Global Maritime Crisis and Emergency Response Management Module – MNSC7034

School of Engineering, Maritime and Mechanical Engineering
Programme: MSc Maritime Operations Management
Module Title: Global Maritime Crisis and Emergency Response Management
Module Code: MNSC7034 (2025)
Assessment 1: Strategic Case Study Report

Assessment Brief (2025 Edition)

Assessment Title:
Strategic Evaluation of Maritime Crisis Response and Emergency Preparedness

Weighting: 60%
Word Count: 3,000 – 3,500 words
Submission Deadline: Week 9 (Semester 2)
Mode of Submission: Turnitin (Canvas)

Assessment Task Description

You are required to produce an individual analytical report that evaluates the effectiveness of crisis management, emergency preparedness, and resilience strategies within the maritime and port operations sector.

The report should focus on a specific maritime crisis or disaster case study (e.g., Ever Given Suez Canal blockage, Wakashio oil spill, or port cyberattack incidents), and provide a strategic evaluation of how organizations, ports, or states managed the crisis.

Your assessment should demonstrate your ability to:

1. Apply maritime emergency management principles to real-world events.

2. Critically evaluate coordination mechanisms among flag states, port authorities, shipping companies, and international regulators.

3. Assess crisis communication, decision-making, and resource mobilization effectiveness.

4. Recommend improved frameworks for crisis resilience and preparedness aligned with IMO and ILO conventions.

5. Integrate theory with practice using peer-reviewed evidence, regulatory frameworks, and operational data.

Assessment Requirements

Your report should include:

• A short overview of the crisis case and context.

• Critical analysis of response systems (including command and control, coordination, and post-crisis recovery).

• Evaluation of regulatory, operational, and human factors affecting outcomes.

• Identification of lessons learned and development of a proposed integrated crisis response model.

• References to industry standards such as the IMO’s Guidelines on Maritime Cyber Risk Management, the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, and the ISPS Code.

Marking Criteria (Indicative Weighting)

Submission Guidelines

• Format: Word or PDF, 12pt Arial, 1.5 spacing

• Referencing: Harvard (LJMU Style)

• Include title page with name, student ID, module code, and word count

• Appendices for supporting data allowed (not counted in word limit)

Learning Outcomes Assessed

• Critically assess international frameworks for maritime crisis management.

• Evaluate emergency response systems and inter-agency coordination.

• Formulate evidence-based strategies for maritime resilience.

• Demonstrate advanced communication and decision-making analysis in complex emergencies.

Bibliography

1. Akhtar, M., & Pilbeam, C. (2021). Crisis management in maritime logistics: Lessons from global disruptions. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 64, 102480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102480

2. Goerlandt, F., & Montewka, J. (2020). Maritime transportation risk analysis: Review and future directions. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 195, 106740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2019.106740

3. Nasir, M., Olsen, T., & Leira, B. J. (2023). Emergency preparedness in maritime operations: Risk-informed planning for resilience. Ocean Engineering, 279, 117398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.117398

4. Kitada, M., & Ölçer, A. I. (2022). Human and organizational factors in maritime crisis response: Bridging safety and sustainability. Safety Science, 150, 105728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2022.105728

5. Zhang, L., Yuen, K. F., & Thai, V. V. (2019). Maritime crisis communication and organizational learning: A case-based analysis. Maritime Policy & Management, 46(7), 865–880. https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2019.1612148