Maritime Economics and Finance
The Institute's research in maritime economics addresses the efficient use of resources and
technology in waterborne transportation. Utilizing fundamental principles of economics, our
researchers analyze operations of shipping firms, ports, inland waterways, and the hinterland
transportation system to provide strategies in the optimum use of manpower, energy, and
facilities. The areas of analysis include financial and market evaluation of investment
opportunities with emphasis on non-structural or low cost structural improvements of existing
operations. Economic (social) benefits are being evaluated along with the financial health of
maritime organizations. The theory and practice of tariffs and user charges are being continually
expanded inclusive of benchmarking among competing ports, accounting procedures,
relationships between individual activities and profit allocation, financial strategies and their
impact on productivity, investment risk, and management structure. Recommendations are
clearly presented to decision makers, allowing for practical implementation of conclusions.
Maritime Engineering and Technology
The Institute is at the forefront in many areas of international maritime research, applications of
new technologies, and the impact of new technology on maritime transportation. New
technological concepts and their commercial consequences in the short- and long-run are
constantly developed, reviewed, and applied. The interactions between shore infrastructure and
shipping (vessel) technology are being addressed. Particular emphasis is placed on the market for
practical application for new vessel types and their associated impact on cargo handling
equipment, port layouts, and intermodal operation. Computerized simulations are applied to test
alternative layouts and enhance productivity. Technological innovations are integrated with the
unique local conditions of river and coastal environments to derive cost effective alternative
solutions.
Intermodal Systems
Intermodalism, or the combination of several modes of transportation into one integrated system,
is probably the most rapidly developing area in modern transportation. Understandably,
intermodalism is one of the major research areas of the Institute. The Institute builds, first, on
specific expertise in the major transportation modes, including road, rail, inland waterways, and
ocean systems. Secondly, the Institute has developed an expertise in system engineering to
combine the mode-specific knowledge into a comprehensive intermodal transportation system.
Recent research of the Institute encompassed the planning of a regional intermodal transportation
system, including analysis of alternative mode combinations, and assessment of the overall
system cost and corresponding level of service. Consequently, special research efforts have been
devoted to intermodal terminals and the efficient bimodal exchange operation. Intermodal issues
are multi-disciplinary with elements from areas of engineering, technology, economics, and
planning.
Ports and Waterways Planning
One of the main focal points of the Institute is the development of methodologies for maritime
strategic and master planning with application to specific ports and waterway segments as well as
for regional and national maritime systems. The projects require extensive inputs from all
divisions of the Institute and, if necessary, other university departments or consulting firms. The
Institute has contributed extensively to planning concepts that reflect the newest industry trends,
such as the creation of load centers, new vessels and their deployment, water and land accesses,
emergency planning, and the interdependence between physical and institutional development.
The major goal is practical implementation of proposed development programs. To achieve this
goal the Institute works closely with users, such as liner services, and with a variety of financial
institutions. Our services typically extend beyond analytical assessments by preparing the
necessary documentation and business plans to secure commercial financing for private sector
clients in joint ventures with public authorities, and the development of strategies and related
analyses to assert an equitable degree of risk sharing in operating and lease agreements between
the public and the private sector operators.
Privatization and Institutional Reform Services
Many maritime organizations face the possibility of business opportunities by spinning off and
privatizing some of their services or, alternately, making investments with private sector
participation. The Institute has wide experience in formulating institutional frameworks that
minimize constraints to organizational efficiencies and in assessing the business potential of
individual maritime services and for devising strategies for attracting private sector participation.
At the same time, care is taken to preserve the public (shippers) interest and maintain a fair
competitive environment. Institute researchers typically examine the competitive environment of
the enterprise, analyze the market potential for specific services, evaluate the potential
profitability of the enterprise, examine the economic and financial impact to the government and
to users, structure a strategy for the privatization transaction, and address the clauses to be
incorporated in the privatization transaction agreement.
Maritime Safety and Environment
The Institute has an extensive record in the critical areas of maritime safety and environmental
protection. It has organized and facilitated international maritime safety workshops, provided
training to port and maritime managers, and completed key research projects for federal and state
agencies. Areas of expertise developed in these projects include risk and vulnerability analysis,
waterway and vessel traffic management systems, contingency planning, pollution prevention,
and oil pollution response management. The identification, consideration, and mitigation of
threats to maritime safety and the marine environment help to ensure that the economic
development of ports and the facilitation of maritime commerce can be accomplished without
degrading the environment or endangering life and property.
Management Training
The efficient use of port and other maritime facilities is critically dependent on the development of sound management practices and operational procedures. Because of the need for improved utilization of available maritime infrastructures and rapid introduction of new techniques, the Institute has as one of its primary objectives provision of training to and port and waterways
personnel in the areas of maritime management, planning and engineering, operations, and
finance. Training is directed mainly at middle and upper level personnel. The training activities
are conducted by the Institute in close association with the Port of New Orleans, several other
leading ports in the U.S. and overseas, and international maritime organizations. The Institute
offers a variety of training activities, ranging from an annual management course (International
Program for Port Planning and Management) and workshops on specific topics, to customized
training, site visit programs, and internships with the Institute.