The role of container shipping is proven to be crucial for in moving goods across oceans and seas to satisfy human demand around the world. Recently, the emergence of unexpected events such as the Covid-19 pandemic or the blockage of the Suez Canal has brought a variety of challenges to global economic activities, and container shipping is no exception. Therefore, this paper aims to discover the difficulties faced by shippers when sea transport is chosen as a method to deliver their containers in the new context. The study is conducted in the north of Vietnam and involves interviewing specialists and experienced export managers to identify the possible risks associated with container shipping. Then, a survey is conducted among those in the shipping industry, including manufacturers, freight forwarders, and trading companies, among others. Answers are ranked on a Likert scale and a probability and impact matrix is applied, facilitating the evaluation of container shipping risks. As a result, this study is expected to bring a deeper understanding of the risks faced by shippers when they export their containers, with possible solutions also presented. Meanwhile, shipping service providers are aware of their customers’ experiences and for this reason can improve their service quality or develop new services to enhance customer satisfaction.

With the development of the global marine transportation industry, marine accidents frequently occur due to the complex and changeable climate environment, and maritime search and rescue work has thus received much attention. To improve marine search and rescue operations, an algorithm for environmental modeling and search path optimization based on an ant colony system is proposed. First, MAKLINK is selected to build an ecological model. Secondly, the relevant parameters of the ant colony system algorithm are established, and the search and rescue route is designed. Finally, simulations of the environmental model and route design are constructed in search and rescue waters in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, using MATLAB. Experimental results prove the validity of this algorithm.

Given the technological innovations of the fourth industrial revolution, cutting-edge ICT technology has been applied in research on aids to navigation, and due to the emergence of new types of equipment and technological advancements, it is necessary to apply realistic standards to the designation of service lifetimes to aids to navigation facilities' equipment and components. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a legal basis for the effective operation of aids to navigation facilities' equipment and component. Therefore, in this paper, improvements in the designation of realistic service lifetimes are suggested by investigating the service life management and operation status of domestic and foreign aids to navigation, providing on-site surveys on the management status of aids to navigation facilities in Korea, and with a questionnaire survey to gather expert opinions.

To operate a dry port effectively and efficiently, strengthening the competitiveness of dry ports could be the key to bring notable improvements during operational activities and to increase the attraction of dry ports. This paper aims to discover the prioritization of the influential determinants of dry port competitiveness in the north and the south of Vietnam through an analysis based on expert judgments and customer evaluations. With a comprehensive literature review of previous studies equal to investigation results gained from several intensive interviews, many variables are adopted as potential factors that may enhance the competitiveness of dry ports in Vietnam. Through the AHP and IPA approach, this study sketches several development strategies for dry ports and provides important insights for governments by encouraging and supporting policies for the proper operation of dry ports. In the AHP analysis, cost was found to be the most important factor to improve dry port development in Vietnam, and transportation connectivity and cost are more prioritized in the north, with the remaining important determinants for dry port competitiveness receiving more attention in the south of Vietnam.

With the development of maritime ICT, the introduction of e-navigation and the MASS (maritime autonomous surface ship), the types and scope of maritime communication networks are expanding, and the need for digital AtoN services is increasing. However, due to problems such as the aging of fishing crews, coastal backlight, weather conditions, and inexperience with regard to the use of advanced navigation equipment on board, the visual and electronic perception of AtoN is degraded, and it is difficult to ensure safe ship navigation. In this study, in response to the introduction of the MASS, a plan for the development of an active customized virtual digital AtoN service system in consideration of ship operating conditions and geographic conditions is proposed. The proposed service system may facilitate electronic identification of AtoN and contribute to preventing marine accidents by ensuring the safe navigation of ships.