IS&L News - the Newsletter of the Centre for International Shipping & Logistics.
University of Plymouth Business School

Volume Number 9, Issue Number 2, Winter 2010

Editorial January 2010

Professor David Wheeler took up his post as Dean of Plymouth Business School on January 1st, 2010, after relinquishing his post as Dean of Management in Dalhousie, Canada. Following reorganisation the International Shipping and Logistics Group is located in the School of Management which is led by Professor Phil Megicks. The School Executive Team comprises Mike Leat, Associate Head (Teaching and Learning); Jonathan Lean, Associate Head (External Affairs); Lynne Butel, Associate Head (Planning and Resources); Kerry Howell, Director of Research and Andy Phippen, Director of Responsible Enterprise and Communications. Members of the IS&L Group look forward to working with them in the future and wish them all success in a very challenging and dynamic business environment.

Professor David Wheeler Dean Plymouth Business School

Within the ISL group, we are delighted to welcome Vasco Sanchez-Rodrigues, as a new lecturer in International Logistics. Vasco‟s interest in green logistics and sustainability issues is at the heart of the university‟s sustainability agenda and we wish him well in his work with us at Plymouth. Our team of external examiners now comprises at postgraduate level of Professor. Mike Bell, from Imperial College London, and Dr Mervyn Rawlinson who joins us as the industrial external examiner.

In October, we welcomed the first recruits onto a new BSc International Supply Chain and Shipping Management “top up” award. The students recruited at Plymouth will study the same course as their counterparts recruited at the prestigious Hong Kong SPACE University. The difference is that instead of studying full time in Plymouth, the Hong Kong SPACE students will study part time through intensive weekend deliveries in Hong Kong. Two-thirds of the teaching will be by specialist local staff in Hong Kong, with the rest being delivered in Hong Kong by Plymouth staff over a “long weekend”. To date, Dr Dongping Song and Dr Shunmugham Pandian have lectured in Hong Kong, and in the spring Dr Jingjing Xu and Dr Syamantak Bhattacharya are due to visit. We look forward in due course to congratulating the first graduates from these programmes. Even if the world outside is feeling the chill of recession, things have never been more dynamic within the ISL group.

Dr Vasco Sanchez-Rodriguez Lecturer International Logistics

Now it's time for the serious business of dressing up...
hard hats, safety boots, reflective jackets (sorry Irma, we couldn‟t find a match for the rest of your outfit), goggles (Jingjing was mortified because she missed out due to teaching commitments…). Yes, several staff and students have enjoyed rare opportunities to visit the sharp end of local shipping and logistics operations. Following the resurgence of the Devon and Cornwall branch of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, members and guests were treated to a range of unforgettable events. In September, a day long visit to Babcocks in Plymouth enabled four staff to experience first-hand the extensive warehousing, inventory, manufacturing, supply chain, and replenishment facilities, in addition to a tour of Albion, alongside at the time. In November, several students visited Glendinning quarry, Ashburton, to add a whole new meaning to their experience of dry bulk operations. Later, five staff visited the First Group‟s national rail stabling facility at Laira. In the era of ISPS precautions, these really have been privileged and invaluable events.

On the teaching front, we now host third year undergraduate
IS&L News the Newsletter of the International Shipping & Logistics Group
University of Plymouth Business Schools classes of around 60 in number. In addition to the 46 Masters students who began the year at Plymouth, in the first term we welcomed a further 25 from the University of Nantes. In January, 31 students joined the Master‟s programme from Venlo in the Netherlands. They will continue their studies with us for Phaes 2 and 3 of the programme. Dr Dongping Song and Dr Shunmugham Pandian have won a teaching award to develop Beer Game software, but before you ask, we will not be able to sample their output in liquid form…
Dr Jingjing Xu and I have been awarded funding to “develop research and enterprise skills in international maritime students”. Current plans include a visit to the City of London in mid-February, with around 30 MSc students. There may be opportunities for more visits – please get in touch if you would like to meet a group of current Plymouth Masters students.
Dr Sarah Tuck seems to have experimented with most forms of communication with Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, but would probably agree that there is no substitute for face to face meetings. Professor Mike Roe ended 2009 with yet more PhD student successes to his long record. New research centres are being developed in the School Paul Wright continues to edit this newsletter and numerous others, and host a galaxy of visiting speakers, which this year included Jonathan Challacombe who presented a paper on ballast water exchange.
Last year, we predicted that 2009 would be “full of surprises”. It was. This year looks as though it will be a year of development and consolidation.

John Dinwoodie,
Reader and Head,

Research News

Low carb shipping.
A new initiative has been launched by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, EPSRC, to study both ways to tackle the problem of emissions created by the global shipping industry and the effect that new legislation will have on the UK's shipping industry. The shipping industry is a substantial employer in the UK with over 200,000 people in Britain either directly involved or employed by associated service industries. In order to achieve this one of the most ambitious research schemes ever launched in the freight field is proposed, to take consideration over a wide, multi-disciplinary area so as to fully assess the complex relationships between shipping and emissions between now and 2050. The Low Carbon Shipping – A Systems Approach Study is an industry funded collaborative project between five UK Universities; University College London, Necastle, Hull, Strathclyde and Plymouth who will work as a consortium alongside a range of industrial partners. Industrial partners include Lloyds Register, Shell, Rolls Royce and David MacBrayne. Through collaboration it is anticipated that industry will be able to identify the best ways shipping can respond to the challenge of a carbon constrained future and reduce its CO2 emissions. The work will be broken down into separate components. Different universities will explore fields such as improvements in ship design through the use of new technologies, improvements in logistic chains and ship operations, efficiency improvements in port operations and intermodal systems. Studies on economic change occurring through global warming and the impact of regulation from carbon trading schemes and fuel taxation also form part of the project. The first meeting of the academic and industrial partners was hosted by Lloyds Register in November, and attended by John Dinwoodie, Principal Investigator of the Plymouth contribution. The project, began officially in January 2010 and will last for three years. It has received funding of £1.7 million from EPSRC. Anyone wishing to know more on the project can find it at http://www.lowcarbonshipping.co.uk

Sustainability Institute
A further Research Institute is being established at the University and will focus on issues of sustainability. It is being modelled on the already successful Marine Institute and is intended to be operational in 2010. The International Shipping and Logistics Group have an interest in this new venture.

Course News

Links to Hong Kong University - SPACE commence.
As already commented in the editorial, academic activities associated with a 'top up' programme jointly established between Hong Kong University and the University of Plymouth are now live.

Agreement with Singapore Maritime Academy
An agreement with Singapore Maritime Academy has been established, meaning that students who have achieved a Higher National Diploma in Maritime Business at Singapore Maritime Academy can transfer to the University of Plymouth, undertake final year studies and achieve a Bachelor of Science degree.

Marine Studies (Foundation Degree)
The four year Honours degree in Marine Studies (Merchant Shipping) which also involves achieving vocational qualifications as Officer of the Watch for merchant ship operation is to be supplemented by the development of a new Foundation degree. The development of a Foundation degree in Marine Studies will align the University of Plymouth with the main stream of intake for trainee Merchant Navy Officers as established by the Merchant Navy Training Board. It is anticipated that the first students will commence the Foundation degree qualification in Autumn 2010.

Staff News

Graduation Ceremonies and Prizegiving.

Undergraduate Graduation For a second year good weather helped provide a fine experience for undergraduates and their families at the graduation ceremonies held in giant marquees placed on Plymouth Hoe during the penultimate week in September. The following prizes were awarded; Chartered Institute of Logistics and Tranport Prize Highest Marks in Maritime Business and Logistics Sara Scarameli PYNDA Prize Outstanding Performance in Maritime Business and Maritime Law Adam Dewar Robert Maine Memorial Fund Prize Best Ex Seafarer in the Final Stage of a Marine Studies Programme William Robert Wesson Postgraduate Graduation The postgraduate graduation ceremony was held at the Plymouth Guildhall on 18th December 2010. The following prizes were awarded; Falmouth Harbour Commissioners Prize. For the best collaborative dissertation. Duncan Shaw Davies Johnson & Co (Marine Solicitors) Prize Best Dissertation on the MSc International Shipping Programme Rahul Rajagopal The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport Prize Best MSc International Logistics / International Supply Chain Management Dissertation Ying-Ying Lee

Sara Scarameli being congratulated by Roger Jobson (Regional Officer) of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. A new prize was awarded to Duncan Shaw by Falmouth Harbour Commissioners. The Prize and plaque was presented by Harriet Knowles

 PhD News.

Congratulations to Captain James Parsons of Memorial University, St Johns, Canada who has recently completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree with a thesis entitled 'Perceived implications for the privatization of the Canadian Coastguard Services'.

Professional Activities.

The International Maritime Organisation's, World Maritime Day was celebrated at the University of Plymouth by the Nautical Institute, Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Techniology (IMarEST) and the University of Plymouth?s Marine Institute. The theme was „Shipping and Climate Change?. It was attended by the Lord and Lady Mayoress of Plymouth and Presidents of the Nautical Institute, Captain Richard Coates and IMarEST Mr Michel Everard CBE. A Fellowship of the Nautical Institute was presented to maritime historian and author Richard Woodman and recognition for long service to the Nautical Institute to Professor Richard Goss. 2010 has been declared the „Year of the Seafarer? and will be celebrated in September.

World Maritime Day 2009 - Celebration at the University of Plymouth

Nautical Institute.
Regular monthly meeting have included a presentation by Dr Syamantak Bhattacharya on the "Management of Ship Safety" - a summary of the findings of his recently completed PhD.

The Nautical Institute which was established in 1970 with staff from Plymouth Polytechnic having a large input into its initial development, has a worldwide membership of 7000 persons. In December 2009 it achieved consultancy status as a Non Governmental Organisation at the International Maritime Organisation, the United Nation's body responsible for the international regulatory framework concerning safety and pollution prevention at sea. The status is valuable recognition of the professional work it undertakes for those who have the responsibility of the management and control of ships.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
In early December John Dinwoodie attended a meeting of a new CILT Faculty in London - the CILT Ports, Maritime and Freight Forwarding Forum. The meeting isI a first attempt to draw together relevant professionals in the South of England and I expected to be of benefit to Plymouth students. This year 72 students, including all full time MSc students present in Plymouth in October and third year undergraduates studying Maritime Business with Logistics, are benefiting from University funded student membership of CILT. CILT accredits both programmes and awards prizes for the best undergraduate and postgraduate work annually.

Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
Jonathan Challacombe is active in helping the revision of the educational activities of the Institute. The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers will join the Nautical Institute at a meeting in March when Dr Philip Rogers, will talk on the 'The Credit Crunch and the Shipping Industry'. Philip is an adjunct faculty member of the Plymouth Business School and Visiting Profeor at Copenhagen Business School.

Some Recent Publications by Staff.

Dinwoodie, J, Knowles H, Tuck,S,, Benhin,J. (2009), Assessing the environmental impact of maritime operations in smaller ports: a systems approach. Logistics Research Network 2009 Conference Proceedings: 'Volatile and Fragile Supply Chains', Cardiff, September; Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Corby, Northants, UK. pp. 536-543. ISBN 978 1 904564 31 7

Dong, J.X. and Song, D.P. (2009), Container fleet sizing and empty repositioning in liner shipping systems, Transportation Research Part E, 45: 860-8

Parsons,J.,Dinwoodie,J.and Roe, M. 2009. Northern opportunities: a strategic review of Canada’s Arctic icebreaking services. Paper presented at Maritech 2009, St Johns, Canada.

Roe, M.S. 2009. Maritime capitalist liposuction – a postmodern interpretation of maritime governance failure. Paper presented at the International Association of Maritime Economists Annual Conference, Copenhagen, June 24-26th.

Song, D-P. and Roe, M.S. 2010. Introduction. International Journal of Shipping, Transport and Logistics, Special Issue: Managing Container Operations Effectively, 2, 1, 1-3. ISSN (Online) 1756-6525; ISSN (Print): 1756-6517.

Song, D-P, Dong, J-X. and Roe, M.S. 2010. Optimal container dispatching in a shuttle service with finite capacity and random demands, International Journal of Shipping, Transport and Logistics, 2, 1, 44-58, ISSN (Online) 1756-6525; ISSN (Print): 1756-6517.

Song, D.P. (2009) Stability and optimisation of a production inventory system under prioritised base-stock control, IMA Journal of Management Mathematics, 20(1): 59-79.

Song, D.P. and Carter, J. (2009), Empty container repositioning in liner shipping, Maritime Policy & Management, 36(4): 291-307.

Song, D.P. (2009) Production and preventive maintenance control in a stochastic manufacturing system, International Journal of Production Economics, 119(1): 101-111.

Song, D.P. (2009) Optimal integrated ordering and production policy in a supply chain with stochastic lead-time, processing- time and demand, IEEE Trans. on Automatic Control, 54(9): 2027-2041

Visiting Speakers

Since the last edition of IS&L News (Summer 2009) the following have kindly given of their time to speak to students about their professional life and the work they undertake.

Ian Palacio - ABP Southampton
Clive Kessel - Imerys
Kevin Mawes - Cirrus Logistics
Philip Parry - Spinnaker Recruitment
Roger Jobson - Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
Philip Rogers - ICAP
Matthew Burton - Shipowners P&I Club
John Philips - Chemoi
Robert Allen - IMarEST
Jonathan Challacombe - University of Plymouth
Paul Wright - University of Plymouth

Alumni Activities

As Plymouth representative Paul Wright helps maintains close links between PYNDA , the Plymouth Nautical Degree Association and the University Alumni Association. For the first time a PYNDA Chairman, Ian Palacio met the Vice Chancellor of the University and also discussed with Clare Anderson (Alumni Association Manager) potential ways for greater collaboration. Proposals have been put together and will be further considered at a meeting to be held in London in early 2010 Ian Farr Director of the America (P&I) Club and PYNDA Committee member accepted an invitation to an event held by the University of Plymouth to thank organisation which had sponsored prizes. Han Ozturk (Membership Secretary) joined staff and students on what has become an annual Plymouth Sound Cruise for ‘freshers’ of both Marine Studies and Maritime Business undergraduate programmes. The cruise is sponsored by PYNDA The Alumni Association now produces an electronic newsletter, ‘e-volve’. An annual publication ‘Plymouth Progress’ was launched in October to help encourage links between former graduates and their alma mater. Contributions are made to each publication In January 2010 the first University of Plymouth Alumni Association event was held in Hong Kong. PYNDA gave support with John Philips of Chemoil based in Singapore being present. Dr Y K Wong and a colleague from Hong Kong University – SPACE were present in addition to 27 University of Plymouth graduates. Twelve attendee were from the former Institute of Marine Studies of the University and include 6 who had completed Post Graduate Diplomas in Hydrographic Surveying. Four attendees had completed degrees within the area of Maritime Business and Transport, namely, Joseph Kwok (1998) event organiser, Tai Kee Cheung (1991), Bill Fan (1994) and Siu Hang Tse (1993). A Committee to organise and coordinate the 150th Celebration of the founding of the Plymouth School of Navigation which takes place in 2012 is being formed. Details of events and activities will appear in due course.

Ian Palacio (Chairman PYNDA) with Professor Wendy Purcell Vice Chancellor of the University of Plymouth Ian Palacio (Chairman PYNDA) with Professor Wendy Purcell Vice Chancellor of the University of Plymouth

News of Past Staff and former Students.

Past Staff.
Captain Len Fifield, former Head of Navigation who retired in 1987 crossed the bar at the age of 88. Len had served in the merchant navy during the second world war, being twice torpedoed before coming ashore to lecture in his specialised interest area – navigation. Along with Captain Hughes (former Deputy Director of Plymouth Polytechnic) He was a founder member of the Nautical Institute and served as its first South West Branch Secretary.

The life of Paul Nicholas, a former member of the economics group of the Plymouth Business School and also remembered for his interests in the economics of the fishing industry through collaborative work with the Institute of Marine Studies was recently remembered. For four years Paul suffered poor health and died in January 2010. He was 62 year of age.

On a happier note Alston Kennerley (Emeritus Doctor in Maritime History), having lost his first wife Helen due to cancer some years ago has tied the knot with Janet. We wish them both every happiness for the future.

John Douglas (former member of the Shipping and Transport Group) was in touch over Christmas. He is well – closing on the end of his seventh decade and still working in Norway for Det Norske Veritas (DNV) producing training material.

Dr Khalid Bichou, who was a member of the IS&L Group moved from Plymouth to Imperial College where he became a co-fouder of the Port Operations Research and Technology Centre (PORTeC). He has recently had a book published by Informa Press under their Practical Shipping Guides series, entitled “Port Operations, Planning and Logistics” which provides a comprehensive and detailed analysis of world port systems through the application of theoretical and practical approaches to port operations management and policy. Sadly the price of the publication, £225 will limit its circulation.

Harry Heijveld who left academia to join the Roman Catholic Church and train for the priest hood is presently studying at St Johns Seminary in Guilford. Irma Pasukeviciute who only last year left Plymouth for Kingston University, London, has headed West again and is now employed by Exeter University as Research and Knowledge Transfer Manager. She shares the same office as another former member of the Marine Institute, Jim Grant

Former students.

Among the many students who have recently been in touch are William Wesson (2009) active in Singapore and helping to establish a new Branch of the Nautical Institute in the area. John Philips of Chemoil paid a visit to the University during a „European business tour?. Having presented a paper at the prestigious Bunker Conference in Antwerp he slipped over to Plymouth and gave a lecture to students on aspects of „Maritime Credit Management?. We have also heard from Richard Mc Cormick (1977) who on graduation went to work with the White Fish Authority. He won the Sir Francis Chichester Award. In correspondence he states that „the School of Maritime Studies was a fantastic place to study with excellent lecturers and equipment’. And more recently we have heard from Constantin Kasapoglou who is studying for a Masters degree in Maritime Operations and Management at City University. He misses Plymouth !

Marine Institute News

The Marine Institute under the directorship of Professor Martin Attrill, has been developing its organisation as a research institute. Various high spending projects are coming together. A new research vessel has been ordered – a part replacement for Catfish – but with a specific initial purpose to give support to coastal research work being undertaken in respect to Wave Hub Project off North Cornwall and the Lyme Bay closed fishing area. The vessel which is being built in Northumberland is due to be completed in time for display at the „Seaworks? Exhibition in Southampton (June 16th – 17th) prior to being delivered handed over to the University of Plymouth?s Marine Institute. An official announcement regarding a new building to house a 35 meter long Wave tank to be used in the development of offshore wave energy devices and coastal engineering is expected shortly. The Marine Institute is now a member of the Society for Maritime Industries (SMI) which provides opportunities for networking within a wider environment. Professor Martin Attrill will be delivering a paper about the environmental impact of marine renewables to the Annual Conference of SMI which is being held at Bath. The theme of the conference is „Investing in UK Maritime Renewable Energy – Engineering Challenges and Business Opportunities.? A new Fact Sheet . A new Fact Sheet which shows the Marine Institute „at a glance? has been produced. It states that the Marine Institute is „a pan-University facility which provides a focus for marine and maritime activities „ and covers the marine research plan, key facilities and education. Copies can be obtained from the Marine Institute Office, Portland Square Building. The design of Marine Institute materials, including ‘Mainstay’, its twice yearly newsletter, is being developed to provide a more exciting style. This is being undertaken alongside the re- development of the Marine Institute website which when complete will provide greater flexibility and extended services.

Ian Palacio (Chairman PYNDA) with Professor Wendy Purcell Vice Chancellor of the University of Plymouth The new Marine Institute Fact Sheet.

Miscellany.

Technospeak Lloyds List made a comment under the title „Technospeak? on the IAME Conference held at Copenhagen, at which one of the IS&L Group members presented a paper.

A FINE display of techno-jargon was experienced by those attending the recent International Association of Maritime Economists in Copenhagen. Try ‘Maritime capitalist liposuction: A post-modern interpretation of maritime governance failure’, or ‘The charter fixing negotiation procedure with asymmetric impatience in a game theory framework’. In fact the former paper, by Michael Roe of University of Plymouth, was a cogent if controversial critique of the failures of the current system of maritime policymaking at all levels, while the latter analysed the process of fixing coal and iron ore cargoes. Not all the presentations were dogged by such impenetrable titles, however.

Lloyds List July 6th 2009

Marine Academies.
The Marine Academy Plymouth (MAP) was recently launched. MAP will be a City Centre Academy established at the former Tamarside School. The Academy, whose main sponsor is the University of Plymouth will follow the national curriculum but also have its own specialism in marine studies. It is expected to receive government funding of about £17m. Plymouth City Council and Cornwall College are also sponsoring the development. It is believed that Plymouth's maritime history, its thriving fishing community and boatbuilding excellence can be used to help transform the school.

Maritime Plymouth of which the Marine Institute is a member is looking to work with the Cornwall Maritime Network to develop a regional marine academy which will focus on delivering vocational skills to meet the needs of small and medium sized industries.

Marine Excellence. In late September Plymouth? historic Hoe provided the setting for an evening celebration of the Marine Institute and its activities. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Wendy Purcell, Tooni Moon, Plymouth Graduate and presenter of the BBC Ocean series, Lynda Gilroy MP and Professor Martin Attrill (Director of the Marine Institute) spoke about the great opportunities that the marine and maritime industries present. Photographs of the event appeared in the Social Diary of Devon Life.

What's On? Some Future Events

All Smiles on Graduation Day !

For further details or comment on any of the above items please contact: Paul Wright Editor IS&L News Associate Director (Marketing & Outreach) Marine Institute c/o University of Plymouth Business School Tel No 01752 232466 Email pwright@plymouth.ac.uk The next Edition of “IS&L News” will be produced in summer 2010. The Editor is always pleased to receive copy Other Web Sites of interest: PYNDA www.pynda.org Marine Institute www.plymouth.ac.uk/marine Faculty of Social Science and Business www.plymouth.ac.uk