Maritime Transport

Maritime and logistics, business and policy research

Cargo ships entering one of the busiest ports in the world, Singapore.

The Maritime Transport Research Group is located within Plymouth Business School and conducts internationally recognised research into shipping, ports and associated businesses. Through our constant engagement with the industry locally, nationally and internationally, we are able to achieve impact at all levels. Impact is achieved through innovative research in both digitalisation and decarbonisation. These research strands are important for global trade, as the maritime transport sector carries 80% of global trade, and therefore is the backbone of the global economy.

Research lead – Dr Stavros Karamperidis

Dr Stavros Karamperidis is a Lecturer in Maritime Economics in the Department of International Shipping, Logistics and Operations at the University. Stavros is also regularly invited to deliver guest lectures at various universities and Merchant Maritime Academies around the globe.

Contact Dr Stavros Karamperidis to find out more about our research or with any further enquiries.

Research interests

Our aim and vision is to provide excellent research in maritime transport and logistics, which focuses on digitalisation and decarbonisation. In doing so, we demonstrate the impact of the maritime transport sector both in financial and employment (job creation) terms.

Our research interests can be grouped into the following broad areas.

Maritime economics

Market concentration and competitiveness between ports and maritime organisations at meso- and micro-economic scales - includes systems modelling, optimisation and design, big data, knowledge and information management and financial and economic impacts.

A woman using a laptop to access information on global shipping security and logistics

Maritime policy

Maritime law, maritime regulation and maritime governance centred around interests which include environmental regulation, legal and regulatory processes, human resource issues, social responsibility, community and stakeholder impacts.

Maritime sustainability

Maritime transport is an essential stakeholder in the green economy and blue growth, therefore significant measures need to be undertaken to alleviate its environmental impacts at regional and global levels.

Maritime security
We also have a keen interest in maritime security, an area that we explore through our close relations with the Centre for Seapower and Strategy (CSS) and the Maritime Cyber Threats research group .

Dartmouth Centre for Seapower and Strategy - our activities

Study with us

Join programmes that they have over 40 years of international industry experience with a strong focus on commercial aspects of shipping, ports, logistics, supply chain and procurement. Build industry connections through the visiting speakers' programme and stand out to employers with a qualification that is recognised from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, The Nautical Institute and accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

News and events

Keep up to date with with the latest developments of the Maritime Transport Research Group.