Title: A cross-disciplinary approach to minimising the risks of maritime transport in the Gulf of Finland

Authors: Eveliina Klemola, Jenni Kuronen, Juha Kalli, Tommi Arola, Maria Hanninen, Annukka Lehikoinen, Sakari Kuikka, Pentti Kujala, Ulla Tapaninen

Addresses: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, FEM Group, University of Helsinki, Mussalontie 428 B, 48310 Kotka, Finland. ' Centre for Maritime Studies, University of Turku, Mussalontie 428 B, 48310 Kotka, Finland. ' Centre for Maritime Studies, University of Turku, P.O. Box 181, 28101 Pori, Finland. ' Hydrographic Department, Finnish Maritime Administration, P.O. Box 171, 00181 Helsinki, Finland. ' Department of Applied Mechanics, Helsinki University of Technology, Mussalontie 428 B, 48310 Kotka, Finland. ' Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, FEM Group, University of Helsinki, Mussalontie 428 B, 48310 Kotka, Finland. ' Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, FEM Group, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland. ' Department of Applied Mechanics, Helsinki University of Technology, P.O. Box 5300, 02015 TKK, Finland. ' Centre for Maritime Studies, University of Turku, Mussalontie 428 B, 48310 Kotka, Finland

Abstract: The maritime traffic in the Gulf of Finland is predicted to rapidly increase in the near future, which increases the environmental risks both through direct environmental effects and by increasing the accident risk. This paper describes a multidisciplinary modelling approach, where, based on growth predictions, the maritime traffic in the Gulf of Finland in the year 2015 is modelled and the accident risk, the direct environmental effects and the risk of environmental accidents are evaluated. Finally, the effects of national and international legislation and other management actions are modelled, to produce advice and support for governmental decision makers. In the modelling work, Bayesian Networks (BNs) are applied. The approach produces unique information on the accident risks and their effects separately for each marine route used, which enables efficient local risk control actions to be taken by the decision makers to decrease the probability of accidents.

Keywords: Gulf of Finland; risk modelling; Bayesian networks; oil transport; atmospheric emissions; maritime transport; environmental pollution; risk assessment; maritime traffic; environmental risks; risk management; accident risks.

DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2009.026212

World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 2009 Vol.2 No.4, pp.343 - 363

Published online: 28 May 2009 *

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