Master Thesis at SSPA

We are looking for two students (one thesis) in the area of Maritime Management (or other relevant programmes) to take part in tasks related to ongoing research. The purpose of the master thesis is to explore the crew’s perspective on wind powered cargo vessels and the sailing operations. Interesting questions to raise are: What are operational effects from applying different wind powered technologies? What expectations and requirements have the crew on the operations? What operational performance is expected? How could the operational performance be measured?

If you are enrolled at a Swedish technical university and would like to carry out your Master Thesis project at SSPA, please send us an application before 15 December, using the provided form. 

The crew’s perspectives on wind powered cargo vessels’ operations

The shipping industry is now under a strong pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions towards long term sustainability goals. For example, the IMO agreement of reducing CO2 emissions with 50% until 2050 have shown efficient to raise climate change issues on shipping companies’ agendas. To reach such targets, new technology needs to be developed and implemented. One upraising technology area, which has received great attention recently, is the new generation of wind power technology on cargo vessels. Examples exists of wind power assistance by using flettner rotors or suction wings, or fully wind driven vessels by using dyna rigs or wing sails. The use of wind power has a great potential of reducing the CO2 emission to a large extent. 

Taking a crew perspective however, using wind power technology on cargo vessels will create other operational conditions compared to conventional shipping operations. When developing, and designing, new wind powered cargo vessel it is therefore of crucial importance to take into account the effects on the operations and how the crew on board will be able to operate the vessel. 

Purpose

The purpose of the master thesis is to explore the crew’s perspective on wind powered cargo vessels and the sailing operations. Interesting questions to raise are: What are operational effects from applying different wind powered technologies? What expectations and requirements have the crew on the operations? What operational performance is expected? How could the operational performance be measured?

Approach

A qualitative approach is required for the task. Primary data collection is to interview operational staff on shipping companies. It is of interest to both include shipping companies that have recently implemented wind power technology on cargo vessels, as well as those companies that have not yet, but have plans to do so soon. The master thesis will be part of a newly started Interreg North Sea project, WASP-Wind Assisted Sailing Propulsion, with partners in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and UK.  

For more information or for submitting your application please email Vendela Santén.

Note that you will not be an employee during the thesis work. 

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thesis_work_application.docx