Learning & Capacity Build-Up

This lecture by Capt. Yevgeniy Kalinichenko, PhD and Anastasiia Zaiets, PhD (Odessa National Maritime University) examines underwater navigation systems and control architectures for autonomous cargo submersibles. It addresses how maritime transport faces transformation due to climate change, trade growth, and energy efficiency demands, and how underwater cargo vessels can reduce congestion, enhance safety, and offer energy-efficient logistics. The lecture covers acoustic positioning systems (LBL, SBL, USBL), integrated navigation algorithms using INS, DVL, and Kalman-based systems, and hybrid three-level control architecture for adaptable autonomous mission control.

This lecture by Natalia A. Remzina, PhD (Odessa National Maritime University) explores the cruise industry's role in the Black Sea blue economy. It reviews global innovations from leading cruise lines — Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, and MSC Cruises — in sustainability, zero-emission technology, circular economy practices, and green energy. The lecture examines the Black Sea cruise market's golden period (2012: 28 companies, 38 ships) with Odessa and Yalta as top ports, the impact of the pandemic and war on planned operations, and highlights Galataport Istanbul as a flagship blue economy project with its $1.7B investment and underground cruise terminal.

This lecture by Andrii Holovan, DSc. (Odessa National Maritime University) presents the concept and methodology of prescriptive intelligence for smart ship maintenance in the context of the blue economy. It traces the evolution from reactive to prescriptive maintenance, demonstrates the digital system CPMS integrating ACMS and ShipDiMRO, and validates real applications toward low-carbon operations. Aligned with UN SDGs 7, 9, 13, and 14, the lecture outlines a roadmap for future smart ship operations through 2035, emphasizing how digitalization enables sustainable growth and green shipping supports the blue economy.

This lecture by Artur Lupashko (PhD Student at ONMU, Founder & CEO of Ribas Hotels Group) presents Ukraine's post-war port reconstruction as a strategic opportunity to implement cutting-edge digital solutions. It highlights that Ukraine's 14 ports previously handled 130M tons annually with 45M tons of agricultural exports, and that USD 850 million in port infrastructure damage creates a 'clean slate' opportunity. The lecture examines the global smart port revolution — AI & machine learning, blockchain, IoT & 5G, digital twins — and European leaders like Rotterdam, Constanta, Varna, Antwerp, and Hamburg setting the standard for smart digital ports of the future.

This lecture by Viktor Yarovyi examines how smart technologies and blockchain are transforming Black Sea ports. It presents cargo throughput dynamics of major Black Sea ports (Constanta, Odesa, Varna, Batumi, Novorossiysk) from 2018 to 2025 with forecasts to 2030, showing regional resilience and diversification of trade routes after 2022. The lecture analyzes digitalization levels in port operations — AI & predictive maintenance, IoT infrastructure, blockchain document flow, energy efficiency & smart grids, and digital twin systems — and their role in making ports faster, greener, and smarter.

This lecture by Nikiforov Vyacheslav and Khoteyeva Natalia (Department of Economics and Finance, Odessa National Maritime University) analyzes the transformation of Ukraine's port sector through the lens of the blue economy and energy transition. It traces the shift from traditional profit-focused port economics toward sustainable growth models, examines renewable energy shares across Black Sea countries, and presents the blue economy approach for Ukrainian ports — combining economic performance with environmental protection. The lecture advocates for building efficient, low-carbon, eco-friendly 'Blue Ports' to reduce air and water pollution, waste discharge, and habitat destruction.

This lecture by Anatoliy Labin (CEO, Portus Libera Group) provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing Ukraine's blue economy development. It addresses war-induced impacts including port closures and blockades, maritime security risks from sea mines, export disruptions, and environmental damage from the conflict. The lecture also examines long-term structural challenges such as policy gaps, underinvestment in infrastructure, environmental degradation, and institutional coordination issues, as well as sector-specific challenges in maritime transport, fisheries, port modernization, pollution control, marine spatial planning, and blue innovation.

This lecture by Leonid Oberto Santana (Odessa National Maritime University) addresses global maritime emissions challenges and presents AI-based solutions for smart ship routing in the Black Sea. It covers neural network models for predicting fuel consumption, deep-learning algorithms with reinforcement learning for adaptive route optimization, and efficient navigation strategies tailored to the Black Sea's variable atmospheric and hydrological conditions. The comprehensive approach includes alternative fuels (LNG, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen), improved ship power plants, renewable energy on board, and AI-based intelligent navigation systems.

This lecture by Capt. Oleksandr Sagaydak (Odessa National Maritime University) examines the current state and future of blue careers in Ukraine's maritime sector. It presents key figures on Ukraine's maritime workforce — approximately 100,000-120,000 seafarers with 65,000 working abroad — and highlights the growing global demand for maritime officers projected to reach 80,000 vacancies by 2030. The lecture discusses career pathways from bachelor's to master's degrees, including roles such as superintendent, port captain, port engineer, and general manager, emphasizing the importance of higher education in the maritime industry.

This lecture by Veronika Zlatova (Odessa National Maritime University) examines the green port concept and its role in advancing the blue economy. It outlines five key components: renewable energy and efficiency, sustainable transport systems, waste management, air and water quality protection, and smart port digitalisation. The presentation features case studies including the Port of Seattle’s clean energy strategy and Dar es Salaam’s port-city partnerships, demonstrating how ports can serve as clean energy hubs while promoting environmental sustainability and economic growth.

This lecture by Ihor Boryslavskyi (Odessa National Maritime University) explores the role of the blue economy in Ukraine's Black Sea coastal regions. It examines key resort areas — Koblevo, Serhiivka, Karolino-Buhaz, Rybakivka, Kinburn Spit, and Kuyalnik — analyzing how various forms of tourism (beach, cottage, health, eco, water, event, fishing, sports, and gastronomic) impact marine and estuarine ecosystems. The lecture aligns these challenges with UN Sustainable Development Goals 6, 13, and 14, and proposes actionable strategies including regional blue economy plans, modern water treatment infrastructure, environmental monitoring systems, coastal development regulation, post-war rehabilitation, and public-private partnerships for sustainable recovery.