Impacts of climate change on maritime transport

Project description

The project analyses the climate change impacts on maritime transport. The results are compiled into an interaction model based on systems analysis. The interaction model describes the system as a whole and the factors that influence the process, either positively, neutrally or negatively.

The interaction model helps to understand the system in a more structured way and to identify the interactions, interdependencies and synergies of the factors involved. The model will serve as a tool for shipowners’ and ports’ contingency planning, preparedness and risk management with the involvement of stakeholders in its development.

The model will be created for general use but will be piloted regionally with parameters for the ports, the waterways and the vessels operating in Kymenlaakso area, such as the likely water level variations in relation to vessel draught data.

The results of the project address the finding of the Climate Resilient Kymenlaakso Adaptation Plan that little research has been conducted on the vulnerability of Finnish shipping to extreme weather events and the impacts of climate change. The compilation of information and the resulting interaction model will thus be beneficial not only for regional risk management, but also at national level.

The project aims to ensure an open exchange of information between research organisations and the target group through communication and workshops. The results will also be disseminated through articles and an international conference, and later extended through an international development project.