably, in our field study, shipping organizations interviewees consistently avoided to respond to value creation related questions and prompts, contrary to the questions and prompts addressing the drivers and strategies for digitalization that were regularly, eagerly discussed. Therefore, in our second iteration of the theoretical base refinement, the value creation and business model angle was partly overlooked for further development and synthesis with the rest of the research lenses, as merely overlapping with adjacent concepts and management tools in practice-oriented shipping digitalization management.

In the following, in Table  2 , we elaborate the main digitalization drivers that were validated or emerged through our case studies, as pertinent constructs of shipping digital strategy and business models.

Digitalization management determinants and practices

With our research framework, we also examine digitalization management practices , latently mirroring the seminal, evolving resource-based, and dynamic capabilities theories. Among a wealth of related frameworks, based on Bharadwaj ( 2000 ), we employed digital innovation capabilities as a practice oriented construct with six dimensions: digitalization strategic thinking, digital infrastructures (assets), digital business partnerships, and digital business process integration, structures and network orientation/connectivity. Hence, we examined digital innovation capabilities, as a compound construct, which reflects digitalization determinants (Ethiraj et al., 2005 ) .

In addition, we examine the course of the various digital transformation activities and management practices along the different phases of the innovation process (sense-seize-transform digitalization loops), namely digital opportunity identification/ideation, digital initiative exploration and testing, and lastly, actual launching/operation of the digital technology systems/services (Salerno et al., 2015 ).

Also remarkably, in our field study, interviewees mostly did not directly discuss these questions, however, they did refer to management concepts and practices related with what the literature essentially denotes as digital innovation capabilities, namely digital culture or digital leadership, partnerships and collaboration orientation, also learning/market intelligence capability. This may be partly be ascribed to the fact that our interviewees were shipping business middle managers, not highly exposed to business school or academic business management nomenclature, also the digitalization projects they are involved and we studied are to a certain extent at the testing phase, not at the actual commercial or operational phase; hence, the success of the initiatives can not be effectively assessed, at this point, to a much lesser extent be correlated to particular management models and practices. Interviewees were mostly keen to discuss aspects related with the approach taken as regards the innovation process of digitalization systems development; therefore innovation process factors are also validated and maintained in the digitalization management theoretical framework as relevant. Last, we include the generic notions of opportunities and barriers of digitalization as appropriate prompts to address possibly missing aspects as regards the typology of technologies and digitalization management practices, in particular important barriers to digitalization.

In the following Table  3 , the main digitalization management concepts, models and practices that were validated or emerged through our field research are outlined:

We concisely articulate the pertinent digitalization management antecedents, entailing innovation process, resource-based view and dynamic capabilities approaches and adjacent management theory and management practices, as follows:

A digital mindset is emergent, complementing traditional strategic-orientations of incumbent shipping companies. Shipping incumbents orchestrate their business activities along a combination of incremental and radical digital business models, where digital assets are the core strategic resource, together with conventional (analog) shipping business models. Strategic embeddedness and digital leadership are determinants of digitalization.

Digitalization management is an effort of balanced, portfolio strategy. The scope of digital transformation, the options for business model repurposing and “edge exploration” along with the prioritization logic of short-term improvements vs. paradigmatic digital technology projects and their strategy execution possibilities (i.e. partnerships, greenfield) entail different (often competing) business logics and innovation modes (exploration – exploitation).

A resourcing capability for vessels/fleets with autonomous functions embedded in IoT enabled cyber physical systems, innovative A.I. business software or blockchain applications is deliberately planned and materialized in various orders and rhythms. Technology-alliances and joint ventures are principal interorganizational collaboration forms, employed to address the uncertainties, knowledge dispersion and resource complementarities ingrained in digital transformation activities.

Business process management remains a demanding area; Implementing new digital solutions demands new, appropriate process integration solutions, mostly addressed today in terms of a pressing need for standardization (technology protocols and commercial software features).

Appropriate organization designs are implemented in the form of new departments (digital or smart shipping units), formalized cross departmental teams for digitalization projects development, also open innovation forms with external partners of complementary knowledge and business expertise. Internal also external collaboration is mostly the norm in digitalization processes.

Digitalization as an innovation process entails the continuous scanning of the shipping markets and competitors, but foremost industry-spanning search for relevant business models and practices to adopt (i.e. autonomous vehicles). The ideation phase and project/system refinement in terms of iterative filtering, design, testing and validation up to commercialization and launching entail appropriate project management, design thinking and human resource management techniques and methodologies. Digitalization is different from previous technological innovation trajectories, with internal and external collaboration, and innovation platforms constituting best practice governance mechanisms. Henceforth, a digital transformation process as an organizational routine is supported by a mix of related methodologies (process heuristics), which serves as a digitalization improvisation and value capture mechanism. Those routines and mechanisms represent an institutionalized digital innovation process .

Methodology and cases

We studied five cases addressing heterogeneous instances of digitalization in the shipping industry. For each case, we performed in-depth interviews with key interviewees who were responsible for managing and implementing shipping and ship smart systems that engage IoT, big data and analytics, A.I. or blockchain technologies. An interview script with three sections, namely shipping digitalization strategy, digitalization technologies and systems in development or use, and effectual digitalization management approaches, guided the interviews. We typically started with a brief introduction of the study rationale and the request that the interviewees generally portray the shipping digitalization technologies that they consider important and how these are used and possibly shape new shipping strategies and business models, also how the digitalization is affecting shipping markets structure, shipping companies’ and other stakeholders’ management practices. In the following, the interviewees were asked to describe in detail how the particular key technologies of shipping digitalization enlisted are applied, used or offered by the interviewees’ company; furthermore, to explain whether (and which) new functions, services are enabled by the digitalization projects or platforms they are involved, to explain to which extent current processes embed or leverage the functions, and to describe implications of the emergence of smart ship and smart shipping or blockchain technology with regards to their organizations’ business processes and business models. In addition, the research protocol included the analysis of the innovation process and pertinent digital innovation capabilities enabled (or lack thereof) hindered their organization’s digital transformation. Last, interviewees’ were asked to comment and assess the overall potential, opportunities and challenges of shipping digitalization.

Due to the novelty of the shipping digitalization phenomenon, the companies/organization/consortia we investigated were selected for two reasons: they are large, incumbent companies/organizations in the shipping industry, well renown for business and technological excellence and strategic orientation for quality and innovation. We ensured that the interviewees were engaged in shipping digitalization to an extent that merits an investigation. The selected groups of interviewees were expected to provide us with a comprehensive and representative view of shipping digitalization logics, factors and approaches, as they are experts in shipping management business, information technology, or marine engineering, and their responsibilities include managerial as well as a technical tasks. In specific, all interviews proceeded with cross-functional groups that involved experts from an array of information technology, operations, smart shipping, marketing departments/units or team members. We ensured that the interviewees’ position, experience and complementary perspectives would allow us to investigate how shipping digitalization is shaped and is shaping the industry, and individual companies’ and organization’s management practices and strategies, as well as identify the technological trajectory of smart shipping services and autonomous ship systems.

Before conducting the interviews, we sent a two-page summary of the main interview questions (both in English and Japanese) to each organization or contact person, whereas each interview lasted for about an hour. Interviews were conducted in an open-ended and semi-structured manner. All interviews were conducted face-to-face, at the studied organizations’ premises and were transcribed. Typically, interviews were conducted in Japanese and translated simultaneously in English.

More in detail, interviewees’ groups, in all examined cases, consisted of three to five persons. Overall, 19 experts were interviewed for the presented digitalization cases, and were distributed as follows: Shipping Company A (3), Shipping Company B (5), Classification Society (5), Autonomous Vessel Consortium (3), Maritime Blockchain Consortium (3). In all cases, the interviewees groups included at least one and up to three C-level Executives, responsible for the respective digitalization project(s), being the head of respective departments/units (i.e. Smart Shipping Division, Marketing Division, ICT Strategy Department or Information System Department), or Project Managers of the respective initiatives (i.e. blockchain platform). In one case, the President of the respective Center and in two cases the Project Managers of the respective digitalization projects were interviewed and eagerly responded to the questions and open discussions. In all cases, we ensured that the position (organizational role) of the individual interviewees, also the mix of the interviewees’ group members reflected the qualifications, experience and authority necessary to offer rich information and insight into shipping digitalization. Based on available literature and critiques of qualitative and case study research methods, in specific theory building from multiple cases, we considered the design, sampling and data collection and analysis process of our study as appropriate (Eisenhardt and Graebner, 2007 ; Goldkuhl 2019 , Yin, 2014 ).

In addition, for triangulation purposes, secondary data was collected and analyzed, such as presentation slides, companies’ presentation material, such as brochures and leaflets and additional material provided by interviewees after the meetings. This information helped us to frame the digital technologies and solutions’ features and affordances discussed, also digitalization management logics and practices investigated.

Our research team consisted of two academics, and two postgraduate researchers, one of them being a senior civil servant, and expert in maritime transport matters.

In the following the findings of our research are summarized in Table  4 . Shipping Companies A and B present a mostly converging portfolio of digitalization projects and initiatives, including smart applications for business and commercial, technical and nautical operations, and participation in one autonomous ship and two blockchain research projects and partnerships.

The classification society organization is engaged in broad range of digitalization projects like software for ship inspections and shipping companies business consulting, also a radical innovation digitalization project, developing an open, data sharing platform for the shipping sector, also engaging shipping companies.

Summary: theoretical contribution, managerial implications and limitations

In our study, incumbent, leading shipping organizations with proven digitalization activities and experiences were examined in order to analyze organizational and management ramifications resultant from digital innovation. Employing a grounded theory methodological approach, we have developed a conceptual model with three intertwined pillars: digital technologies, digital solutions, and digitalization management best practices. We devised our theoretical model, it’s constructs and perspectives, based on principal IS and Management literatures and contextualized and synthesized them so as to address and conceptualize the idiosyncrasies of shipping digitalization, today. Based on the field research findings, the extent of validation and the insights we gained with experts’ interviews, our work contributes with an overarching model of digitalization, which presents pertinent technological and managerial aspects to be further developed, enhanced and validated by forthcoming maritime research studies.

Our research has certain limitations, mostly inherent in qualitative research; our multi-case study findings are not statistically representative.

The nuances and heterogeneity of pertinent technologies, strategies, management practices as well as barriers, faced by shipping companies in different markets (i.e. bulk/container, liner/spot, Asian/European) needs further elaboration, since different factors and approaches are operand. Nonetheless, our sample organizations do operate or serve fleets in multiple markets, on a global scale; hence the evidence gained from our study can be assessed as representative and comprehensive of shipping digitalization.

Environmental (macro), institutional and cultural aspects, as influencing factors, are not considered either and should be also integrally addressed in future research, in order to understand why and how shipping companies engage in digitalization and perform differently, in various national, regional, sectoral and cultural settings.

Our paper addresses specific managerial implications of shipping digitalization. We present: (i) a concise model of three prevailing, intertwined dimensions to take into consideration while engaged in real life digitalization efforts; we elaborate in detail (ii) an accessible typology of pertinent technological components of shipping digitalization and (iii) a list of related managerial action fields to focus on while engaging in shipping digitalization projects. Hence, we provide one single accessible knowledge source for maritime professionals who wish to be updated in shipping digital technology and resultant managerial issues. Fostering the academic dialogue on shipping digitalization, also contributes in expanding maritime business professionals understanding of digitalization aspects and enriches their managerial agency quality.

Concluding discussion: digital entrainment - old drivers, appropriated practices, new value?

In conclusion, we contribute with the conceptualization of a baseline, practice oriented model of shipping digitalization, still we seek to identify and test significant antecedents and determinants, beyond what is currently perceived as relevant. We pursue identifying rational business heuristics for entrepreneurial action, shaping and being shaped by an emergent “digital habitus” (Bourdieu, P. 1990 ; Abdelnour et al. 2017 ).

Possible future research directions for theorizing the shipping digitalization phenomenon, are outlined in the following:

A. Cross-connecting firm characteristics (size, experiences, alliances-network position, strategic orientations) and intra-organization characteristics (stakeholders, governance and incentives, management cognitive factors and agency, structures and innovation processes) with macro-perspectives, in particular ecosystem and institutional dimensions merits further examination (Eggers and Park, 2018 ).

B. Detecting interdependencies of those derived, fine-grained antecedents of shipping digitalization, taking the form of causal relationships (i.e. firm identity and digital strategy misalignment) are points of research action that can be pursued in forthcoming studies.

C. The nature (phases, rhythms) of the digital transformation trajectory, i.e. accruing selectively digitalization projects, systems and activities, employing and partnering with those with relevant resources, interests, and predispositions, also balancing opposing value creation logics, accounts to a prototypical shipping digitalization s-curve and needs to be further elaborated.

Furthermore, the following observations could be investigated:

(i) As a resource-based perspective dictates and our study insights indicate, shipping companies explore new configurations of analog shipping resources in combination with digital resources to create digital transformation outcomes (value). The intensity and direction in which resources are explored and combined are correlated with digitalization performance and needs further examination.

(ii) Our insights suggest that innovation process practices, including industry-spanning search, complex system thinking style (sensing capability) and orchestration (seizing) capabilities are correlated with digitalization performance, also linked to the radicalness of digital innovation (i.e. business model innovation such as blockchain platforms and autonomous ships projects vs. process innovations).

(iii) Digital value creation logics and processes apparently overlap and are interwoven and need to be further scrutinized.

(iv) Managing digitalization is more complicated than acquiring, bundling and orchestrating physical and digital resources. The relationship between analog shipping and digital technology efforts can be examined further (Cohen and Tripsas, 2019 ). Our insights suggest that a value creation logic that maintains a relatively stable focus on balancing analog and digital shipping is a predictor of digitalization performance. In addition, using competently analog shipping knowledge to bridge traditional and digital generations of shipping can have a positive impact on digitalization performance.

(v) Likewise, our insights suggest that resource complementarity is the primary driver for which shipping companies pursue interorganizational collaboration; it constitutes a process with potential partners reciprocally strategizing through interactions and mingled actions. Relationship making, integration and orchestration capabilities for resource complementarity have an impact on digitalization performance.

Along the above line of reasoning, the nuances of shipping digitalization value creation logics, resourcing practices, innovation capabilities and organization designs need to be further scrutinized.

Beyond, a rationalistic, positivist analysis, competent adaptive actions incurred to shipping digitalization management can be perceived as “digital habitus-driven” (Nayak, et al. 2019 ), where practitioners sense the affordances of digital technologies and solutions, through the shipping company’s organizational culture, a refined sensitivity to affordances, and a “nurtured predisposition to capitalize on such affordances in situ” (Nayak, et al. 2019 ). Further combined with business heuristics are extended to effect “entrepreneurial action”, where practitioners seize digitalization opportunities and direct their companies’ strengths so as to transform their customary business logic toward development, sustainability and progress.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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University of the Aegean, Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport, Chios, Greece

Maria Lambrou

Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Department of Logistics and Information Engineering, Tokyo, Japan

Daisuke Watanabe

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management, International Coordination Division, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan

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ML contributed with the problem identification, literature review and theory development, also conducting the interviews and interpreting the data collected regarding digitalization in shipping (technologies, solutions, practices). DW also contributed with literature review, theory development, contacting the organizations which were investigated for the field research (interviews), organizing also conducting the interviews and interpreting the data collected regarding digitalization in shipping (technologies, solutions, practices). JI also contributed with theory development, organizing and conducting the interviews and interpreting the data collected regarding digitalization in shipping. ML had the primary role in writing the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Lambrou, M., Watanabe, D. & Iida, J. Shipping digitalization management: conceptualization, typology and antecedents. J. shipp. trd. 4 , 11 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41072-019-0052-7

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s41072-019-0052-7

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Maritime Law Dissertation Topics

Published by Owen Ingram at January 2nd, 2023 , Revised On August 15, 2023

Topics for maritime law dissertations include the legalities of ships and other issues in international waters. Due to the importance of global connections and links in this field, maritime law studies various treaties and their legal ramifications.

There are regulations pertaining to insurance claims, maritime difficulties, agreements between firms and seafarers, ship pollution, coat and guard issues, and many more. All of them are studied in this area of law.

Here is our selection of the best maritime law dissertation topics and ideas for the students of maritime law to help them get started with their dissertation project. Avoid choosing a topic that is too vague and broad. Our maritime law topic suggestions are unique and customisable.

List of Maritime Law Dissertation Topics

• Current maritime laws function in preserving maritime security
• International power kinetics are involved in piracy in international waters.
• A descriptive technique is used to research the significance of adding maritime law instruction in secondary-level academics.
• How might the notion of utmost good faith impact intermediaries and mortgagees in marine insurance contracts?
• Analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of the legislative framework for combating marine piracy in developing nations.
• Justification for liability restrictions in maritime law
• Effects of maritime law on safeguarding the ocean environment in Indian territorial waters.
• Understanding the fundamental legalities of maritime law and the ship registration process.
• Naval Operations and Maritime Environmental Issues: A Relationship
• Titanic engineering parts: Material and Manufacturing Analysis
• How do the applicable international maritime regulations apply to shipwrecks and abandoned vessels?
• A meta-analysis of the marine insurance industry’s importance of cyber security
• Maritime rules and legislation must overcome difficulties due to oil pollution in international waters.
• How does maritime law enforcement respond to armed robberies and piracy on international waters?
• Recognize maritime law fundamentals as they apply to South African marine operations.
• A descriptive analysis of the significance of maritime law in situations involving door-to-door logistics services requiring a sea leg.
• Researching the restrictions connected to the South African framework of liability.
• Identifying the main legal difficulties involved in shipping dangerous commodities over international waters.
• Examining the relevant legal and ergonomic concerns.
• Which maritime law system is more operational—international or local—and why?
• Examining how culture affects how maritime laws are read and applied in the context of South Africa.
• Transparency in the application of maritime regulations and security.
• Are there any connections between maritime law and the military?
• Understanding historical views and changes to achieve uniformity in international marine law.
• A descriptive method for investigating the connection between environmental concerns in coastal waters and maritime rules.

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If you are looking for maritime law dissertation topics , the ones mentioned up can certainly be considered. However, it is best to do your own research first instead of relying completely on these.

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How to find Maritime Law Dissertation Topics?

To find maritime law dissertation topics:

• Research recent maritime issues.
• Study international conventions.
• Explore environmental concerns.
• Analyze piracy or shipping regulations.
• Examine dispute resolution.
• Select a topic aligning with your passion and career aspirations.

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100 Unique Logistics Research Topics To Deal With

Table of Contents

Logistics is the process of acquiring, storing, and moving manufactured products from production facilities to retail locations. If you take a course in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (SCM), then for your final assignment, you must work on captivating logistics research topics.

Typically, logistics is a broad subject with numerous subfields and hence you may struggle to identify the right research topic for your logistics dissertation. But with our assistance, you can easily spot the best logistics research topics. Especially, for your convenience, in this blog, we have published a list of unique dissertation topics on logistics and supply chain management. Additionally, we have presented certain tactics to spot the appropriate logistics research topic.

Continue reading this blog and get amazing logistics research ideas.

Know How to Choose a Logistics Research Topic

Topic selection is the first step in the logistics research paper preparation process. Mostly, your instructors will suggest some impressive logistics dissertation topics for you to get started. In case, you are given the liberty to pick a logistics research topic of your choice, follow these steps.

• First, identify the area you are more interested in performing research.
• In the determined logistics research area, search and gather relevant research ideas, titles, or questions that are not examined.
• Brainstorm all the gathered logistics and SCM research ideas and find out its research scope after reading the existing literature.
• Analyze and narrow down the list based on their originality, meaningfulness, feasibility to perform research before the deadline, and availability of resources. Eliminate the topics that have no or least research scope.
• Once again review the refined list and pick a topic that meets your professor or university’s research guidelines.
• Before you confirm the topic, discuss it with your supervisor and get approval for the topic. Consulting with your instructors may aid you in enhancing the quality of your research work.

List of the Best Logistics Research Topics and Ideas

Are you unsure what research topic to choose for logistics research? If yes, then carefully explore the list published below and pick any topic that satisfies your needs. In the list, you will get 100 fascinating logistics research topics, questions, and titles on relevant themes.

Interesting Logistics Research Topics

• Why do businesses integrate technology and service providers to manage the logistics processes?
• Analyze the cost factors in logistics.
• Investigate the role of crowd-sourced freight services in logistics.
• Discuss the practical implications of UK packaging regulations on business logistics.
• Discuss the regulations for sustainable packaging in the United States.
• Examine the impact of app-based rapid freight services in the United Kingdom.
• Analyze warehouse trends and problems in omnichannel logistics.
• How does the use of logistics affect local transport channels in the UK?
• Describe the viability of the warehouse management function for family businesses in the United Kingdom.
• Examine the role of software solutions and outsourced logistics service providers in the United Kingdom.

Excellent Logistics Research Topics

• Compare the current supply chain and logistics regulations in the US with China.
• Discuss Enterprise Integration and its importance.
• Study the business perspectives as well as implementation strategies to provide logistics integration costs.
• Explain how food requirements for tourist seasons are forecasted by famous multicultural restaurants.
• Study humanitarian supply chain integration.
• Analyze the impact of transportation on the logistics industry
• Investigate the applications of smart glasses and autonomous robots in SCM.
• Examine the influence of inventory on the logistics business.
• Investigate anticipatory logistics in supply chain management.
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of implementing AI and IoT in SCM and logistics.

Outstanding Logistics Research Paper Topics

• Study logistics and transportation in Australia.
• Compare value-added logistics and supply chain management.
• Explain how important commerce and logistics are in today’s global economy.
• Study defense logistical strategy and plans.
• Explain how third-party logistics help businesses save costs.
• Explain how to enhance the efficiency of logistics using wireless communication.
• Take a look at international regulations for commercial logistics services.
• Evaluate the feasibility of entangled supply networks using IoT.
• Explain the collaboration between the government and logistics companies.
• Discuss the role of third-party logistics in the e-commerce industry.
• Compare traditional logistics and reverse logistics.
• Explain how to use IoT in the 3PL/4PL Industry.
• Describe the origin of the term ‘Business Logistics’ in an increasingly globalized supply chain.
• Examine the correlation between reverse logistics and sustainability performance.
• Explain how to reduce costs in the supply chain for automobile exports and imports in China.

Unique Logistics Research Topics

• Conduct a theoretical examination of the concept of a control tower in logistics from a future perspective.
• Write about the potential future applications of ERP in logistics management.
• Examine the application of quality management principles to the procurement and logistics functions of mobile shops in the UK.
• Discuss the role of relationship development managers in managing the supply chain network.
• Consider how Corporate Social Responsibility fosters socially responsible supplier chains.
• Examine the effects of mobility solutions on logistics.
• Look at food logistics and supply chain management in any country.
• Investigate and write about Metropolitan Logistics.
• Explain ways to enhance healthcare logistics performance.
• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of logistics for low-cost country sourcing.

Top Logistics Research Ideas

• Explain the value of implementing logistics and SCM ideas and concepts.
• Investigate how the evolution of logistics and SCM affects strategic differentiation and operational effectiveness.
• Write about IoT’s applications in logistics.
• Examine the procurement management of specialized projects in the commercial construction industry.
• Explain the influence of IT advancements on third- and fourth-party logistics systems.
• Discuss the application of robotics in logistics
• Explore the modern technology utilized in warehouses.
• Explore the application of AI and Machine Learning in Logistics
• Examine the benefits and drawbacks of warehouse robots.
• Study the evolution of the Global Logistics Industry from 1900 to 2022.
• Explain the role of information management in addressing logistics and supply chain issues.
• Describe the link between SCM and procurement.
• What impact do incoming and outbound logistics have on the supplier-consumer relationship?
• What role does technology play in improving multinational corporations’ logistics and supply chain management ?
• Examine the practical implementation approaches for green sustainable buying strategies.

Logistics and Supply Chain Management Dissertation Topics

• Explore the different logistics operations of manufacturing companies.
• Examine the effect of procurement logistics on the sales of FMCG manufacturing companies.
• Explore the role of supply chain management in business outsourcing.
• Examine the implementation of Green Supply Chain Management Practices.
• Assess the role of technology in modern supply chain systems.
• Explain how to use E-logistics in Supply Chain Operations.
• Explain how independent UK pharmaceutical merchants maximize logistical value.
• Analyze the reasons why shippers seek new alternatives to parcel carrier service.
• Explain how UK businesses handle customer services through third-party networks.
• Examine the effects of e-commerce growth on the global logistics industry.
• Explore the challenges and interventions in the logistics and supply chain management sector.
• Research the logistics and supply chain workflows using RFID and bar code databases.
• Analyze the trends and challenges in logistics and supply chain management.
• Take a look at the supply chain disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Discuss the most recent supply chain innovations and their benefits

Amazing Research Topics on Logistics and SCM

• Explore machine learning approaches in supply chain management.
• Evaluate cost-cutting techniques for supply chain management (SCM) for export and import.
• Identify the reasons for using emergency logistics services.
• Assess variables impacting the implementation of an effective supply management system.
• Evaluate the supply chain risk management skills.
• Investigate how logistics and SCM might address new issues and complications.
• Evaluate the impact of packaging on fragrance exporters in the UK.
• Explore the advantages and disadvantages of Industry 4.0 in logistics and SCM.
• Describe ways to assess and reduce the environmental impact of logistics activities.
• Discuss reverse logistics options for end-of-life products.

Logistics Management Research Topics

• Compare the sustainable logistics management practices between emerging and developed countries.
• Explain how small family businesses in the UK handle logistics management.
• Compare the implementation of sustainable logistics management practices between developed countries.
• Identify effective solutions to mitigate risks in logistics management.
• Evaluate logistics management principles in practical settings.
• Examine how logistics management helps streamline reorders for clothing businesses in the UK.
• Analyze how the logistics and supply chain functions have changed in the 21st century.
• Investigate the effect of logistics functions on an organization’s financial performance.
• Examine how logistics and supply chain management contribute to the success of multinational corporations.
• Evaluate how logistics and SCM may help SMEs grow.
• Understand the significance of value chain strategy in logistics and supply chain management.
• Analyze how changes in demand and supply affect logistics functions and costs.
• Examine how IT innovation affects logistics and SCM efficiency.
• Assess innovative logistics and supply chain strategies.
• Understand the significance of IT in managing logistics and supply chains.

From the list recommended above, pick any research topic that you are interested in and begin working on your logistics dissertation. In case, you need any other original logistics research ideas or if you need expert help with logistics research paper writing or proofreading, call us immediately.

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How To Find A High-Quality Research Topic

6 steps to find & evaluate high-quality dissertation/thesis topics.

By: Caroline Osella (PhD, BA)  and Derek Jansen (MBA) | July 2019

So, you’re finally nearing the end of your degree and it’s now time to find a suitable topic for your dissertation or thesis. Or perhaps you’re just starting out on your PhD research proposal and need to find a suitable area of research for your application proposal.

In this post, we’ll provide a straightforward 6-step process that you can follow to ensure you arrive at a high-quality research topic . Follow these steps and you will formulate a well-suited, well-defined core research question .

There’s a helpful clue already: your research ‘topic’ is best understood as a research question or a problem . Your aim is not to create an encyclopedia entry into your field, but rather to shed light on an acknowledged issue that’s being debated (or needs to be). Think research  questions , not research  topics  (we’ll come back to this later).

Overview: How To Find & Choose A Research Topic

• Get an understanding of the research process
• Review previous dissertations from your university
• Review the academic literature to start the ideation process
• Identify your potential research questions (topics) and shortlist
• Narrow down, then evaluate your research topic shortlist
• Make the decision (and stick with it!)

Step 1: Understand the research process

It may sound horribly obvious, but it’s an extremely common mistake – students skip past the fundamentals straight to the ideation phase (and then pay dearly for it).

Start by looking at whatever handouts and instructions you’ve been given regarding what your university/department expects of a dissertation. For example, the course handbook, online information and verbal in-class instructions. I know it’s tempting to just dive into the ideation process, but it’s essential to start with the prescribed material first.

There are two important reasons for this:

First , you need to have a basic understanding of the research process , research methodologies , fieldwork options and analysis methods before you start the ideation process, or you will simply not be equipped to think about your own research adequately. If you don’t understand the basics of  quantitative , qualitative and mixed methods BEFORE you start ideating, you’re wasting your time.

Second , your university/department will have specific requirements for your research – for example, requirements in terms of topic originality, word count, data requirements, ethical adherence, methodology, etc. If you are not aware of these from the outset, you will again end up wasting a lot of time on irrelevant ideas/topics.

So, the most important first step is to get your head around both the basics of research (especially methodologies), as well as your institution’s specific requirements . Don’t give in to the temptation to jump ahead before you do this. As a starting point, be sure to check out our free dissertation course.

Step 2: Review past dissertations/theses

Unless you’re undertaking a completely new course, there will be many, many students who have gone through the research process before and have produced successful dissertations, which you can use to orient yourself. This is hugely beneficial – imagine being able to see previous students’ assignments and essays when you were doing your coursework!

Take a look at some well-graded (65% and above) past dissertations from your course (ideally more recent ones, as university requirements may change over time). These are usually available in the university’s online library. Past dissertations will act as a helpful model for all kinds of things, from how long a bibliography needs to be, to what a good literature review looks like, through to what kinds of methods you can use – and how to leverage them to support your argument.

As you peruse past dissertations, ask yourself the following questions:

• What kinds of topics did these dissertations cover and how did they turn the topic into questions?
• How broad or narrow were the topics?
• How original were the topics? Were they truly groundbreaking or just a localised twist on well-established theory?
• How well justified were the topics? Did they seem important or just nice to know?
• How much literature did they draw on as a theoretical base? Was the literature more academic or applied in nature?
• What kinds of research methods did they use and what data did they draw on?
• How did they analyse that data and bring it into the discussion of the academic literature?
• Which of the dissertations are most readable to you – why? How were they presented?
• Can you see why these dissertations were successful? Can you relate what they’ve done back to the university’s instructions/brief?

Seeing a variety of dissertations (at least 5, ideally in your area of interest) will also help you understand whether your university has very rigid expectations in terms of structure and format , or whether they expect and allow variety in the number of chapters, chapter headings, order of content, style of presentation and so on.

Some departments accept graphic novels; some are willing to grade free-flow continental-philosophy style arguments; some want a highly rigid, standardised structure.  Many offer a dissertation template , with information on how marks are split between sections. Check right away whether you have been given one of those templates – and if you do, then use it and don’t try to deviate or reinvent the wheel.

Step 3: Review the academic literature

Now that you (1) understand the research process, (2) understand your university’s specific requirements for your dissertation or thesis, and (3) have a feel for what a good dissertation looks like, you can start the ideation process. This is done by reviewing the current literature and looking for opportunities to add something original to the academic conversation.

Kick start the ideation process

So, where should you start your literature hunt? The best starting point is to get back to your modules. Look at your coursework and the assignments you did. Using your coursework is the best theoretical base, as you are assured that (1) the literature is of a high enough calibre for your university and (2) the topics are relevant to your specific course.

Start by identifying the modules that interested you the most and that you understood well (i.e. earned good marks for). What were your strongest assignments, essays or reports? Which areas within these were particularly interesting to you? For example, within a marketing module, you may have found consumer decision making or organisation trust to be interesting. Create a shortlist of those areas that you were both interested in and academically strong at. It’s no use picking an area that does not genuinely interest you – you’ll run out of motivation if you’re not excited by a topic.

Understand the current state of knowledge

Once you’ve done that, you need to get an understanding of the current state of the literature for your chosen interest areas. What you’re aiming to understand is this: what is the academic conversation here and what critical questions are yet unanswered? These unanswered questions are prime opportunities for a unique, meaningful research topic . A quick review of the literature on your favourite topics will help you understand this.

Grab your reading list from the relevant section of the modules, or simply enter the topics into Google Scholar . Skim-read 3-5 journal articles from the past 5 years which have at least 5 citations each (Google Scholar or a citations index will show you how many citations any given article has – i.e., how many other people have referred to it in their own bibliography). Also, check to see if your discipline has an ‘annual review’ type of journal, which gathers together surveys of the state of knowledge on a chosen topic. This can be a great tool for fast-tracking your understanding of the current state of the knowledge in any given area.

Start from your course’s reading list and work outwards. At the end of every journal article, you’ll find a reference list. Scan this reference list for more relevant articles and read those. Then repeat the process (known as snowballing) until you’ve built up a base of 20-30 quality articles per area of interest.

Absorb, don’t hunt

At this stage, your objective is to read and understand the current state of the theory for your area(s) of interest – you don’t need to be in topic-hunting mode yet. Don’t jump the gun and try to identify research topics before you are well familiarised with the literature.

As you read, try to understand what kinds of questions people are asking and how they are trying to answer them. What matters do the researchers agree on, and more importantly, what are they in disagreement about? Disagreements are prime research territory. Can you identify different ‘schools of thought’ or different ‘approaches’? Do you know what your own approach or slant is? What kinds of articles appeal to you and which ones bore you or leave you feeling like you’ve not really grasped them? Which ones interest you and point towards directions you’d like to research and know more about?

Once you understand the fundamental fact that academic knowledge is a conversation, things get easier.

Think of it like a party. There are groups of people in the room, enjoying conversations about various things. Which group do you want to join?  You don’t want to be that person in the corner, talking to themself. And you don’t want to be the hanger-on, laughing at the big-shot’s jokes and repeating everything they say.

Do you want to join a large group and try to make a small contribution to what’s going on, or are you drawn to a smaller group that’s having a more niche conversation, but where you feel you might more easily find something original to contribute? How many conversations can you identify? Which ones feel closer to you and more attractive? Which ones repel you or leave you cold? Are there some that, frankly, you just don’t understand?

Now, choose a couple of groups who are discussing something you feel interested in and where you feel like you might want to contribute. You want to make your entry into this group by asking a question – a question that will make the other people in the group turn around and look at you, listen to you, and think, “That’s interesting”.

Your dissertation will be the process of setting that question and then trying to find at least a partial answer to that question – but don’t worry about that now.  Right now, you need to work out what conversations are going on, whether any of them are related or overlapping, and which ones you might be able to walk into. I’ll explain how you find that question in the next step.

Need a helping hand?

Step 4: Identify potential research questions

Now that you have a decent understanding of the state of the literature in your area(s) of interest, it’s time to start developing your list of possible research topics. There are (at least) three approaches you can follow here, and they are not mutually exclusive:

Approach 1: Leverage the FRIN

Towards the end of most quality journal articles, you will find a section labelled “ further research ” or something similar. Generally, researchers will clearly outline where they feel further research is needed (FRIN), following on from their own research. So, essentially, every journal article presents you with a list of potential research opportunities.

Of course, only a handful of these will be both practical and of interest to you, so it’s not a quick-fix solution to finding a research topic. However, the benefit of going this route is that you will be able to find a genuinely original and meaningful research topic (which is particularly important for PhD-level research).

The upside to this approach is originality, but the downside is that you might not find something that really interests you , or that you have the means to execute. If you do go this route, make sure that you pay attention to the journal article dates, as the FRIN may already have been “solved” by other researchers if the article is old.

Approach 2: Put a context-based spin on an existing topic

The second option is to consider whether a theory which is already well established is relevant within a local or industry-specific context. For example, a theory about the antecedents (drivers) of trust is very well established, but there may be unique or uniquely important drivers within a specific national context or industry (for example, within the financial services industry in an emerging market).

If that industry or national context has not yet been covered by researchers and there is a good reason to believe there may be meaningful differences within that context, then you have an opportunity to take a unique angle on well-established theory, which can make for a great piece of research. It is however imperative that you have a good reason to believe that the existing theory may not be wholly relevant within your chosen context, or your research will not be justified.

The upside to this approach is that you can potentially find a topic that is “closer to home” and more relevant and interesting to you , while still being able to draw on a well-established body of theory. However, the downside is that this approach will likely not produce the level of originality as approach #1.

Approach 3: Uncensored brainstorming

The third option is to skip the FRIN, as well as the local/industry-specific angle and simply engage in a freeform brainstorming or mind-mapping session, using your newfound knowledge of the theory to formulate potential research ideas. What’s important here is that you do not censor yourself . However crazy, unfeasible, or plain stupid your topic appears – write it down. All that matters right now is that you are interested in this thing.

Next, try to turn the topic(s) into a question or problem. For example:

• What is the relationship between X, Y & Z?
• What are the drivers/antecedents of X?
• What are the outcomes of Y?
• What are the key success factors for Z?

Re-word your list of topics or issues into a list of questions .  You might find at this stage that one research topic throws up three questions (which then become sub-topics and even new separate topics in their own right) and in so doing, the list grows. Let it. Don’t hold back or try to start evaluating your ideas yet – just let them flow onto paper.

Once you’ve got a few topics and questions on paper, check the literature again to see whether any of these have been covered by the existing research. Since you came up with these from scratch, there is a possibility that your original literature search did not cover them, so it’s important to revisit that phase to ensure that you’re familiar with the relevant literature for each idea. You may also then find that approach #1 and #2 can be used to build on these ideas.

Try use all three approaches

As mentioned earlier, the three approaches discussed here are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the more, the merrier. Hopefully, you manage to utilise all three, as this will give you the best odds of producing a rich list of ideas, which you can then narrow down and evaluate, which is the next step.

Step 5: Narrow down, then evaluate

By this stage, you should have a healthy list of research topics. Step away from the ideation and thinking for a few days, clear your mind. The key is to get some distance from your ideas, so that you can sit down with your list and review it with a more objective view. The unbridled ideation phase is over and now it’s time to take a reality check .

Look at your list and see if any options can be crossed off right away .  Maybe you don’t want to do that topic anymore. Maybe the topic turned out to be too broad and threw up 20 hard to answer questions. Maybe all the literature you found about it was 30 years old and you suspect it might not be a very engaging contemporary issue . Maybe this topic is so over-researched that you’ll struggle to find anything fresh to say. Also, after stepping back, it’s quite common to notice that 2 or 3 of your topics are really the same one, the same question, which you’ve written down in slightly different ways. You can try to amalgamate these into one succinct topic.

Narrow down to the top 5, then evaluate

Now, take your streamlined list and narrow it down to the ‘top 5’ that interest you the most. Personal interest is your key evaluation criterion at this stage. Got your ‘top 5’?  Great!  Now, with a cool head and your best analytical mind engaged, go systematically through each option and evaluate them against the following criteria:

Research questions – what is the main research question, and what are the supporting sub-questions? It’s critically important that you can define these questions clearly and concisely. If you cannot do this, it means you haven’t thought the topic through sufficiently.

Originality – is the topic sufficiently original, as per your university’s originality requirements? Are you able to add something unique to the existing conversation? As mentioned earlier, originality can come in many forms, and it doesn’t mean that you need to find a completely new, cutting-edge topic. However, your university’s requirements should guide your decision-making here.

Importance – is the topic of real significance, or is it just a “nice to know”? If it’s significant, why? Who will benefit from finding the answer to your desired questions and how will they benefit? Justifying your research will be a key requirement for your research proposal , so it’s really important to develop a convincing argument here.

Literature – is there a contemporary (current) body of academic literature around this issue? Is there enough literature for you to base your investigation on, but not too much that the topic is “overdone”? Will you be able to navigate this literature or is it overwhelming?

Data requirements – What kind of data would you need access to in order to answer your key questions?  Would you need to adopt a qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods approach to answer your questions? At this stage, you don’t need to be able to map out your exact research design, but you should be able to articulate how you would approach it in high-level terms. Will you use qual, quant or mixed methods? Why?

Feasibility – How feasible would it be to gather the data that would be needed in the time-frame that you have – and do you have the will power and the skills to do it? If you’re not confident with the theory, you don’t want something that’s going to draw you into a debate about the relative importance of epistemology and ontology. If you are shy, you won’t want to be doing ethnographic interviews. If you feel this question calls for a 100-person survey, do you have the time to plan, organise and conduct it and then analyse it? What will you do if you don’t get the response rate you expect? Be very realistic here and also ask advice from your supervisor and other experts – poor response rates are extremely common and can derail even the best research projects.

Personal attraction – On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you about this topic? Will addressing it add value to your life and/or career? Will undertaking the project help you build a skill you’ve previously wanted to work on (for example, interview skills, statistical analysis skills, software skills, etc.)?

The last point is particularly important. You will have to engage with your dissertation in a very sustained and deep way, face challenges and difficulties, and get it to completion. If you don’t start out enthusiastic about it, you’re setting yourself up for problems like ‘writer’s block’ or ‘burnout’ down the line. This is the reason personal interest was the sole evaluation criterion when we chose the top 5. So, don’t underestimate the importance of personal attraction to a topic – at the same time, don’t let personal attraction lead you to choose a topic that is not relevant to your course or feasible given your resources. 

Narrow down to 3, then get human feedback

We’re almost at the finishing line. The next step is to narrow down to 2 or 3 shortlisted topics. No more!  Write a short paragraph about each topic, addressing the following:

Firstly,  WHAT will this study be about? Frame the topic as a question or a problem. Write it as a dissertation title. No more than two clauses and no more than 15 words. Less than 15 is better (go back to good journal articles for inspiration on appropriate title styles).

Secondly, WHY this is interesting (original) and important – as proven by existing academic literature? Are people talking about this and is there an acknowledged problem, debate or gap in the literature?

Lastly,  HOW do you plan to answer the question? What sub-questions will you use? What methods does this call for and how competent and confident are you in those methods? Do you have the time to gather the data this calls for?

Show the shortlist and accompanying paragraphs to a couple of your peers from your course and also to an expert or two if at all possible (you’re welcome to reach out to us ), explaining what you will investigate, why this is original and important and how you will go about investigating it. 

Once you’ve pitched your ideas, ask for the following thoughts :

• Which is most interesting and appealing to them?
• Why do they feel this way?
• What problems do they foresee with the execution of the research?

Take advice and feedback and sit on it for another day. Let it simmer in your mind overnight before you make the final decision.  

Step 6: Make the decision (and stick with it!)

Then, make the commitment. Choose the one that you feel most confident about, having now considered both your opinion and the feedback from others.

Once you’ve made a decision, don’t doubt your judgement, don’t shift.  Don’t be tempted by the ones you left behind. You’ve planned and thought things through, checked feasibility and now you can start.  You have your research topic. Trust your own decision-making process and stick with it now. It’s time to get started on your research proposal!

Let’s recap…

In this post, I’ve proposed a straightforward 6-step plan to finding relevant research topic ideas and then narrowing them down to finally choose one winner. To recap:

• Understand the basics of academic research, as well as your university’s specific requirements for a dissertation, thesis or research project.
• Review previous dissertations for your course to get an idea of both topics and structure.
• Start the ideation process by familiarising yourself with the literature.
• Identify your potential research questions (topics).
• Narrow down your options, then evaluate systematically.
• Make your decision (and don’t look back!)

If you follow these steps, you’ll find that they also set you up for what’s coming next – both the proposal and the first three chapters of your dissertation. But that’s for future posts!

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

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23 Comments

I would love to get a topic under teachers performance. I am a student of MSC Monitoring and Evaluations and I need a topic in the line of monitoring and evaluations

I just we put for some full notes that are payable

Thank you very much Dr Caroline

I need a project topics on transfer of learning

m a PhD Student I would like to be assisted inn formulating a title around: Internet of Things for online education in higher education – STEM (Science, technology, engineering and Mathematics, digital divide ) Thank you, would appreciate your guidance

Well structured guide on the topic… Good materials for beginners in research writing…

Hello Iam kindly seeking for help in formulating a researchable topic for masters degree program in line with teaching GRAPHIC ART

I read a thesis about a problem in a particular. Can I use the same topic just referring to my own country? Is that being original? The interview questions will mostly be the same as the other thesis.

Hi, thanks I managed to listen to the video so helpful indeed. I am currently an MBA student looking for a specific topic and I have different ideas that not sure they can be turned to be a study.

I am doing a Master of Theology in Pastoral Care and Counselling and I felt like doing research on Spiritual problem cause by substance abuse among Youth. Can I get help to formulate the Thesis Title in line with it…please

Hello, I am kindly seeking help in formulating a researchable topic for a National diploma program

As a beginner in research, I am very grateful for this well-structured material on research writing.

Hello, I watched the video and its very helpful. I’m a student in Nursing (degree). May you please help me with any research problems (in Namibian society or Nursing) that need to be evaluate or solved?

I have been greatly impacted. Thank you.

more than useful… there will be no justification if someone fails to get a topic for his thesis

I watched the video and its really helpful.

How can i started discovery

Analysing the significance of Integrated reporting in Zimbabwe. A case of institutional investors. this is my topic for PHD Accounting sciences need help with research questions

Excellent session that cleared lots of doubts.

Excellent session that cleared lots of doubts

It was a nice one thank you

Wow, This helped a lot not only with how to find a research topic but inspired me to kick it off from now, I am a final year student of environmental science. And have to complete my project in the coming six months.

I was really stressed and thinking about different topics that I don’t know nothing about and having more than a hundred topics in the baggage, couldn’t make the tradeoff among them, however, reading this scrubbed the fuzzy layer off my head and now it seems like really easy.

Thanks GRADCOACH, you saved me from getting into the rabbit hole.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Container liner shipping'

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Consult the top 44 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'Container liner shipping.'

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李少萍 and Siu-ping Sonia Lee. "The role of container liner shipping in the logistics industry: opportunities and challenges." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2002. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B42576301.

Lee, Siu-ping Sonia. "The role of container liner shipping in the logistics industry : opportunities and challenges /." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 2002. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B42576301.

Salleh, N. H. M. "Strategic risk and reliability assessment in the container liner shipping industry under high uncertainties." Thesis, Liverpool John Moores University, 2015. http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/4429/.

Řídký, František. "Změny na trhu námořní kontejnerové přepravy vyvolané světovou hospodářskou krizí." Master's thesis, Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze, 2010. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-74509.

Hwang, Ki Soon. "A comparative study of logistics services in the container liner shipping market in the U.K. and South Korea." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/447.

Kutin, Nikola. "Market structure in the Container Liner Shipping Industry : an analysis of the maritime network, port efficiency and competition." Thesis, Nantes, 2018. http://www.theses.fr/2018NANT2025/document.

Yang, Cheng-Yun (Mark). "Understanding the role of b2b social and relational factors on web-based EDI adoption : a collaborative approach in the container liner shipping industry." Thesis, Royal Holloway, University of London, 2013. http://repository.royalholloway.ac.uk/items/8fbbe328-4d42-43ed-b4cf-5c3ec721c248/1/.

Schaper, Teemu. "Organizational structure of ocean carriers in Central Europe and related benefits and problems." Master's thesis, Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze, 2012. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-113288.

Tran, Nguyen Khoi Verfasser], Hans-Dietrich [Akademischer Betreuer] [Haasis, and Buer [Akademischer Betreuer] Tobias. "Studying Network design in Container linter shipping / Nguyen Khoi Tran. Betreuer: Haasis Hans-Dietrich. Gutachter: Haasis Hans-Dietrich ; Buer Tobias." Bremen : Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Bremen, 2015. http://d-nb.info/1078720258/34.

Lapinski, Richard Allen. "A case study to determine the feasibility of on-line ink jet printing of bar codes onto corrugated shipping containers /." Online version of thesis, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/1850/12226.

Huang, Po-Shun, and 黃柏舜. "Reefer Container Assignment for a Single Line Service in Liner Shipping." Thesis, 2011. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/91226145069380238118.

Liao, Chun-Chieh, and 廖俊傑. "A study of excess capacity in container liner shipping market." Thesis, 2009. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/32344406763775824901.

Shu-ChiaoLin and 林舒喬. "A Bi-level Container Flow Prediction Model for Liner Shipping." Thesis, 2019. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/42qg5u.

Pu, Lin-En, and 浦臨恩. "Container Throughput and Liner Shipping Connectivity: An Evidence from Gravity Model." Thesis, 2018. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/37dh5e.

Huang, Wan-Yu, and 黃琬瑜. "An Optimization Model Of FleetDeployment And Composition For Container Liner Shipping." Thesis, 2006. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/37915772003691779778.

Feng-Ming, Wang, and 王鳳明. "TOWS - AHP Analysis in decision making of developing a container liner shipping route-An Empirical study of a Taiwanese Container Shipping Company." Thesis, 2006. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/23296490573325748447.

Chen, Yi-Kai, and 陳逸凱. "Analyzing Container Liner Shipping Company’s Selection Model for Mix-Multi-Trade Cycle Routing." Thesis, 2012. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/40446915540646758931.

Lu, Wan-Pei, and 盧宛佩. "Analysis of Influential Factors and Forecast of Container Volume for a Liner Shipping Route." Thesis, 2011. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/83847676471296058362.

Kai, Liao Kuo, and 廖國凱. "The Risk of Seafares' Fatigue and Ship Routing and Scheduling in Container Liner Shipping." Thesis, 2014. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/43979993312588207726.

Chien, Chia-Liang Chang, and 張簡嘉亮. "Evaluating the Performances of Dedicated Container Terminals-A Case Study of a Global Liner Shipping Company." Thesis, 2011. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/70957523285121143458.

Phuong, Vu Hoai, and 倵懷芳. "Cost efficiency and Operational barriers analysis of Ultra large container ships in the liner shipping industry." Thesis, 2018. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/gu3949.

Ma, Yu-Ching, and 馬玉青. "A Study on Deciding Option of Adopting Ultra-Large Vessel by Liner Container Shipping Business in Taiwan." Thesis, 2006. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/92613621297568886475.

Lin, Shih-Hao, and 林士豪. "A study of liner shipping optimization resource Allocation of dedicated container terminals – An application of Centralized Data Envelopment Analysis." Thesis, 2012. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/61319707642627579354.

Shieh, Miin Shyong, and 謝敏雄. "Competitive strategy of container shipping lines at Taiwan." Thesis, 2011. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/53835864004572858332.

Chien, Ping-Min, and 簡秉民. "Transit Path Planning of Seaborne Containers for Shipping Liner." Thesis, 2009. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/06233413126928485219.

Liu, Hsieh-Wen, and 劉學文. "Determinants of Long Term Leased Containers for Liner Shipping Carriers." Thesis, 2012. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/04469192006701136320.

Chang, Chih-Cheng, and 張智誠. "Developing Strategies Toward Carbon Tax for a Container Shipping Line." Thesis, 2012. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/32652763103929084859.

Yu, Shyh-Ching, and 游世青. "The study on supply chain safety management of container shipping liners." Thesis, 2007. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/89985118445935275575.

Chang, Tzu-Chiao, and 張紫喬. "Using DEA to Evaluate the Performance of Asia's Top Ten Container Shipping Lines." Thesis, 2010. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/77855496609122072333.

Su, Yu-Chen, and 蘇裕珍. "Applying fuzzy quality function deployment on customer relationship management for container shipping lines." Thesis, 2010. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/54136814121280732740.

吳筱芸. "Shipper's Perspective: An Evaluation of Key Service Attributes in Choosing Container Shipping Lines." Thesis, 2011. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/81506110072373803049.

Chang, Hui Ying, and 張慧瑩. "The Influence of Vertical Integration on the Competitive Advantage in Container Shipping Lines - A Case Study of Yang Ming Line." Thesis, 2010. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/74952931093549452011.

"The rationale and problems of the round-the-world shipping service." Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1986. http://library.cuhk.edu.hk/record=b5885620.

Yu, Chung-Lung, and 余琮鎔. "An Assessment to the Input Efficiency of Fleet Tonnages for Global Container Shipping Lines." Thesis, 2011. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/62844931006569045153.

Ho, Tien-Chun, and 賀天君. "An Analysis of Target Market and Competitive Position for Container Shipping Lines in Taiwan." Thesis, 2017. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/ahx9bt.

Lan, Chun-Chang, and 藍春長. "A Study of Business Strategies on Container Shipping Industry－As Example of M Line." Thesis, 2008. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/78978482577871923024.

Shu-Fen, Chen, and 陳淑芬. "The Allocation of Empty Containers in Liner Shipping— Take Trans-Pacific Route as a Case." Thesis, 2002. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/15221553256075254302.

Jyue, Jhih-Kai, and 覺致凱. "An Analysis of Key Influence Factors of Container Shipping Lines’ Choice Behavior for Ship Management Company." Thesis, 2015. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/51345842886132243893.

LIN, FU-FIAN, and 林福添. "An empirical analysis of variation in shipping schedule of container liner:a case study of container line from Far East to North America." Thesis, 1987. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/51312617797636708848.

Li-Xuan, Wu, and 吳立暄. "The Impact of Ship Enlargement and Industrial Restructure among Container Shipping Lines toward Operations of Freight Forwarders." Thesis, 2018. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/rexu6k.

YANG, SHU-CHUN, and 楊舒君. "The Analysis of Customer Relationship Management toward Customer Satisfaction: A Case Study of Regional Container Shipping Lines." Thesis, 2018. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/z2apq3.

Chen, Yi-Ming, and 陳顗民. "Analyses of Key Influential Factors in Shippers’ Decisions among Ocean Freight Forwarders and Containers Shipping Lines." Thesis, 2010. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/92236691542973680732.

Fu-Chiao and 林福僑. "A Study of How the Branding Strategy of Container Shipping Lines Influences the Freight Forwarders in the Selection of Carriers in Taiwan Market." Thesis, 2006. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/72906519012431766822.

Correia, Maria de Fátima Simões Évora Queirós. "A escolha dum terminal de contentores nas perspectivas do operador de linhas e do transitário." Master's thesis, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/18523.

50 Best Finance Dissertation Topics For Research Students

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Finance Dissertation Made Easier!

Embarking on your dissertation adventure? Look no further! Choosing the right finance dissertation topics is like laying the foundation for your research journey in Finance, and we're here to light up your path. In this blog, we're diving deep into why dissertation topics in finance matter so much. We've got some golden writing tips to share with you! We're also unveiling the secret recipe for structuring a stellar finance dissertation and exploring intriguing topics across various finance sub-fields. Whether you're captivated by cryptocurrency, risk management strategies, or exploring the wonders of Internet banking, microfinance, retail and commercial banking - our buffet of Finance dissertation topics will surely set your research spirit on fire!

What is a Finance Dissertation?

Finance dissertations are academic papers that delve into specific finance topics chosen by students, covering areas such as stock markets, banking, risk management, and healthcare finance. These dissertations require extensive research to create a compelling report and contribute to the student's confidence and satisfaction in the field of Finance. Now, let's understand why these dissertations are so important and why choosing the right Finance dissertation topics is crucial!

Why Are Finance Dissertation Topics Important?

Choosing the dissertation topics for Finance students is essential as it will influence the course of your research. It determines the direction and scope of your study. You must make sure that the Finance dissertation topics you choose are relevant to your field of interest, or you may end up finding it more challenging to write. Here are a few reasons why finance thesis topics are important:

1. Relevance

Opting for relevant finance thesis topics ensures that your research contributes to the existing body of knowledge and addresses contemporary issues in the field of Finance. Choosing a dissertation topic in Finance that is relevant to the industry can make a meaningful impact and advance understanding in your chosen area.

2. Personal Interest

Selecting Finance dissertation topics that align with your interests and career goals is vital. When genuinely passionate about your research area, you are more likely to stay motivated during the dissertation process. Your interest will drive you to explore the subject thoroughly and produce high-quality work.

3. Future Opportunities

Well-chosen Finance dissertation topics can open doors to various future opportunities. It can enhance your employability by showcasing your expertise in a specific finance area. It may lead to potential research collaborations and invitations to conferences in your field of interest.

4. Academic Supervision

Your choice of topics for dissertation in Finance also influences the availability of academic supervisors with expertise in your chosen area. Selecting a well-defined research area increases the likelihood of finding a supervisor to guide you effectively throughout the dissertation. Their knowledge and guidance will greatly contribute to the success of your research.

Writing Tips for Finance Dissertation

A lot of planning, formatting, and structuring goes into writing a dissertation. It starts with deciding on topics for a dissertation in Finance and conducting tons of research, deciding on methods, and so on. However, you can navigate the process more effectively with proper planning and organisation. Below are some tips to assist you along the way, and here is a blog on the 10 tips on writing a dissertation that can give you more information, should you need it!

1. Select a Manageable Topic

Choosing Finance research topics within the given timeframe and resources is important. Select a research area that interests you and aligns with your career goals. It will help you stay inspired throughout the dissertation process.

2. Conduct a Thorough Literature Review

A comprehensive literature review forms the backbone of your research. After choosing the Finance dissertation topics, dive deep into academic papers, books, and industry reports, gaining a solid understanding of your chosen area to identify research gaps and establish the significance of your study.

3. Define Clear Research Objectives

Clearly define your dissertation's research questions and objectives. It will provide a clear direction for your research and guide your data collection, analysis, and overall structure. Ensure your objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

4. Collect and Analyse Data

Depending on your research methodology and your Finance dissertation topics, collect and analyze relevant data to support your findings. It may involve conducting surveys, interviews, experiments, and analyzing existing datasets. Choose appropriate statistical techniques and qualitative methods to derive meaningful insights from your data.

5. Structure and Organization

Pay attention to the structure and organization of your dissertation. Follow a logical progression of chapters and sections, ensuring that each chapter contributes to the overall coherence of your study. Use headings, subheadings, and clear signposts to guide the reader through your work.

6. Proofread and Edit

Once you have completed the writing process, take the time to proofread and edit your dissertation carefully. Check for clarity, coherence, and proper grammar. Ensure that your arguments are well-supported, and eliminate any inconsistencies or repetitions. Pay attention to formatting, citation styles, and consistency in referencing throughout your dissertation.

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Finance Dissertation Topics

Now that you know what a finance dissertation is and why they are important, it's time to have a look at some of the best Finance dissertation topics. For your convenience, we have segregated these topics into categories, including cryptocurrency, risk management, internet banking, and so many more. So, let's dive right in and explore the best Finance dissertation topics:

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Cryptocurrency

1. The Impact of Regulatory Frameworks on the Volatility and Liquidity of Cryptocurrencies.

2. Exploring the Factors Influencing Cryptocurrency Adoption: A Comparative Study.

3. Assessing the Efficiency and Market Integration of Cryptocurrency Exchanges.

4. An Analysis of the Relationship between Cryptocurrency Prices and Macroeconomic Factors.

5. The Role of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) in Financing Startups: Opportunities and Challenges.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Risk Management

1. The Effectiveness of Different Risk Management Strategies in Mitigating Financial Risks in Banking Institutions.

2. The Role of Derivatives in Hedging Financial Risks: A Comparative Study.

3. Analyzing the Impact of Risk Management Practices on Firm Performance: A Case Study of a Specific Industry.

4. The Use of Stress Testing in Evaluating Systemic Risk: Lessons from the Global Financial Crisis.

5. Assessing the Relationship between Corporate Governance and Risk Management in Financial Institutions.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Internet Banking

1. Customer Adoption of Internet Banking: An Empirical Study on Factors Influencing Usage.

Enhancing Security in Internet Banking: Exploring Biometric Authentication Technologies.

2. The Impact of Mobile Banking Applications on Customer Engagement and Satisfaction.

3. Evaluating the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Internet Banking Services in Emerging Markets.

4. The Role of Social Media in Shaping Customer Perception and Adoption of Internet Banking.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Microfinance

1. The Impact of Microfinance on Poverty Alleviation: A Comparative Study of Different Models.

2. Exploring the Role of Microfinance in Empowering Women Entrepreneurs.

3. Assessing the Financial Sustainability of Microfinance Institutions in Developing Countries.

4. The Effectiveness of Microfinance in Promoting Rural Development: Evidence from a Specific Region.

5. Analyzing the Relationship between Microfinance and Entrepreneurial Success: A Longitudinal Study.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Retail and Commercial Banking

1. The Impact of Digital Transformation on Retail and Commercial Banking: A Case Study of a Specific Bank.

2. Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty in Retail Banking: An Analysis of Service Quality Dimensions.

3. Analyzing the Relationship between Bank Branch Expansion and Financial Performance.

4. The Role of Fintech Startups in Disrupting Retail and Commercial Banking: Opportunities and Challenges.

5. Assessing the Impact of Mergers and Acquisitions on the Performance of Retail and Commercial Banks.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Alternative Investment

1. The Performance and Risk Characteristics of Hedge Funds: A Comparative Analysis.

2. Exploring the Role of Private Equity in Financing and Growing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.

3. Analyzing the Relationship between Real Estate Investments and Portfolio Diversification.

4. The Potential of Impact Investing: Evaluating the Social and Financial Returns.

5. Assessing the Risk-Return Tradeoff in Cryptocurrency Investments: A Comparative Study.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to International Affairs

1. The Impact of Exchange Rate Volatility on International Trade: A Case Study of a Specific Industry.

2. Analyzing the Effectiveness of Capital Controls in Managing Financial Crises: Comparative Study of Different Countries.

3. The Role of International Financial Institutions in Promoting Economic Development in Developing Countries.

4. Evaluating the Implications of Trade Wars on Global Financial Markets.

5. Assessing the Role of Central Banks in Managing Financial Stability in a Globalized Economy.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Sustainable Finance

1. The impact of sustainable investing on financial performance.

2. The role of green bonds in financing climate change mitigation and adaptation.

3. The development of carbon markets.

4. The use of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in investment decision-making.

5. The challenges and opportunities of sustainable Finance in emerging markets.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Investment Banking

1. The valuation of distressed assets.

2. The pricing of derivatives.

3. The risk management of financial institutions.

4. The regulation of investment banks.

5. The impact of technology on the investment banking industry.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Actuarial Science

1. The development of new actuarial models for pricing insurance products.

2. The use of big data in actuarial analysis.

3. The impact of climate change on insurance risk.

4. The design of pension plans that are sustainable in the long term.

5. The use of actuarial science to manage risk in other industries, such as healthcare and Finance.

Tips To Find Good Finance Dissertation Topics 

Embarking on a financial dissertation journey requires careful consideration of various factors. Your choice of topic in finance research topics is pivotal, as it sets the stage for the entire research process. Finding a good financial dissertation topic is essential to blend your interests with the current trends in the financial landscape. We suggest the following tips that can help you pick the perfect dissertation topic:

1. Identify your interests and strengths 

2. Check for current relevance

3. Feedback from your superiors

4. Finalise the research methods

5. Gather the data

6. Work on the outline of your dissertation

7. Make a draft and proofread it

In this blog, we have discussed the importance of finance thesis topics and provided valuable writing tips and tips for finding the right topic, too. We have also presented a list of topics within various subfields of Finance. With this, we hope you have great ideas for finance dissertations. Good luck with your finance research journey!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i research for my dissertation project topics in finance, what is the best topic for dissertation topics for mba finance, what is the hardest finance topic, how do i choose the right topic for my dissertation in finance, where can i find a dissertation topic in finance.

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Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Impact of crude oil trade on Nigeria’s economy: a time series approach , Ihuoma Grace Chukwuma-ekwueme. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Nigeria. )

Leveraging bargaining power in the international crude oil market: an analytical exploration of China's trade dynamics with leading oil-exporting nations , Adama Jatta and Farouq Umar Sani. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Gambia,Nigeria. )

Pricing ocean freight services: a bargaining perspective , Pankaj Kumar and Juan Manuel Cerpa. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, India,USA. )

Evaluating the efficacy of shipping pools : an empirical analysis of tanker and dry bulk segments , Ashraf Mahmud. ( Shipping Management & Logistics,

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Implementing green port strategies in Saudi ports to achieve environmental sustainability , Saleh Mohammed Alzahrani. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Saudi Arabia. )

Analysis of the impact of establishing public shipping company in Timor-Leste , Júlio Dos Santos. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Timor-Leste. )

Impact of maritime trade on the Sierra Leonean economy , Raju Gidwani. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Sierra Leone. )

Shipping asset pricing: a Rubinstein bargaining approach , Mohiul Mohammad Islam, Alina Balasanyan, and Mirfat Mbarak Mohamed. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Bangladesh,Georgia,Kenya. )

The impact of the digital maturity level on port operations in Africa , Joyce Wanjiru Kaburu. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Kenya. )

Business model innovation in marine engine maintanance , Dofilia Sinangui Kaloia. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Angola. )

Measurement of digital maturity in liner shipping companies’ business models , Lukas Muthee Maganjo. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Kenya. )

Relationship between hinterland connectivity with logistics performance: a case of Sarawak, Malaysia , Nur Haziqah Binti Japar. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Malaysia. )

Nowcasting GDP of Singapore through-the-lens of maritime trade and services , Amrita Kumar Saha, Laxmi Hari Kamath, and Pfarlin Imperio Cortes. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Bangladesh,India,Phillipines. )

Analysis of the relationship between international trade and economic growth of Jordan , Mohammed Ali Salem Shubeilat. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Jordan. )

Digital readiness of container terminals for digital technology adoption: a case study of Vietnam , Anh Tuấn Vu. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Vietnam. )

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Impact of international commodity trade on Australia’s economy , Leticia Asiimirwe. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Uganda. )

Ship investment strategy: a case study of VLCC tankers , Epimachus Mulisa Burchard. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Tanzania. )

Improving logistics performance index in Myanmar: lessons from Thailand , Khaing Zar Zar Htun. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Myanmar. )

An assessment of factors causing port congestion in Nigeria: a case of Lagos-Apapa Port , Asabe Mimi Oruwari. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Nigeria. )

A review of digital maturity models for shipping companies , Stephen Kgadi Rakoma. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, South Africa. )

Retaining competitive advantage in ship recycling under the new regulatory framework: a case study of Bangladesh , Wahidul Sheikh. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Bangladesh. )

Factors affecting crude oil and VLCC market , Shwe Sin Htay and Fatoumatta K. Jatta. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Myanmar,Gambia. )

The impact of international trade of commodities on the economic growth of South Africa , Ayanda Priscilla Sikobi. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, South Africa. )

Digitalization in ship management and operations: use of digital twin technology to monitor marine fouling , Walid Mohamed Ali Awadh Timimi. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Kenya. )

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

How to reduce the vessel turnaround time for tanker vessel : A comparative analysis of the King Fahad Industrial Port in Yanbu with Port of Ras Tanura , Mutlaq Nasser Alsubaie. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Saudi Arabia. )

Evaluation on Ethiopian "FOB" (Free On Board) Directive : cost -benefit analysis on sea transport cost of Ethiopian containerized and dry bulk import goods , Eskedar Behailu Amare. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Ethiopia. )

Factors influencing the dry bulk sales and purchase market : capesize vessels , Alexandros N. Atzas. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Greece. )

Selection of dry port location in the hinterland of Chattogram Port : a fuzzy AHP-BWM-PROMETHEE approach , Mohammed Mojahid Hossain Chowdhury. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Bangladesh. )

Relationship between port performance and economic development : a case study on the Freeport of Monrovia , Deanna Dolobah-Togba. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Liberia. )

The smart port and its potential to lead development : a South African perspective , Sindiswa Cindy Dube. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, South Africa. )

Can capacity building influence port state control enforcement levels of the MARPOL 73/78 Convention?: a study on the Caribbean , Candice Latoya Gomez. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Trinidad and Tobago. )

The application of renewable energy supply in a port container terminal : Bandar Abbas Port container terminal case study , Zhila Gordani. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Iran. )

Strategic alliances in container shipping and their impacts on non-alliance carriers : a Liberian perspective , Cyrus Michael Johnson. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Liberia. )

Investigation on demand for shipowning in South Africa : focus on dry-bulk cargo , Stanley Musawenkosi John Kubheka. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, South Africa. )

Modelling the investment decision in the dry bulk sector : the choice of a second hand vessel versus a newly built vessel , Rikki Quenessa Lambey. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Belize. )

Mind the cap : case study of Sulpher 2020 cap for Vietnam tanker joint stock company , Tran Hai Au La. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Vietnam. )

An impact of maritime trade on the Nigerian economy , Femi Emmanuel Ogunleye. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Nigeria. )

Geographical distribution of dry bulk tramp ships: determining probability of employment , Marion Zenarosa Penales. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Philippines. )

Consolidation in liner shipping: an analysis of market concentration in liner shipping in Ghana , Kwesi Saforo. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Ghana. )

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Efficiency and competitiveness analysis of port of Izmir , Oğuz Alpcan. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Turkey. )

Decarbonising the global supply chain: which fuel alternative should shipping companies turn to? : a feasibility study of the implementation of biofuels , Kareen Miharivola Andriantsiferana. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Madagascar. )

Determining the factors affecting investment decision on tanker industry: a case study on Bangladesh Shipping Corporation , Shaikh Hasanul Banna. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Bangladesh. )

Developing a shipping registration strategy for the Philippines: a business and policy framework , Althea Marie E. Calag and Carlo B. Cruz. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Philippines. )

The impacts of online direct channel on pricing strategy and profits: a conceptual application to container shipping company , Li Chen and Anh Thi Mai Nguyen. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, China,Vietnam. )

Emissions control investment policy for the 2020 sulphur cap implemented by Port of Gothenburg as a model for the Port of Mombasa , Luis M. Colmenares and Wachira W. Margaret. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Venezuela,Kenya. )

Analyzing, evaluating and improving the logistics performance index (LPI) of a country's economy: Case study : Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco , Tolulope Olubunmi Dare, Lois Nana Adjoa Aubyn, and Taoufik Boumgard. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Nigeria,Ghana,Morocco. )

Socioeconomic impacts of illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing on Sierra Leone , Michael Tamba Fillie. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Sierra Leone. )

Assessing the prospects and challenges of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation in the context of the China's 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative , Tarequl Islam. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Bangladesh. )

Developing strategies to improve competitiveness of shipping companies : a case of state-owned Ethiopian shipping and logistics service enterprise , Darek Abebe Kebede. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Ethiopia. )

A critical evaluation of potential outcomes of using modern artificial intelligence and big data analysis technology in maritime industry , Kamran Latifov. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Azerbaijan. )

Assessment of factors causing port congestion: a case of the port Dar es Salaam , Fadhili Harubu Maneno. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Tanzania. )

Development of Angola offshore bunkering market post 2020, towards a hub for the Sub-Saharan West Africa , Aguinaldo Antonio Pedro. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Angola. )

Logistics performance and its impact to exports growth of Sri Lanka , Sebastian Shanika Roshini. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Sri Lanka. )

The lead-lag relationship between vessel traffic and dry bulk freight market , Deni̇z Can Serter. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Turkey. )

Awareness of cypersecurity threats in the Port of the Freetown, Sierra Leone , Malik Abdul Karim Sesay. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Sierra Leone. )

IMO 2020 sulfur cap: green investment in shipping industry , Nishank Sharma. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, India. )

The economic impact of low sulphur compliance on future fuel cost and container freight rates: a case study of Shanghai-Lagos , Usman Shuaibu. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Nigeria. )

Port selection criteria from logistics service providers' perspective: a case study of West Africa , Blessing Abimbola Simeon. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Nigeria. )

Analysis of the role of the shipping agent in the logistics chain and operations of crude oil tankers, during their port call to the oil terminal of Balao, Ecuador: case of study : EP FLOPEC , Juan Sebastian Vasquez Alvarez. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Ecuador. )

Comparative analysis of SOx emission control technologies for container ships , Tongxu Zhang. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, China. )

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Performance evaluation and solutions for port congestion focused on the container terminal: a case study of Khalifa bin Salman Port (KBSP) Kingdom of Bahrain , Mohamed Ebrahim A.S. Alhameedi, Abud Jamal Said, and Tri Wahyunita Mudjiono. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Bahrain, Kenya, Indonesia. )

Thailand VTS: an analysis of its capabilities to enhance the safety and efficiency of navigation , Theeratch Amphanthongpaphakul. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Thailand. )

Assessing the impact of national single window on the competitiveness of Ghana's maritme sector , Rhodalyn Djanitey. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Ghana. )

The impact of autonomous ships on the containerised shipping interface of global supply chains- and networks: a literature examination of selected stakeholder perspectives , Dirk Johannes Janse Van Rensburg. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, South Africa. )

A case study: feasibility analysis of container feeder vessel as a short sea shipping services in the Caspian Sea , Agshin Mukhtarov. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Azerbaijan. )

Maritime cargo claims in Vietnam: practical issues and the design of a virtual consultancy expert system based on artificial intelligience to assist non-lawyer users , Thi Mai Phuong Pham and Thi Minh Hang Hoang. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Vietnam. )

Global logistics trend spillover through container and RoRo shipping in North Europe short sea shipping , Jee Young Yoo. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, South Korea. )

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Assessment of the best dry port location in Jordan , Omar Soud Aleteiwi. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Jordan. )

A study on the practical use of operations research and vessels big data in benefit of efficient ports utilization in Panama , Gabriel Fuentes Lezcano. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Panama. )

Prevention and combat of a spillage after Ghana's oil and gas discovery: is Ghana ready to face an environmental threat? , John Baker Amissah Glover. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Ghana. )

The potential of Vizhinjam Port as a regional hub: a network analysis : a feasibility analysis from a network perspective , Pratichi Rajan Mallick. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, India. )

Understanding the motives for digital transformation in the container shipping sector , Ntsako Nkuna. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, South Africa. )

Impacts of anti-corruption interventions: measures in the shipping industry , Mirana Rabarijaona. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Madagascar. )

A critical evaluation of how free trade zones and maritime activities impact on port development: a case study of the port of Kingston , Nicolas Kareem Spence. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Jamaica. )

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Private ownership of shipping lines in Ghana: the challenges and the way forward , Priscilla Akua Afful. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Ghana. )

The impact of hinterland transport on port operational performance: a Jordanian case , Anas Saleh Mohammad Alamoush. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Jordan. )

Assessing the effectiveness of state-owned shippers’ councils: the case of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority , Helena Claudia Amanfu. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Ghana. )

Dynamic interrelationships in returns and volatilities among shipping freight markets , Avinash Kumar. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, India. )

South African owned shipping and potential benefit for South Africa: A ship owners’ perspective , Tebogo Gift Mabiletsa. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, South Africa. )

The status quo of Vietnam’s logistics, the opportunities and challenges to become the regional transshipment hubs , Duong Anh Minh. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Vietnam. )

The impact of governance structure on the port performance: a case of Durban Port , Tshepiso Mokone. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, South Africa. )

The effects of the implementation of the Kenya National Electronic Single Window System on trade facilitation / , Mwanaulu Issa Mwajita. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Kenya. )

Port investment risk: Qualitative review of South African port investment valuation framework , Malibongwe Theophilus Ndlozi. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, South Africa. )

Potentiality of a shipbuilding industry in South Africa: Regulation or no regulation , Khethukuphila Sabelo Ngubane. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, South Africa. )

Compliant strategy for shipowners towards sustainable maritime transport: a decision framework for air emission reduction measures , Aditya Srivastava. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, India. )

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Strategies for improving the competitiveness of the Korean shipbuilding industry : Case study of Hyundai Heavy Industries , Lee Hyun. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, South Korea. )

Relationship between maritime logistics performance and international trade competitiveness : A case study of Nigeria in Central West African cluster of countries , Victor Isioma Onyemejor. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Nigeria. )

Managing optimum workload through terminal appointment system (TAS) : Case of Jakarta International Container Terminal , Usman Saroni. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Indonesia. )

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Unlocking the landlocked : appraising the economic viability of dry ports for Zimbabwe , Blessing Charuka. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Zimbabwe. )

The carriage of automobiles in containers : an alternative method to address the excess capacity in the liner trade , Antonio R. Dael. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Philippines. )

Towards efficient port pricing : a specific look into South African tariff methodology , Nokuzola Ethel Mchizwa. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, South Africa. )

Reverse logistics as value added service for Jamaica’s transhipment , Kahuina Hassan Miller. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, Jamaica. )

Hedging effectiveness of constant and time varying hedge ratio for maritime commodities , Satya Ranjan Sahoo. ( Shipping Management & Logistics, India. )

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Barge hits Texas bridge connecting Galveston and Pelican Island, causing partial collapse and oil spill

AUSTIN, Texas — A barge struck a bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, causing an oil spill into the surrounding waters and closing off road access to a small island located north of the city, officials said.

The bridge that links Pelican Island to Galveston was struck at around 10 a.m. local time after a barge broke free from a tugboat and crashed into the pilings of the bridge, Galveston County Emergency Management Director Judge Mark Henry told USA TODAY. Power was temporarily disrupted on the island but secondary power was restored as of 1 p.m. Wednesday.

No injuries were reported in the incident but Henry said two crew members were recovered after they went off the barge due to "the impact or they jumped for fear of being crushed by concrete." TV images and footage showed a section of a railway that runs along the bridge collapsing onto the barge.

Authorities later allowed traffic to exit the island but the bridge remained closed to all other vehicular traffic, Texas A&M University at Galveston confirmed in an afternoon update. Henry said authorities are unable to do a final bridge assessment until the leak is stopped and contained, and the barge is moved.

Galveston officials said emergency management officials from the city, Texas A&M University at Galveston, and the state were responding to the incident. Galveston fire and police departments, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Texas Department of Transportation were also responding.

Engineers from the Texas Department of Transportation went to inspect the roadway for damages and the "bridge will remain closed until it is deemed safe to use," the city said in a statement.

Pelican Island, about 52 miles southeast of Houston, is home to Texas A&M University of Galveston, a naval museum, and Seawolf Park — a former immigration station site that is now a popular fishing pier and attracts tourists to its decommissioned U.S. Navy vessels.

U.S. Coast Guard assessing oil spill

The collision caused an oil spill in the bay, according to city officials. Henry confirmed that vacuum gas oil, which is a combination of hydrocarbons and additives to various kinds of fuel, was leaked into the water.

The barge, which is owned by Martin Petroleum, has a 30,000-gallon capacity but it was not clear how much leaked into the surrounding waters, Galveston County said in a statement on Facebook. The incident led to the closure of about 6.5 miles of the Intracoastal Waterway, according to the county.

"The U.S. Coast Guard is responding and will determine the extent of the spill, as well as initiate the containment and cleanup processes," the city added.

Authorities allow Pelican Island residents to leave

The collision has "caused a bit of a problem" for residents on Pelican Island as the bridge is the only way to get on and off the island, Henry said. He estimated that there are about 200 residents at any given time on the island, with one of the larger residences being Texas A&M University at Galveston dorms.

"In the last couple of hours, the Coast Guard and Texas Department of Transportation have allowed residents to leave Pelican Island," Henry said. "No one is allowed to go back on Pelican Island."

Texas A&M University at Galveston campus closed until Thursday

University officials said Texas A&M University at Galveston will be closed for the remainder of Wednesday and Thursday. Non-essential employees were advised to leave the campus as soon as possible and other employees were told to prepare to work an alternate work location.

"Students and professional staff living on campus may choose to remain on campus or leave," the university said. "Those who reside on campus and leave should be prepared to remain off campus for an unknown period of time."

Latest incident involving U.S. bridges, highways

The Pelican Island Causeway Bridge opened in 1960 and was rated as "Poor," according to the Federal Highway Administration’s most recent data . The federal government classifies a bridge as "structurally deficient" if crucial components such as deck, superstructure, substructure, and culvert conditions are rated less than or equal to 4, according to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association.

The bridge's superstructure was rated at 4 or in "Poor Condition," according to the Federal Highway Administration. Other non-crucial components, including bridge railings, transitions, and guardrails, were rated at 0 and did not meet currently acceptable standards.

The Texas Department of Transportation's Houston District had proposed to replace the bridge with a fixed-span bridge in a new location in Galveston County. The agency planned to begin construction in the summer of 2025 and the replacement was estimated to cost $194 million.

The collision comes amid renewed concerns about aging infrastructure in the United States after a large cargo ship crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, collapsing the bridge and killing six people.

Earlier this month, Interstate 95 in Connecticut  was closed for several days after a gas tanker crashed and burst into flames, damaging an overpass and closing traffic on the busy highway.

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Specimen Collection for Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) Testing

• This varicella-zoster virus (VZV) laboratory information applies to testing and diagnosis of both primary VZV infection (varicella) and reactivation (herpes zoster).
• The preferred diagnosis method is detecting VZV DNA by PCR from scabs, vesicular fluid, or cells from the lesion's base.

Submitting specimens to CDC

Contact health department first ‎.

After contacting your health department, follow these guidelines when collecting and shipping specimens for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) testing:

• For all available tests: CDC Infectious Diseases Laboratories Test Directory
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The preferred method for a laboratory diagnosis of VZV infection is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Ideally, the presence of viral DNA should be demonstrated in vesicular fluid, maculopapular lesions, or scabs from lesions.

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Recommended methods, polyester swab.

This method is best suited for sampling vesicular lesions.

• Use a sterile needle to unroof the top of the vesicle.
• Important : Collect infected epithelial cells from the base of the lesion which usually contain virus.
• Swab type: CDC recommends swabs made with polyester tips and plastic stems. Do not use swabs with wooden stems.
• When multiple swabs from the same patient are collected place each swab in a separate tube to avoid cross-contamination. Label tubes individually and ensure they are resistant to breakage.
• Swabs can also be placed in 0.5−1.0 mL of viral transport media.

Glass slide

This method is critical for the collection of material from maculopapular lesions.

• Rake the edge of the slide over the selected lesion, abrading the lesion with sufficient vigor to ensure that skin cells are gathered onto the slide.
• Important: If more than one lesion is sampled, use a separate swab for each one.
• With young children: It may be less stressful for them if you ask them to help with this.
• Insert the swab into a tube and close it (many swabs are provided with a tube that includes a label for marking the specimen).
• Ship in a padded envelope. The swab for each sampled lesion must be placed in a separate swab tube, but multiple tubes can be shipped in the same envelope.

Collecting scabs

Scabs are excellent samples for PCR detection of VZV DNA. Whenever present, lift scabs off the skin (a glass slide can be used for this purpose). Then transfer directly into break-resistant, snap-cap or screw-top tubes.

Collecting other specimen types

For some disease presentations with a suspected VZV etiology (e.g., meningitis, multi-focal organ damage), samples of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF); blood; biopsy; or autopsy tissue may also be collected and shipped.

Shipping VZV PCR specimens

In rare cases involving severe complications or death, other specimens may be sent to the National VZV Laboratory for PCR testing. These can include biopsy or autopsy tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, and peripheral blood.

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Freezing vials: 2.0 mL polypropylene vials are available from a number of companies, including Nalgene Labware (#5000-0020); Wheaton Science Products (#985916); Corning (#430659, 431386); and Nunc (#347627).

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• Tubes: Cen-Med 10 mL sterile tubes with 3 mL VTM. Cat #: 21-520-184 (Fisher Scientific). Similar tubes with no VTM are also acceptable.
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Portal that connects NYC to Dublin shuts down to address 'inappropriate behavior'

FLATIRON, Manhattan (WABC) -- A new art installation in New York City that transports viewers more than 3,000 miles away to Dublin will temporarily shut down Tuesday to address some bad behavior.

The installation, called the Portal, features two identical sculptures with a visual live stream connecting the two cities. It was unveiled last Wednesday next to the famed Flatiron Building.

It allows visitors to watch and interact with each other and has already attracted tens of thousands of visitors.

Although it has been less than a week since its debut, organizers realized there is a problem amid reports of inappropriate behavior such as people flashing body parts or putting curse words on screen.

"The overwhelming majority of visitors have behaved appropriately and experienced the sense of joy and connectedness that this work of public art is intended to evoke," the Flatiron NoMad Partnership said in a statement. "Instances of inappropriate behavior have come from a very small minority of Portal visitors and have been amplified on social media."

Dublin's city council said in a statement it was looking for ways to come up with a solution to the bad behavior while keeping the portal open so the good intentions behind it can continue.

On the New York side, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership said there are a set of protocols in place since the launch, including 24/7 on-site security and barriers to prevent the public from stepping onto the Portal.

"The Portals team and our partners in Dublin are working on additional solutions including software updates to limit such behavior appearing on the livestream; additional on-site staffing; barriers to prevent people from stepping onto the Dublin Portal; and educational tools on how to best interact with the Portal on both sides," the statement went on to say.

In order to implement those solutions, the Portal will be turned off for a few days, starting at 5 p.m. New York City time on Tuesday, and will be back by the end of the week.

The portals were initially set to remain open 24/7 for the next six months through the fall.

ALSO READ | Rutgers doctoral student gives birth on same day she defends dissertation

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Actually useful AI —

Ai in gmail will sift through emails, provide search summaries, send emails, gmail will soon be able to summarize recent emails from a contact..

Ron Amadeo - Updated May 14, 2024 5:44 pm UTC

• AI in Gmail summarizes recent emails. Google
• The side panel will also show prompts for things it can do. Google
• The mobile version of "summarizing." Google
• A summary. Google

Google's Gemini AI often just feels like a chatbot built into a text-input field, but you can really start to do special things when you give it access to a ton of data. Gemini in Gmail will soon be able to search through your entire backlog of emails and show a summary in a sidebar.

That's simple to describe but solves a huge problem with email: even searching brings up a list of email subjects, and you have to click-through to each one just to read it. Having an AI sift through a bunch of emails and provide a summary sounds like a huge time saver and something you can't do with any other interface.

Google's one-minute demo of this feature showed a big blue Gemini button at the top right of the Gmail web app. Tapping it opens the normal chatbot sidebar you can type in. Asking for a summary of emails from a certain contact will get you a bullet-point list of what has been happening, with a list of "sources" at the bottom that will jump you right to a certain email. In the last second of the demo, the user types, "Reply saying I want to volunteer for the parent's group event," hits "enter," and then the chatbot instantly sends an email. We thought it was interesting that the demo never showed a confirmation step, but a Google rep contacted us later to say the production version would show you the message before sending it.

• Getting multiple bids for a project. Google
• You'll be able to ask Gmail for summaries from multiple contacts, too. Google
• The summary. Google

Another very interesting feature is the ability to summarize several emails around a certain topic. One example is "compare my roof repair bids by price and availability," which gathered up and summarized emails from multiple contacts, showing prices from each contractor.

Google is only calling this "Gemini Pro in Workspace Labs," and it will be out this month.

This was updated at 8:35pm after clarification from about the confirmation step

Listing image by Google

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Channel ars technica.

Pelican Island bridge reopens for evacuation-only after barge slams into span, causing oil spill

GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A barge hit the Pelican Island Causeway Wednesday morning, damaging a portion of the bridge and causing an oil spill in the bay, according to the Galveston County Sheriff's Office.

The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is shut down for approximately 6.5 miles between marker 350.5 to 357 as officials respond to this incident, County Judge Mark Henry said, adding that the oil spill is heading in that direction, so the U.S. Coast Guard decided to move forward with the closure.

The closure is a major setback for operations as significant maritime commercial traffic uses the waterway along the Texas coast.

It also has implications for those on Pelican Island. It's located north of Galveston, with that bridge as the only way on and off Pelican Island.

Galveston County emergency management canceled evacuations from Pelican Island at about 6 p.m. because the bridge was "unstable" and "handrails and concrete were seen shifting."

Before stopping evacuations, officials were allowing drivers to pass the bridge one by one, at about 20 feet apart.

At 8 p.m., the emergency management reopened the bridge only for people exiting Pelican Island, not allowing anyone to enter.

The traffic line to leave was still congested by 9 p.m., and there was no longer a hard stop for evacuations.

As everyone on Pelican Island is able to drive off and evacuate, residents like Andrea Dunlap, who has lived there for two years, are concerned about how soon they'll be let back in.

"I'm just hoping that if they do have to shut down the bridge, they're going to find another option to get us back and forth," she said.

Harborside Drive is open to east-west traffic. However, drivers will not be able to travel north toward Pelican Island from 51st and Harborside. Galveston police officers are detouring traffic in the area.

Henry said at about 10 a.m., the vessel under tow broke loose and slammed into the railroad side of the bridge. The rail portion is not in use.

Officials told ABC13 that two crew members on the ship were either thrown or jumped off, but they were rescued quickly. Emergency management leaders confirmed with ABC13 that there were less than 200 people on the island when the incident happened.

Vacuum gas oil is leaking from the barge, which has a capacity of 30,000 gallons and is operated by Martin Operating Partnership.

Eyewitness News reached out to the company but has yet to hear back.

Officials said the vessel is carrying a base petroleum product, and the Coast Guard is investigating reports of pollution.

A view from SkyEye showed about a 300-foot sheen on the water in the bay.

Officials said that crews are at the scene assessing the damage to the bridge, including four TxDOT inspectors.

Despite an initial outage, Henry said that the island has since switched over to a secondary power route.

Texas A &M University Galveston is on Pelican Island and shared an alert Wednesday about the bridge closure:

"Sea Aggie Alert: The Pelican Island Bridge is closed to all traffic at this time due to a barge strike. Electricity has been restored, and additional updates will be provided as the situation unfolds. The next scheduled update will be at 1200."

TAMU is one of the main buildings on the island. The university held commencement ceremonies last week.

Emergency management leaders told ABC13 that, as of 4 p.m., at least half of the students at the Texas A &M campus had been evacuated off the island.

Pelican Island is also home to a number of attractions, including Seawolf Park and the Galveston Naval Museum, as well as several port-related industries.

Of note, the Battleship Texas has been in dry dock on Pelican Island as it undergoes major renovations. It re-entered the water in March and is expected to reopen sometime in 2025 or 2026.

What to know about Pelican Island Causeway

The causeway itself is 3,239 feet long with a span of 164.1 feet.

A proposal was put forth to replace the bridge , with construction to start in summer 2025.

It would stretch from SH 275 to Seawolf Parkway.

The Seawolf Parkway bridge connects Pelican Island to Galveston Island within the city of Galveston.

An overview of the project read, "The deterioration of the Seawolf Parkway bridge has progressed to the extent that any additional deterioration could result in sudden bridge closure. Since this bridge provides sole access to Pelican Island, bridge closure would effectively cut off access for all users, including evacuation and emergency services."

The bridge was constructed in 1960 and is at the end of its functional life.

TxDOT plans to begin construction next summer, but it is unclear if the schedule has been affected by Wednesday's incident.

Authorities are concerned that the collision will render the bridge unusable. It is expected to remain closed until it is deemed safe to use.

What spilled into the bay?

Officials say the liquid is vacuum gas oil, a heavy oil byproduct of vacuum distillation of crude oil.

Honeywell, who was not involved in this incident, describes VGO as "a key feedstock for fluid catalytic crackers used to make transportation fuels and many other by-products."

The oil is flammable when heated to high temperatures. Because of its makeup and heavy odor, it shouldn't be released into ditches, sewers, or waterways.

Even small amounts can cause mild to severe pulmonary injury if breathed into the lungs. VGO may also irritate the eyes and skin.

Ingesting or inhaling heated vapors or mists could also cause headaches, sleepiness, dizziness, slurred speech, and blurred vision, and it may cause skin cancer.

"That's devastating. The fish, the birds, and everything, it's not going to be great," Dunlap said.

As officials work on clean-up plans both for the oil and broken pieces of the bridge, people like Dunlap are concerned about the long-term effects of this entire situation.

The U.S. Coast Guard said they're looking into why this happened in the first place and will determine the extent of the spill,

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