The Vulnerability and Resilience of the Global Container Shipping Industry

Intermodal shipping containers, standardized and capable of being carried on trucks, trains, barges, or ships, have transformed the global economy since they were introduced in 1959. By allowing previously separated segments of regional and global transport systems to interact, they have vastly expanded global trade and facilitated supply chains that stretch around the world. But vulnerabilities in the system became apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Problems at key bottlenecks in the system, compounded by an unexpected six-day shutdown of the vital Suez Canal, precipitated global disruptions leading to shortages of goods and soaring prices around the world. As the global shipping industry recovers, it will have an opportunity to transition toward a system that is more resilient.

DEPLOYMENT OF PROFESSIONAL VHF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS IN THE ARCTIC REGION

The importance of the Northern Sea Route as a global transport corridor, used for transportation of national and international cargo, will only increase because of the currently observed climatic changes. Currently, the only stable communication system there is satellite. The paper presents the results of software modeling of a technological radio communication line based on the VHF trunking network for sea vessels following a group along the Northern Sea Route.

Two-component convection flow driven by a heat-releasing concentration field

In this work we study the convection flow driven by a heat-releasing concentration field which itself is stably stratified. The heat-releasing rate is linearly proportional to concentration. Linear stability analysis is conducted to determine the critical heat-releasing rate for given fluid properties and concentration differences. The most unstable mode associated with the critical heat-releasing rate can be oscillatory for a large concentration Rayleigh number, i.e. the non-dimensionalized concentration difference and large Schmidt number, i.e. the ratio of viscosity to diffusivity of the concentration component. Fully developed flows are then investigated by direct numerical simulations. Flow structures near the bottom plate have larger horizontal scales than those near the top plate. The concentration in the bulk is almost constant and takes a similar value for all the explored parameters, which results in the convective flux increasing linearly with height. To explain the dependences of the global transport properties, we extend the unifying theory of the Rayleigh–Bénard convection to the current system and develop scaling laws for the global fluxes. The numerical results can be described accurately by the theoretical model.

Self-consistent global transport of metallic ions with WACCM-X

The NCAR Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with thermosphere and ionosphere eXtension (WACCM-X) v2.1 has been extended to include the neutral and ion–molecule chemistry and dynamics of three metals (Mg, Na, and Fe), which are injected into the upper mesosphere–lower thermosphere by meteoric ablation. Here we focus on the self-consistent electrodynamical transport of metallic ions in both the E and F regions. The model with full ion transport significantly improves the simulation of global distribution and seasonal variations of Mg+, although the peak density is slightly lower (about 35 % lower in peak density) compared with the SCIAMACHY measurements. Near the magnetic equator, the diurnal variation in upward and downward transport of Mg+ is generally consistent with the “ionosphere fountain effect”. The thermospheric distribution of Fe is shown to be closely coupled to the transport of Fe+. The effect of ion mass on ion transport is also examined: the lighter ions (Mg+ and Na+) are transported above 150 km more easily than the heavy Fe+. We also examine the impact of the transport of major molecular ions, NO+ and O2+, on the distribution of metallic ions.

Digital technologies in transport logistics

The problems and prospects of transport and logistics industry have been considered. The most common innovative technologies used by transport companies have been highlighted. The analysis of factors that hinder the digitalization of the transport and logistics industry, as well as factors that affect the development and implementation of innovative technologies has been carried out. The state policy in the field of development of digital technologies of transport logistics has been studied. The shape of the digital space of transport logistics in the near future has been determined. The influence of digital technologies, which are used in the global transport and logistics infrastructure on the activities of companies, has been considered. It has been concluded, that the use of innovative technologies by transport companies, which is currently dictated by the conditions of digitalization of the economy, directly affects its competitive advantages in the industry.

The multi-dimensional nature of Tatarstan’s entry into the trans-continental transport corridor

The aim of the article is to reveal the problems of the Republic of Tatarstan’s entry into the transcontinental transport corridor, taking into account the infrastructural potential of the republic. The following factors provide opportunities for integrating Tatarstan into the global transport network: positioning the republic as a globally competitive and sustainable region with a favourable investment climate, a national tourist rating, a favourable physical, economic and geographical location, a significant share of transport services in the gross domestic product, and the availability of logistics centres and terminal and warehouse complexes. The construction of the transport corridor Europe – Western China – part of Russia – Kazakhstan – China section will allow Tatarstan to be included in transcontinental transportation. The article also touches on environmental issues, recognising the importance of people living in harmony with nature. There are about 30 settlements in the route’s area, some of them will be divided, it is necessary to consider nature conservation areas: rivers, woodlands, natural zoological (hunting) reserves and natural monuments of regional importance, emission load factor of chemical carcinogens in atmosphere and level of traffic load.

THE FORMATION OF DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM CONCEPT OF MARITIME TRANSPORT HUBS IN RUSSIA IN THE XXI CENTURY

Статья посвящена одному из ключевых аспектов развития морских транспортных узлов на фоне цифровой трансформации экономики. Целью исследования является определение сути цифровой экосистемы мультимодальных морских транспортных узлов на основе выделения предпосылок ее формирования. Автором выделены проблемные вопросы, которые необходимо учитывать при разработке инновационных механизмов организации управления обозначенными сложными системами. Научная новизна полученных результатов: на основе комплексного и процессного подходов выявлены ключевые составляющие цифровой экосистемы мультимодального морского транспортного узла, предложена концепция ее формирования. По мнению автора, реализация последней будет способствовать созданию на основе информационных и интеллектуальных технологий эффективной инновационной системы комплексного стратегического и оперативного управления, переходу на новый качественный уровень оказания транспортных сопутствующих услуг и повышению конкурентоспособности страны. The relevance of the research topic is due to the processes of the formation of a new global transport infrastructure in the context of the digitalization of public relations and the formation of a new management paradigm. To ensure the competitiveness and breakthrough development of domestic seaports, organizational and technical and technological breakthrough innovations are required. Traditional approaches to organizing interaction in the space of sea transport hubs have exhausted themselves. Based on the methods of system analysis, the vector of development of seaports in the XXI century is indicated; the main aspects that must be taken into account in the formation of innovative mechanisms for organizing the management of complex organizational and technical processes and systems (multimodal sea transport hubs) for the purpose of ensuring economic security and sustainable development of the Russian economy, in general, and transport, in particular. The concept of a digital ecosystem has been investigated, the essence of the category «smooth seamless transport service» regarding the transportation of goods has been concretized, the category «digital ecosystem of a multimodal sea transport hub» has been disclosed. On the basis of an integrated and process approach, the key components of the digital ecosystem of a multimodal maritime transport hub are determined and a concept for the formation of such an ecosystem is proposed.