Newsletters
OPTIMUM - Success Story
In today’s factories, machines such as cranes are typically operated
manually using heterogeneous hardware. These are usually not
interoperable and diverse control environments are used; static machine
configurations also make evolution hard to achieve. In a global market
with strong competition, Industry 4.0 concepts like greater software
modularity, interoperable frameworks and Industrial Internet of Things
(IIoT) must be embraced to enable truly smart factories.
Cyber Security and Aspects Affecting the Maritime Industry - Lecture Poster
This lecture explores the evolving landscape of cyber risks in the maritime industry, from operational
technology (OT) vulnerabilities to the increasing wave of cyber-attacks targeting shipping companies and
port facilities. It includes in-depth analysis of high-profile case studies, such as the Maersk ransomware
attack, while examining key cyber threats like malware, GPS jamming, and insider threats. The session will
highlight the latest IMO regulations, the role of IoT in smart ports, and the growing importance of crew cyber
awareness training. Attendees will gain valuable insights into best practices for risk management, incident
response, and explore emerging trends in maritime cybersecurity, such as the integration of AI and blockchain
for enhancing security across global supply chains.
DESSEV Project Poster
DESSEV Erasmus+ project brought together seven organisations from six European countries to design and develop the decision support system for maritime decision makers in order to give
some indications in the case of epidemic outbreak.
PROMETHEAS Project Poster
There are a number of key aspects that affect seafarers when out at sea. These aspects that affect seafarers include; productivity levels, physical endurance and cognitive ability. There are a number of factors that influence the above, an example of these are; changes in the environment, the specific nature of one’s occupation, the desire for ones level of productivity, increased levels of fatigue from long voyages, etc. C4FF previously worked on another study, which was titled “Project Horizon - Stress at Sea”.
Air Quality Conference Poster
The title of the conference is ‘The Air That We Breathe In‐ How It Affects Us’ with the aim of bringing together all the key stakeholders in the region and from wider afield to discuss how to manage the impact of poor air quality on the local population. The target audience for the Conference are the local resident associations, local universities, local councils, local MPs/MEPs, national and Government representatives, local environmental groups, representatives from professional bodies and air quality specialists.
Mentor Flyer
The project, in the context of introducing innovation on the continuous professional development of WBL mentors, aims at building a specific procedure for incompany mentors, participating in Work-Based Learning (WBL). The development of the relevant competences -basic, transversal, soft, digital- leading to the training, assessment and certification for the work-based learning mentors constitutes project’s main objective. This element is vital for their consequent ability to offer quality work-based learning in apprentices and trainees.
ACTS Plus Project Newsletter: June 2017 - Issue 1
In a series of studies undertaken by MariFuture (Ziarati et al, 2010, 2011, 2015) it has been shown that many seafarers disregard or misapply the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGs) at sea. The European Maritime Safety Agencies 2014 Maritime Accident Review found that between 2011-2013 in the category: 'accidents with a ship' Collisions were the second leading cause of accidents resulting in serious injuries (20% of accidents) and 15% of accidents deemed a 'serious occurrence' were caused by collisions.
Marifuture Newsletter: March 2016
The SeaTALK project (www.seatalk.pro) final report was submitted to the European Commission and the partners are awaiting to hear the outcome of the evaluation. SeaTALK project was an important undertaking as it gathered all the accessible learning and teaching materials for Maritime English of relevance to various ranks and types of seafarer, as well as developing new content in line with the IMO’s new Model Course whilst ensuring compliance with the CEFR.
Marifuture Newsletter: February 2016
This is the MariFuture year of Maritime English. Communication and linguistic mistakes have been reported to count for some 33% of all reported accidents hence the importance of promoting ‘Maritime English’ as the language of the sea and ensuring all seafarers are given the opportunity to gain effective competence in this important language hence the reason for giving this subject a priority in the New Year.
ACTS Project Newsletter: November 2015 - Issue 4
This issue provides overview on our progress since the last newsletter, Final Piloting, ACTs Course online by December 2015! and ACTS at the IAMU 2015 General Assembly and Further Dissemination.
Marifuture Newsletter: November 2015
The final meeting of the ACTs project took place 8-10 October 2015 in Croatia. The project has been extended and will now be concluded at the end of December 2015. As a result of the meeting the areas for final improvements, identified as a result of the external group evaluations, have been identified. These improvements have been transformed into specific tasks and will be implemented in the remaining months of the project.
Marifuture Newsletter: October 2015
The MariLANG proposal has been approved and will be funded through the German National Agency. The project intends to develop a Maritime English training programme based on the EU funded SeaTALK learning materials and the EU funded MarTEL assessment system, both of which are compliant with the IMO Maritime English Model (3.17). It is worth mentioning that the partners of SeaTALK and MarTEL were involved in the revision of the IMO Maritime English Model Course through the International Maritime Lecturers Association (IMLA). The approval of MariLANG is very good news as it will complete the process started with MarTEL setting the assessment system for Maritime English and continued in SeaTALK with setting up learning frameworks and seeking learning materials from the Maritime English teaching community. MariLANG will now develop the final piece of the puzzle - the actual training programme for Maritime English. The MariLANG project is expected to start in November 2015 with the funding period concluding in October 2017.
Marifuture Newsletter: September 2015
It is the MariFuture’s year of marine energy efficiency and pollution reduction. To this end, MariFuture is particularly delighted to learn that its MarieEMS proposal has been approved by the EU’s Erasmus + and will be funded through the UK National Agency.
ACTS Project Newsletter: June 2015
This issue provides overview on the COLREGs Training Course.
ACTS Project Newsletter: May 2015 - Issue 3
This issue provides overview on our progress since the last newsletter; The ACTs Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy; the importance of the ACTs Project; and ACTs Training Approaches.
ACTS Project Newsletter: Nov. 2014 - Issue 2
This issue provides overview on progress since our last newsletter, IMLA's view on a proposed COLREGs Model Course and the ACTS training approaches have been finalised.
ACTS Project Newsletter: Oct. 2014 - Issue 1
This issue provides an introduction to the ACTS project, Updates on the project questionnaires and workshops and an update on our review of collision and near-miss reports.
S.O.S. Newsletter: March 2014
This issue provides introduction to new EU funded project called Stress On Ship (S.O.S).
METPROM Newsletter: July 2013
This issue reports the progress on project which includes official launch of the project website, first partner and steering committee meeting, development of MARPLAT platform etc.
Maritime Training Newsletter: June 2013
The MaritimeTraining Platform promotes and provides access to a number of innovative ICT-based maritime education and training (MET) products.
SeaTALK Newsletter: June 2013
Shipping is a major industry; in fact it is believed that as much as 90% of world trade is carried out by the sea. The recognised language of the sea is Maritime English, yet a review of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) requirements shows that there is no requirement for seafarers to have a qualification in Maritime English.
METPROM Newsletter: February 2013 – Issue 1
METPROM is the EU funded Leonardo Da Vinci Project under EU Lifelong Learning Programme to enhance Vocational Education and Training in Port Security.
UniMET Newsletter: February 2013
This newsletter reports the progress made from June 2012 to February 2013 in UniMET (Unification of Maritime Education and Training) project. UniMET project with its partnerships has been involved in unifying the core of Maritime Education and Training, first across Europe and at latter stage worldwide.
TRECVET Newsletter: September 2012 – Issue 2
The TRECVET Project team is very pleased to announce that its software tool has stood up to all recent testing and that means there will be an objective way to make qualifications more comparable.
TRECVET Newsletter: September 2012 – Issue 1
TRECVET stands for Transnational Recognition of European Certification in Vocational Education and Training and is a European Funded – Development of Innovation - Project that aims to create a tool to break down qualifications into their smallest parts and make them comparable in an objective way.
SURPASS Project Progress Report - September 2012 and Further Developments and Valorisation, 2012 Issue 5
This newsletter reports on the progress been made of SURPASS Course from July to September 2012.
SURPASS Project Progress Report - July 2012 and Course Development and Valorisation, 2012 Issue 4
This newsletter reports on the progress been made of SURPASS Course from June to July 2012.
UniMET Newsletter: December 2011 to June 2012
This newsletter reports the progress made from December 2011 to June 2012 in UniMET (Unification of Maritime Education and Training) project.
Getafix Newsletter: April 2012
This newsletter reports the findings of GETFAIX project “Gaining Educational Training Analysis For Identifying Cross Border Systems'.
SURPASS Project Progress Report 2012 and Course Development and Accreditation, 2012 Issue 3
This newsletter reports on the progress have been made of SURPASS project after February 2012. The SURPASS project started in November
2009 and ended successfully in December 2011. A recent article has been published about SURPASS in Nautilus magazine in February, 2012.
Unification of Marine Education and Training, Dec 2011 Issue 2
UniMET intends to unify the core of Maritime Education and Training (MET) of seafarers based on the STCW and incorporate the good practices
in the partner institutions with an aim to disseminate and exploit these programmes across Europe and Worldwide. The UniMET programmes are
being cross- referenced with the existing IMO Model courses to ensure the UniMET programmes comply with IMO standards.
Unification of Marine Education and Training, June 2011 Issue 1
UniMET intends to unify the core of Maritime Education and Training (MET) of seafarers based on the STCW and incorporate the good practices
in the partner institutions with an aim to disseminate and exploit these programmes across Europe and Worldwide. The UniMET programmes are
being cross-referenced with the existing IMO Model courses to ensure the UniMET programmes comply with IMO standards. Any new relevant local,
national, European and international updates will be incorporated into UniMET Programmes.
SURPASS automation course and Training needs, 2011 Issue 2
The SURPASS project started in November 2009 and concluded successfully in December 2011. This newsletter reports on the progress
made after the first newsletter which was published in March 2010. The was published in March 2010. The project was a very demanding
programme of work and the partners worked hard to ensure that its main aims are fully achieved. The project
addressed aspects of human error related to automation failures at sea by preparing a course responding to inadequacies of seafarers’ dealing
with automation systems. The course covers both Navigation and the Engine failure.
Maritime Aids’ Development for Emergency Responses, December 2011 Issue 2
The M’AIDER project has successfully ended. This newsletter reports the progress made after the first
newsletter published in March 2010. The project partners worked hard after the kick off meeting and completed
all their tasks successfully. The project addressed the aspects of human error related to emergency situations
by preparing 10 scenarios for the full mission simulator and 9 scenarios chosen were developed for training purposes
in the e-learning platform. The scenarios included collisions, near-misses and groundings. The M’AIDER project is
considered systematic and novel for the training of young cadets and seafarers.
Maritime Aids’ Development for Emergency Responses, March 2010 Issue 1
M’AIDER mainly concerns those aspects of human error related to emergency situations which can be corrected by preparing a whole range of scenarios, simulating actual
accidents, incidents and near-misses. It is the systematic attempt to develop accident or incident scenarios for the training of young cadets
and seafarers working at sea and in ports in emergency situations. The programme proposed is considered to be novel and has not been done before.
SURPASS: Introduction, 2010 Issue 1
A paper (Ziarati, 2006) and report to IMO (MCA, 2006) clearly identify a major source of accidents particularly in the future to be the problems with application of automated systems and failures in any aspect of automation.
STCW training standards for Engineers have not been updated to account for working with such new engines. Instrumentation and control systems including hydraulics and pneumatics need to be included in the syllabuses of the programmes for the Engineer and Deck officers.
Under STCW there is no specific training requirement for electrical engineering officers on board vessels, and therefore no internationally or European agreed standard by which shipping companies can effectively assess their knowledge.
The SURPASS project’s main aim is to fill this gap created as the result of emergence and application of the automated systems in the education and training of seafarers by provision of a training course enabling them to have a full understanding of automated systems, and these systems’ weaknesses and limitations.