Automatic Identification System (AIS) is used for security of ships and ports, their identification and protection of marine environment. Correct installation of AIS device and integration with navigation equipment is of great importance for the correct functioning of the system. To increase system accuracy correct input of data to the system is significant. Correct data interpretation depends on seafarer’s ability to recognize errors. In order for the seafarer to get acquainted with the system as well as its advantages and disadvantages high-quality seafarer’s training in the use of AIS is of utmost importance. AIS is not a navigation aid, nevertheless it can be used as a device to facilitate navigation. In this paper the authors are analysing AIS errors and proposing measures for improvement of its functioning.

Statistical data, analyses and assessment of maritimepassenger traffic in sea ports in the Republic of Croatia pertaining to the traffic in the Port of Šibenik indicate that, following the expansion and reconstruction of berths for large ships in 2014, marine traffic in the waters of the Port of Šibenik and the Channel of St. Ante has been on the rise. There is therefore a need for pollution risk analysis for the Port of Šibenik. Risk assessment was made using the qualitative method of “Risk assessment-based threat ranking”, following which a scenario involving discharge of harmful substances (oil spill) and possible pollution of the Port of Šibenik and the Channel of St. Ante in difficult navigating conditions in restricted waterways and bad weather was simulated. Marine pollution itself has no direct impact on human life. There are usually no human casualties, although major disasters can affect human health. There can therefore be dire indirect consequences, with negative impact on the eco-system, and consequently on some of the most important branches of industry like tourism, sports, fishing, etc. The prevalent northerly and southerly winds have a particularly high influence on the spreading of oil spills in closedoff waters like those of the Port of Šibenik. The influence of sea currents in the Krka river basin and the Channel of St. Ante is exceptionally strong, especially during heavy rains accompanied by increased water flow. Oil spill simulation is therefore an important tool for planning preventive action and response operations in case of oil spill from ships.

From a scientific viewpoint, as well as from the perspective of navigation practice, it is clear that the Adriatic Sea feeder service is relatively underdeveloped. Hence, the objective of this study is to suggest a model for selecting the hub port and to optimize the network of seaports engaged in the feeder service. Accordingly, an appropriate hub port has been identified through the methods of multi-criteria decision making and expert assessment, and the optimum shipping route has been calculated by applying the travelling salesman algorithm (TSA). In order to analyze whether there is a possibility of obtaining better optimization results, an integration of a sub-hub port system is suggested. Optimization has been achieved by applying a minimum spanning tree algorithm (MST) and a combination of these algorithms. The proposed methodology for selecting the hub port, sub-hub port and optimizing the feeder network can be implemented globally. The practical application of the achieved model would result in cost minimization, owing to shorter shipping routes or a combination of different transportation means (feeders).

The global increase in shipping activity has contributed to the degradation of air quality, which particularly affects traffic-dense port areas. Due to the environmental and public health impacts of air quality in port cities, a number of inventories using varying methodologies have been conducted over the past two decades to manage gas emissions in specific areas. The objective of this work is to determine one relevant methodology for estimating ship emissions in ports through a systematic review of the relevant literature. In this research, PRISMA guidelines were followed through a multi-layer bottom-up analysis approach to ensure the validity of the proposed methodology. The aforementioned methodology, as the end result of this research, is intended to provide an empirically structured basis for further development of a novel indexing model of ship gas emissions in port areas.