The Application of Information Systems in the Prevention of Pollution in the Maritime Industry(a Case Study of Rivers Port)
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
The objective of this study is to assess the application of information systems in the prevention of pollution in the maritime industry.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter gives an insight into various studies conducted by outstanding researchers, as well as explained terminologies with regards to the application of information systems in the prevention of pollution in the maritime industry. The chapter also gives a resume of the history and present status of the problem delineated by a concise review of previous studies into closely related problems.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The regulatory regime for international shipping covering a wide range of topics is comprehensive. International shipping, if not over-regulated, is sufficiently regulated. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted more than 25 major Conventions on maritime safety, pollution prevention and liability and compensation and a large number of free-standing mandatory and non-mandatory codes. These instruments have been successful in drastically reducing vessel-sourced pollution and illustrate the commitment of the Organization and the shipping industry towards protecting the environment (see Annex 2 of this paper). EU regional measures complement or enhance the international regulatory regime. In addition, industry has developed its own processes of self-regulation in order to make shipping safe and efficient. The International Safe Management (ISM) Code originates from industry standards and is mandatory across all ships, with obvious beneficial effects. Other examples are the Ship to Ship Transfer Guides, the International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals, the Safety Guides for tankers and the Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE) and the various Classification Societies rules and detailed requirements. However, safety and pollution prevention depends on a chain of collective responsibility, namely flag states, port states, shipowners, ship operators, seafarers, classification societies, insurers and charterers.
THE MARITIME INDUSTRY
In the maritime industry a number of administrational management systems are used to provide information and to support decision making both onboard the vessels and ashore in the shipping companies´ offices. Examples of the systems’ functionality are financial-, chartering and operations-, personnel-, safety-, quality, document-, procurement-, and maintenance management. In addition there are a number of technical management systems supporting various functions onboard such as navigation-, propulsion & manoeuvring-, machinery monitoring & control-, cargo handling-, and trim & stability systems. The various administrational systems are often utilising distributed databases with a ship specific database onboard and a common database in the office, either system by system, or with integrated functionality of multiple systems with a common user interface. The information is replicated both ways ship/shore and the communication is often performed via satellite lines. Despite that there has been some market consolidation amongst suppliers, the flora of systems and suppliers are ever increasing as well as the systems’ functionality of supported processes. I have been working for many years in executive positions in a global market leading organisation delivering management and communication systems to the maritime and other industries, and I am the vice chairman in a branch organisation for maintenance management companies.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter describes the research design, the target population and random sampling procedure, the instrument used, method of data collection and method of data analysis.
Research Design
The research design used for this study was the descriptive research design. Since data characteristics were described using frequencies and percentages, and no manipulations of data or variables were necessary, the researcher chose this research design. The researcher discarded other alternatives such as the causal and explanatory research designs, because accurate findings and data analysis may not be achieved.
Population of the study
The population for this study are employees of Rivers port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The population figure for the study was 150 respondents.
Sample Size and Sampling Technique
Random sampling technique was used in this study. The sample size determined for this study was one hundred (100) employees of Rivers port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
INTRODUCTION
This chapter deals with the presentation and analysis of the result obtained from questionnaires. The data gathered were presented according to the order in which they were arranged in the research questions, sample percentage and pie charts were used to analyze the demographic information of the respondents while the chi square test was adopted to test the research hypothesis.
Testing Hypothesis
Ho: Information systems cannot be used to prevent pollution in the maritime industry.
Hi: Information systems can be used to prevent pollution in the maritime industry.
Level of significance: 0.05
Decision rule: reject the null hypothesis H0 if the p value is less than the level of significance. Accept the null hypothesis if otherwise.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary
This study was undertaken to examine the Application of Information systems in the Prevention of Pollution in maritime Industry. The study opened with chapter one where the statement of the problem was clearly defined. The study objectives and research hypotheses were defined and formulated respectively. The study reviewed related and relevant literatures. The chapter two gave the conceptual and other related views concerning the research problem. The third chapter described the methodology employed by the researcher in collecting both the primary and the secondary data. The research method employed here is the descriptive survey method. The study analyzed and presented the data collected in tables and hypotheses were tested. While the fifth chapter gives the study summary and conclusion.
Conclusion
In recent years, human performance prediction has become a focal issue of maritime organizations since the ship accident statistics have still been addressing the crew errors as main contributing factor. In fact, key maritime stakeholders such as International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization, and Ship Classification Societies have closely monitored the mentioned problem by professionals who are trying to find and adopt an effective solution through ship operational level. This paper outlined how to design and implement an on-site operational analysis using information systems in preventing pollution. Besides conceptual framework, the test and verification issues of product (i.e. crew reliability monitoring software) are extensively elaborated. Furthermore, the adaptation of the system into shipboard platform in terms of achieving end-user (ship crew) requirements via improving database mechanism and procedural integration, etc, were discussed. Consequently, the study clarifies the potential of the maritime project to derive a global feasible solution along with reducing the pollution rates in ship operations and management in international level.
Recommendation
The safety of the navigation and response to the maritime pollution are the priority for Rivers port region because of the specific conditions of the Rivers port and heavy traffic. Such large disasters like oil spill occur relatively rarely, but when it comes to a major spill, negative effects could be observed for years. In such event like an oil spill response action using information systems should be used to prevent pollution. Such action should proceed smoothly and its duration should be as short as possible. Response actions involve the dispatching of cleanup information systems equipment.
REFERENCES
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