In focus of Ocean
4th Shipping and Environment Conference
An international scientific conference on maritime shipping and related impacts on air pollution, environment, and climate.
Ships trigger high and unexpected emissions of the greenhouse gas methane
Ship traffic in shallow areas, such as ports, can trigger large methane emissions by just moving through the water. The researchers in a study, led by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, observed twenty times higher methane emissions in the shipping lane compared to nearby undisturbed areas. Despite the fact that methane is a greenhouse gas that is 27 times as powerful as carbon dioxide, these emissions are often overlooked with today's measurement methods.
Polar expedition to explore a changing Arctic
On 10 August, four researchers from Chalmers University of Technology boarded the icebreaker Oden for a six-week expedition to the Central Arctic Ocean. The aim of the voyage is to improve our understanding of the interactions between the ocean, sea ice and atmosphere in a rapidly changing Arctic. An important part of the expedition is the international Early Career Researcher Programme, which includes 24 of the expedition’s 35 researchers.“The programme is one of the main objectives of the expedition. It focuses on the Arctic climate system and combines lectures, seminars and practical fieldwork. The aim is to educate the next generation of polar researchers,” says Leif Eriksson, Professor of Radar Remote Sensing at Chalmers University of Technology.
Marine environment at risk due to ship emissions
The combined emissions of metals and other environmentally hazardous substances from ships is putting the marine environment at risk according to a new study from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden. When the researchers calculated the contaminant load from these emissions into the marine environment in four ports, it was found that water discharged from ships’ scrubbers, whose purpose is to clean their exhaust gases, accounts for more than 90 per cent of the contaminants.“The results speak for themselves. Stricter regulation of discharge water from scrubbers is crucial to reduce the deterioration of the marine environment,” says Anna Lunde Hermansson, a doctoral student at the Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences at Chalmers.
Chalmers' overarching Ocean research areas
Marine Risk Analysis
We apply different various types of risk analysis of marine environmental hazards. We, among other things, analyze environmental risks from wrecks and do research on decision support using risk-cost-benefit analysis.
Another focus concerns so-called cumulative risk assessments, where a method to easily manage the impact of many different human pressures on one or many ecosystem components (individual species or habitats) has been used in marine spatial planning.
The risk analysis methods are used by Swedish and international authorities, among others.
Ocean monitoring
To detect and understand changes of ocean conditions we need ocean observations.
We develop methods and sensors for observations of the ocean from satellites, drones, ships and in the water. Observations are used in our research on sea ice dynamics, marine pollution monitoring, ship route optimization and for improvement of forecasts and climate models.
Marine energy
There is a strong demand for new technology that can be used to produce renewable electricity at sea from renewable energy sources such as wind, waves or ocean currents.
Chalmers develops new technologies with partners from authorities and industry that can increase the production of renewable electricity from renewable energy sources at sea. We analyze and evaluate the long-term environmental impact, opportunities and positive/negative consequences of these installations and production sources from a sustainability perspective.
Sustainable shipping
Shipping is the backbone of global trade, and it is essential to ensure that the sector develops positively in terms of all sustainability perspectives.
Chalmers works broadly with maritime issues, from ship design and autonomous operations, to environmental impact assessment and modelling of future fuels and propulsion systems. In collaboration with industry and authorities, we conduct research delivering new knowledge that is used, for example, for
Blue Bioeconomy
Blue Bioeconomy address sustainable production and processing of marine biomass for applications such as bio-based materials, fuels, food, or bioactive substances.
The field is interdisciplinary and can encompass everything from the design of recirculating aquaculture systems to the formulation and evaluation of new products based on marine ingredients. Research leading to technological development at all levels is central and has the potential to position Chalmers as a leader in this field.
Departments with Ocean-related research
Research infrastructure for Ocean
Ocean related Centres
Ida-Maja Hassellöv
- Head of Division, Maritime Environmental Science, Environmental and Energy Sciences
Ida-Maja Hassellöv
- Head of Division, Maritime Environmental Science, Environmental and Energy Sciences
Emma Flygare
- Project Leader, TME Operations Support, Technology Management and Economics
Emma Flygare
- Project Leader, TME Operations Support, Technology Management and Economics
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Chalmers University of Technology offers two-year master's programmes taught entirely in English. Each programme comprises 120 credits, equivalent in scope to 120 ECTS credits. Upon successful completion, students are awarded a Master of Science (MSc) degree. The application period is Mid-October – Mid-January.