ASSESSMENT BRIEF
MODULE: MAR6042 – Maritime Supply Chain Resilience and Operations Management
LEVEL: Level 7 (Master’s)
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2024/2025
ASSESSMENT TYPE: Assessment 2 – Research Essay
WEIGHTING: 60% of module grade
WORD COUNT: 3,500 words (+/- 10%)
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, 15th March 2025, 14:00 GMT
MODULE OVERVIEW
This module examines contemporary challenges facing maritime supply chains in an era of heightened geopolitical instability, climate disruption, and technological transformation. Students will critically analyse resilience strategies within maritime logistics networks, evaluating operational responses to disruptions at major chokepoints, port infrastructure vulnerabilities, and the integration of emerging technologies in supply chain management.
The module addresses critical industry concerns including the impact of Red Sea disruptions, Panama and Suez Canal capacity constraints, decarbonisation pressures, and the evolving regulatory landscape governing international maritime operations.
ASSESSMENT TASK
You are required to produce a 3,500-word research essay that critically evaluates maritime supply chain resilience strategies in response to recent global disruptions (2023-2025).
Essay Requirements:
Your essay must:
- Analyse a specific maritime supply chain disruption that has occurred between January 2023 and December 2024. Examples include (but are not limited to):
- Red Sea security crisis and Suez Canal diversions
- Panama Canal drought-related capacity constraints
- Port congestion events in major container hubs
- Cyber-attacks on port infrastructure
- Labour disputes affecting terminal operations
- Critically evaluate at least three resilience strategies implemented by maritime stakeholders (shipping lines, port authorities, freight forwarders, or cargo owners) in response to your chosen disruption.
- Assess the effectiveness of these strategies using appropriate theoretical frameworks (e.g., Dynamic Capabilities Theory, Organisational Information Processing Theory, or Supply Chain Resilience Models).
- Examine the role of technology in enhancing supply chain visibility, predictability, and adaptive capacity during disruptions. Consider digitalization, blockchain applications, AI-driven analytics, or IoT solutions.
- Provide evidence-based recommendations for improving maritime supply chain resilience, considering economic viability, environmental sustainability, and regulatory compliance (including IMO and UK Maritime 2050 Strategy objectives).
LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSED
This assessment addresses the following module learning outcomes:
- LO2: Critically analyse the operational complexities of maritime logistics networks and their vulnerability to disruption
- LO3: Evaluate contemporary resilience strategies and risk mitigation approaches in maritime supply chain management
- LO4: Assess the impact of technological innovation and digital transformation on maritime operational efficiency
- LO5: Synthesise academic theory with industry practice to formulate evidence-based recommendations for maritime stakeholders
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Your work will be assessed against the following criteria:
| Criterion | Weighting | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Analysis & Application of Theory | 30% | Depth of analysis; effective application of academic frameworks; demonstration of critical thinking |
| Evidence & Research Quality | 25% | Use of credible, peer-reviewed sources (2019-2025); integration of industry data; quality of evidence supporting arguments |
| Understanding of Maritime Context | 20% | Demonstration of industry knowledge; awareness of regulatory environment; practical relevance of analysis |
| Recommendations & Conclusions | 15% | Quality and feasibility of recommendations; logical conclusions supported by analysis |
| Structure, Presentation & Referencing | 10% | Clear structure; professional presentation; accurate Harvard referencing; adherence to word count |
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Format:
- Microsoft Word document (.docx) or PDF
- 12-point Arial or Times New Roman font
- 1.5 line spacing
- 2.5cm margins on all sides
- Pages numbered
- Include a title page with: student ID, module code, assessment title, word count
Referencing:
- Use Harvard referencing style throughout
- Minimum of 15 academic references required
- Sources must primarily be from peer-reviewed journals, academic books, and authoritative industry publications dated 2019-2025
- Reference list does not count towards word limit
Submission Method:
- Electronic submission via the College Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
- Turnitin similarity report will be generated
- Late submissions subject to penalty as per college regulations (10% deduction per 24 hours, up to 5 days)
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
This is an individual assessment. You must complete this work independently. Plagiarism, collusion, or contract cheating will result in disciplinary action. All submissions are checked through Turnitin. You are encouraged to:
- Paraphrase and synthesise information in your own words
- Cite all sources accurately
- Seek support from the Academic Skills team if needed
SUPPORT & GUIDANCE
Office Hours: Tuesdays 13:00-15:00 and Thursdays 10:00-12:00 (or by appointment)
Academic Skills Workshops: Referencing and academic writing sessions available via VLE
Library Resources: Access to Maritime Economics & Logistics, Transportation Research, and Supply Chain Management journal databases
Sample Essays: Exemplar essays from previous years available on VLE (for structural guidance only)
FEEDBACK
Provisional grades and written feedback will be returned within 20 working days of submission deadline. Feedback will address your performance against assessment criteria and provide guidance for future assessments.
SUGGESTED READING
Core Texts:
- Notteboom, T., Pallis, A. and Rodrigue, J-P. (2022) Port Economics, Management and Policy. Routledge.
- Christopher, M. and Peck, H. (2024) Building the Resilient Supply Chain. MIT Press.
Key Journals:
- Maritime Economics & Logistics
- Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review
- International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management
- Supply Chain Management: An International Journal
Industry Reports:
- UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport (2024)
- UK Department for Transport: Maritime 2050 Strategy
- IMO Guidelines on Maritime Cyber Risk Management
Bibliography
- Alshareef, M.H. (2025) ‘Supply chain resilience in maritime logistics networks integrating blockchain technology and machine learning disruption prediction’, Journal of Information Systems Engineering and Management, 10(35s), pp. 1-18. Available at: https://doi.org/10.55267/iadt.07.14811 (Accessed: 16 October 2025).
- Li, D., Jiao, J., Zhou, G. and Wang, S. (2023) ‘Supply chain resilience from the maritime transportation perspective: A bibliometric analysis and research directions’, Ocean and Coastal Management, 243, 106755. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2023.106755 (Accessed: 16 October 2025).
- Liu, J., Wu, J. and Gong, Y. (2023) ‘Maritime supply chain resilience: From concept to practice’, Computers & Industrial Engineering, 182, 109366. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2023.109366 (Accessed: 16 October 2025).
- Rogerson, S., Svanberg, M., Altuntas Vural, C., von Wieding, S. and Woxenius, J. (2024) ‘Comparing flexibility-based measures during different disruptions: evidence from maritime supply chains’, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 54(2), pp. 163-191. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-02-2023-0075 (Accessed: 16 October 2025).
- Verschuur, J., Pant, R., Koks, E. and Hall, J. (2022) ‘A systemic risk framework to improve the resilience of port and supply-chain networks to natural hazards’, Maritime Economics & Logistics, 24(3), pp. 489-506. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41278-022-00224-w (Accessed: 16 October 2025).
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