Research Projects - Research

A sustainable and digital framework for safety and security in ports

FPP project manager: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marko PERKOVIČ

Coworkers:

Project duration: from 01.01.2025 to 31.12.2027

Collaborators:

University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering

prof. dr. Boštjan Batagelj, asist. dr. Aljaž Blatnik, prof. dr. Matjaž Vidmar, asist. dr. Andrej Lavrič, asist. dr. Tomi Mlinar in Luka Podbregar

University o

Project financing: ARIS, Port of Koper

Smart seaports are a new generation of digital ports that aim to be more efficient, sustainable and innovative than traditional ports. They use advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things, big data, blockchain and automation to improve operations and reduce environmental impact.

One of the key features of smart ports is their automation, which allows them to operate around the clock without human intervention. This increases efficiency and reduces labour costs. The use of data is crucial for business optimization and better use of all resources. Smart ports are more environmentally friendly as they are often built to reduce their carbon footprint and protect the marine environment. They also use renewable energy and other sustainable technologies to reduce their environmental impact.

The project aimed to improve Luka Koper's port's efficiency, safety, security, and environmental performance. The path to sustainability is also a societal challenge that affects international and national legislation, urban planning and transportation, and local and individual lifestyles and consumption. The concept of "sustainability" for ports is integrating environmentally friendly port operation and management methods. In other words, sustainably: Each development causes the least possible impact and contributes to improving measures and control of air, water, noise and waste quality.

The project will consider several measures to establish the sustainability of seaports, including the application of policy and regulatory frameworks in ports to reduce pollutant emissions, the greening of the port city and the integration of the port into the urban area through the inclusion of trees that absorb noise and air pollution, the use of renewable energy sources in port operations and activities, the transition of ports from a linear economy to a circular economy, the goal of redefining products and services to prevent waste while minimizing negative impacts, the implementation of an energy management system (EnMS) and/or an environmental management system to improve the port's environmental profile and increase energy efficiency.

There are important security challenges in today's era of intense digital transformation, which the Slovenian port is also following. Particular attention is being paid to linking maritime traffic management systems and cargo handling operations with digital security systems. It has been proven that cyberattacks in the maritime transport sector have an impact not only on business but also on the safety of shipping and, thus, on the risk of maritime accidents with major environmental consequences.

The above initiatives will be achieved through improvements and new approaches to existing port operations activities. The Agenda for Sustainable Development of World Ports provides a general framework for how ports can better contribute to sustainability. The program is supported by the EU and international organizations such as the European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO), the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the Association Internationale Villes et Ports (AIVP), the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC), the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA), the International Association of dredging companies (IADC) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Publications

PERKOVIČ, Marko, BATISTA, Milan, GUCMA, Maciej, LUIN, Blaž, VIDMAR, Peter. Breakaway of large, unevenly loaded container ships. V: ZANNE, Marina (ur.), BAJEC, Patricija (ur.), TWRDY, Elen (ur.). 21st International conference on transport science (ICTS 2024) : conference proceedings. [S. l.]: Elsevier, 2025. Vol. 83, str. 282-290. Transportation research procedia (Online), vol. 83. ISSN 2352-1465. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352146525000407, DOI: 10.1016/j.trpro.2025.02.038. [COBISS.SI-ID 230661635]

TULJAK SUBAN, Danijela, PEGAN, Urban, BANDELJ, Vinko, DEMŠAR, Jure, PERKOVIČ, Marko, SUBAN, Valter. Importance of environmental factors in coastal sensitivity in north Adriatic. V: ZANNE, Marina (ur.), BAJEC, Patricija (ur.), TWRDY, Elen (ur.). 21st International conference on transport science (ICTS 2024) : conference proceedings. [S. l.]: Elsevier, 2025. Vol. 83, str. 186-193. Transportation research procedia (Online), vol. 83. ISSN 2352-1465. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352146525000286?via%3Dihub, DOI: 10.1016/j.trpro.2025.02.026. [COBISS.SI-ID 230665731]

HERO, Marin, VIDMAR, Peter, VLAČIČ, Patrick, PERKOVIČ, Marko. Limiting greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime transport sector. V: ZANNE, Marina (ur.), BAJEC, Patricija (ur.), TWRDY, Elen (ur.). 21st International conference on transport science (ICTS 2024) : conference proceedings. [S. l.]: Elsevier, 2025. Vol. 83, str. 157-164. Transportation research procedia (Online), vol. 83. ISSN 2352-1465. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352146525000249, DOI: 10.1016/j.trpro.2025.02.022. [COBISS.SI-ID 230680579]

SRŠE, Jure, PERKOVIČ, Marko, VIDMAR, Peter, ANDROJNA, Andrej, BRCKO, Tanja. Small craft port design in Slovenia. V: ZANNE, Marina (ur.), BAJEC, Patricija (ur.), TWRDY, Elen (ur.). 21st International conference on transport science (ICTS 2024) : conference proceedings. [S. l.]: Elsevier, 2025. Vol. 83, str. 209-218. Transportation research procedia (Online), vol. 83. ISSN 2352-1465. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352146525000316, DOI: 10.1016/j.trpro.2025.02.029. [COBISS.SI-ID 230688515]

VIDMAR, Peter, HERO, Marin, PERKOVIČ, Marko. Nova goriva za ladje : oddaja Ugriznimo znanost. Ljubljana: RTV Slovenija, oddja Ugriznimo znanost, 2025. 1 spletni vir (1 zvočna datoteka (18. min.)). https://365.rtvslo.si/arhiv/ugriznimo-znanost/175105158. [COBISS.SI-ID 225759491]

KRMAC, Evelin, MANSOURI KALEIBAR, Mozhgan. The efficiency of the container terminals in Adriatic : an improved data envelopment analysis. Operational research in engineering sciences : theory and applications. [Online ed.]. 2025, vol. 8, iss. 1, str. 1-21. ISSN 2620-1747. https://oresta.org/article-view/?id=815, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15192423. [COBISS.SI-ID 226961923]

AKINSOLU, Olutola, KRMAC, Evelin. Analyses of the container throughput : case study on the selected ports of Europe and China. V: ZANNE, Marina (ur.), BAJEC, Patricija (ur.), TWRDY, Elen (ur.). 21st International conference on transport science (ICTS 2024) : conference proceedings. [S. l.]: Elsevier, 2025. Vol. 83, str. 244-250. Transportation research procedia (Online), vol. 83. ISSN 2352-1465. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352146525000353, DOI: 10.1016/j.trpro.2025.02.033. [COBISS.SI-ID 230656515], [SNIP, Scopus]

MANSOURI KALEIBAR, Mozhgan, KRMAC, Evelin. Container port efficiency : comparison of Adriatic ports with other Italian ports using non-radial DEA. V: ZANNE, Marina (ur.), BAJEC, Patricija (ur.), TWRDY, Elen (ur.). 21st International conference on transport science (ICTS 2024) : conference proceedings. [S. l.]: Elsevier, 2025. Vol. 83, str. 251-257. Transportation research procedia (Online), vol. 83. ISSN 2352-1465. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352146525000365, DOI: 10.1016/j.trpro.2025.02.034. [COBISS.SI-ID 230657795]

GUCMA, Lucian, BATISTA, Milan, PERKOVIČ, Marko. A probabilistic framework for assessing vessel impact on bridges considering technical failures : insights from the Baltimore accident case study. Marine structures. 2026, vol. 105, str. 1-39. ISSN 1873-4170. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0951833925001297?dgcid=author, DOI: 10.1016/j.marstruc.2025.103906. [COBISS.SI-ID 245311491], [Odprti dostop, JCR, SNIP, WoS, Scopus]

[COBISS.SI-ID 246494723]

[COBISS.SI-ID 246496515]

1. ŽAGAR, Dejan. Evaluating emotional response and effort in nautical simulation training using noninvasive methods. Sensors. 2025, vol. 25, issue 1 7, [article no.] 5508, str. 1-17, ilustr. ISSN 1424-8220. https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/17/5508, DOI: 10.3390/s25175508. [COBISS.SI-ID 247898115], [Odprti dostop, JCR, SNIP]

The study contributes to the wider discussion on maritime safety and security by showing how stress and emotional resilience can affect navigational performance. In the Arpa simulator setting, we observed that inexperienced participants displayed recognizable stress patterns that influenced their confidence, attention, and decision-making. The findings are relevant for high-density and high-workload environments such as port approaches, traffic separation schemes, and manoeuvring in restricted waters, where human error can quickly escalate into safety or security incidents. The perspective emphasizes the importance of strengthening maritime safety and security in complex port areas and coastal approaches, where navigational, environmental, and human factors interact in ways that increase vulnerability. By highlighting the link between emotional states and operational outcomes, our research adds a complementary human factors dimension, helping to inform practical approaches to training and resilience-building during the learning phase, and supporting advanced risk assessment and resilience strategies.