Projects and research

The project OIL SPILL intended to fill the gaps of harmonised procedures between sea, shore and land in oil spill combating by harmonising cross-border and cross-sectorial operational procedures to marine pollution and oil spill contingency plans in the Baltic Sea Region. Education and training was harmonised through the implementation of operational marine spill studies in the curriculas of future seafarers, rescue officers, environmental specialists, etc, and by using the potential of existing BSR maritime simulator centres to carry out cross-border marine spill response trainings based on the connected simulators network.

The activities were carried out in accordance with the principles of cooperation on pollution preparedness and response under HELCOM.

The project was funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region program and the activities were conducted between 01.01.2019 - 31.12.2021.
 

Contact: Kadi Kasepõld (kadi.kasepold@taltech.ee)

OIL SPILL webpage

Mathematical procedures presented to students are mainly oriented to solutions of mathematical problems that are in general unrelated to the students' future seafarer profession. Consequently, the perception of mathematical education by many students at maritime universities is that knowledge of mathematics is not essential for advancement of their future seafarers careers. This fosters the lack of students' interest for mathematical education and is characterised by low success rates at mathematical exams.

MareMathics project developed methods for learning mathematics for students of maritime study programmes, aiming at their improved acquiring of knowledge and results. Project envisaged support for teachers of mathematics at maritime study programmes, in the form of innovative teaching methods, using contemporary IT and communication tools.

Project was funded from the Erasmus+ programme Key Action Type Strategic Partnerships for higher education with a total budget of 224 204 €. The duration of the project was 24 months: 31.12.2019 – 30.12.2021. 

The project intended to reduce main negative impacts of high-speed craft cursing in the Baltic Sea by improving in design and operation of future high-speed craft for a clean, safe and smart boating.

 In details, the focus was on three categories:

•  Hydrodynamic design of high-speed craft for safety and energy efficiency
•  Propulsion system design for better energy efficiency and lower noise emission
• Automation and digitalization of high-speed craft operation for increasing safety, smart cruising and fuel efficiency

The seed money project was funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region program and the activities were carried out in the period 01.10.2020 - 30.09.2021.

Total budget of the Project was 50 000 €, of which the share of TalTech’ was 19 000 €. Lead Partner of the Project was Tallinn University of Technology.

Contact: Abbas Dashtimanesh (abbas.dashtimanesh@taltech.ee)

During 2011 - 2018 over 25 000 ships were involved in accidents and human factor was cited to be the cause in over 65% of these. Digitalisation and automation have been heralded as technologies that can improve human performance and, therefore, reduce risk and accidents. On the other hand, safety critical operations have identified that by applying novel technologies new unanticipated negative consequences can occur. With the shipping industry and the whole maritime domain being an international playground with several stakeholders, the project had a wide range of beneficiaries. This project addressed the gaps in understanding the human factor in rapidly digitalising maritime environment by creating a strategy for the industry in order to sustain safety performance through a better understanding of the risks in the nature of changing maritime operations.

The seed money project was funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region program and the activities were carried out in the period 01.10.2020 - 30.09.2021.

Total budget of the Project was 50 000 €, of which the share of TalTech’ is 10 000 €. Lead Partner of the Project was University of Turku

Contact: Kadi Kasepõld (kadi.kasepold@taltech.ee)

The aim of the study is to develop new added value products from unpopular fish species according to young consumers’ needs and preferences. Development of unpopular fish species via consumer driven product development can increase companies’ product portfolios, turnover, employment, profit and competitiveness. Study is aiming to deliver new fish processing solutions for small businesses, e.g. small productions and individual fishermen.

Logistics of fish products via parcel machines or couriers has great potential, but challenges and risks need to be evaluated. Possibility to monitor and guarantee temperature range suitable for fish products safety is a key factor in using this kind of logistics methods. Selecting the best time-temperature indicators enables to deliver fish products with highest quality. More convenient fish products delivery methods will be embraced both by consumers and by companies.

This study consumers-products-logistics is important for Estonian costal and inshore fishermen.

Contact: Loreida Timberg (loreida.timberg@taltech.ee)

The main aim of project CoMET (Internationally Competitive Maritime Education for Modern Seagoing and High-Quality Port Services) is to enhance maritime safety and to increase maritime business in the Central Baltic region by providing internationally competitive maritime education and training for seafarers (according to STCW-78 requirements) and port employees.

Project partners are Joint Educational Authority of Kotka-Hamina Region (lead partner), South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Estonian Maritime Academy (EMERA), Novia University of Applied Sciences (Aboa Mare) and Ida-Virumaa Vocational Education Centre. 
 

EMERA-s budget is 317 105 €, of which ERDF funding 266 368,20 €.
 

During the Project it is planned to:

• Connect EMERA simulator centre to European Maritime Simulators Network;

• Harmonize project partners simulator centres software and hardware to link them in the same Network;

• Development of common simulator-based teaching methodology and pedagogical approach to sufficiently carry out cross-border simulator training;

• Development of common logistic/cargo handling teaching methodology and pedagogy;

• Integration of new vessel dynamic positioning system to EMERA simulator centre and the development of new study programs.  

Duration of the Project: 01.03.2018 – 31.08.2021.

Project video

CoMET Webpage

Contact: Jarmo Kõster jarmo.koster@taltech.ee

The aim of the project is to update and modernize the speciality-specific courses of the Waterway Safety Management study program by implementing ICT-based technical solutions and ICT-related knowledge and skills in order to bring the study program into compliance with the standards of the International Hydrographic Organization.

During the Project it is planned to:

• Develop existing and purchase new software / hardware
• Create study materials and practice guides
• To train instructors with ICT knowledge and skills in the respective fields

Project is funded by HITSA IT Academy and activites will be carried out in the periood 01.04.2020-31.07.2021

Contact: Inga Zaitseva-Pärnaste (inga.zaitseva@taltech.ee)

The overall goal is to develop the concept (prototype) of "smart cardeck" for Tallink Group Ltd., that enables the automatisation and higher effectiveness of vehicle-related processes in port area.
 

During the project a study to identify possible technological and system architectual solutions will be conducted. The technological solution and user interfaces will be developed and tested.
 

A successful solution will make the use of the cargo space more effective, reduce the labour need during the loading and unloading, as well as shortens the waiting time to and from the ship.
 

Project is funded by Tallink Group Ltd. and the activities will be conducted between 16.01.2019 - 31.12.2020.


Contact: 
Dan Heering
Director in Development
Tel: +372 613 5591
GSM +372 5062783
dan.heering@taltech.ee

The Baltic Sea region depends on well-functioning ferry links as significant parts of it

s international and domestic flows of goods and passengers include ferry trips and involve intermodal transport chains. The project "Real Time Ferries (RTF)" extends the use of real-time information to optimise intermodal transport chains for goods and people in the Baltic Sea Region. It sets up a collaborative BSR ferry real time data hub that provides a shares base infrastructure to collect, process and deploy real-time info along intermodal (ports and logistics, public transport, ship navigation) door-to-door transport chains across the region. It is intended to establish 5-10 pilot applications for different situations, such as redirecting goods and passengers in case the trip is cancelled.

By the end of the project, it will be easier and cheaper for all relevant transport actors to generate and utilise the solution for optimising intermodal transport chains for both: goods and people, across the entire region.

Contact: Dan Heering (dan.heering@taltech.ee)

The project BOOSTED aims at providing an aligned and relevant skillset for the Central Baltic region to grow as a coherent tourism destination. It boosts tourism business competitiveness through higher professional education in Finland, Estonia and Latvia. It is about identifying and aligning the skills in tourism business development through research and also implementing the curriculum as a joint study programme of 32 ECTS online in Finland, Estonia and Latvia.
The project is funded by the Interreg Central Baltic program and last for three years: November 2016- October 2019.

BOOSTED is implemented in cooperation between four leading higher education in Finland, Estonia and Latvia, two associated universities also participate in the project activities.
 

More info: BOOSTED webpage

Teachers' Guide to Tourism Curriculum Design and Delivery

This network of educational institutions has been established to mobilise the infrastructure of science and research studies in the Baltic Sea Region countries, to promote LNG study programmes, develop training and research, and to increase the availability of knowledge about LNG technology among business representatives, developers and implementers of energy and environmental policies. The BSR LNG Competence Centre will develop a model of inter-institutional cooperation that will enable the development of joint projects and services required for the LNG sector.

Estonian Maritime Academy joined the LNG Competence Centre in 2017. Besides EMARA, universities and research institutions from Lithuania, Germany, Sweden, Poland and Denmark have also joined the partnership.

GoLNG webpage

The aim of the project was to develop and carry out courses for border guards in the field of maritime safety and security with the focus on creating standardized "Search mission coordinator (SMC)" and "On-Scene Commander (OSC)" courses that could be offered to all countries in EU and also third countries. The courses are based on IAMSAR Manual, EU legislation, and regulations, as well as are in compliance with the SQF and EU lifelong learning principles.  

Duration of the Project: 10.2017 – 08.2018.

Baltic Sea region countries lacked an efficient tool to share information on maritime spatial planning and, in this way, to support each other in the fast and consistent elaboration of maritime spatial plans. The project paved the way for standardized and commonly accessible spatial data by elaborating on the needs and conditions for setting up such a database and supporting the collection of the best available maritime spatial planning data in the Baltic Sea region.

Duration of the Project: 09.2017 - 08.2018

SME Aisle’s (Exports of cluster of CB economic strengths shipbuilding, maritime renewable energy, automation and ICT to Namibia as a stable point to entry to the South African markets) main objective is to achieve sales to Central Baltics Small and Medium Sized Enterprises with joint concept using Namibia as a safe entry point to coastal South African countries (e.g. South Africa, Angola, Mozambique).  

Projects lead partner Satakunta University of Applied Sciences has deep expertise and solid connections in Namibia’s business environment. Other project partners are, in addition to EMERA, Prizztech Oy from Finland, Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Association of Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking Industries of Latvia and Swedish Windpower Association (associated partner).
 

The project budget is 1,73 million euros, in which EMERA budget is approx. 400 000 euros.
 

The export services are in the fields of:

• Infrastructure – machinery, renewable energy, automation, ICT solutions in ports and hinterlands;

• Shipbuilding, retrofitting;

• Certified training (maritime, crewing, renewable energy, automation, ICT); 

• Expert services on safety, surveillance, environmental and custom clearance procedures.

Duration of the Project: 01.03.2018 – 31.08.2022
 

Contact: Erko Veltson (erko.veltson@taltech.ee)

SME Aisle webpage

The Surveying and Maritime Internet of Things Education (SMARTSEA) project aims to develop an advanced interactive certified MSc course related to maritime and surveyors' IoT applications that will train individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to work with the rising "smart maritime and surveying" industry.

During the project the study program, as well as the specific courses will be developed. The course duration is 8 months, plus a 1-month maritime on the job experience. During the course two mobility periods for the students and educators are organised to participate in the large-scale laboratories in two universities, in Slovenia and Greece.  The SMARTSEA test course will be carried out in the second part on the project.

Contact: Kadi Kasepõld (kadi.kasepold@taltech.ee)

SMARTSEA webpage