The growth of maritime shipping is leading to the creation of larger vessels. However, this expansion in size brings with it several challenges, including the development of maritime infrastructure, the potential for growth in third-world countries, and the emission of greenhouse gases. In response to these challenges, this research explores the feasibility of designing an autonomous ship capable of transporting a single standardized 40 ft. container overseas using mainly passive propulsion methods. Using advanced design tools, including CAD software and CFD simulations, as well as conducting a comprehensive analysis of relevant literature, the designs for a hull and sails were developed, and an overview of the potential active control systems required for autonomous operation was provided. The study also performed an initial analysis of strength, stability, and velocity to validate the design choices. The ship proves to adhere to the basic strength and stability requirements while reaching its maximum hull velocity at certain wind speeds. The results of the study indicate that it is possible to design and manufacture a mainly passively propelled ship capable of transporting a 40 ft. standardized container overseas and rethink the logistics at scale. ... Read more

Crowdshipping systems are receiving increasing attention in both industry and academia. Different aspects of crowdshipping (summarized as platform, supply, and demand) are investigated in research. To date, the mutual influence of crowdshipping platform design and its supply side (with participating crowdshippers) has not yet been thoroughly investigated. This paper addresses this mutual influence by investigating the relations between shipping performance and intrusiveness to daily trips of commuters who voluntarily act as cycle couriers. In an experiment in The Hague, cyclists were asked to transport small parcels during a simulated daily commuting routine. The grid of commuting trips acted as a relay network to move parcels to their individual destinations. All the movements of the parcels were recorded by GPS trackers. The analysis indicates that a higher degree of complexity of rules in crowdshipping systems can lead to better system performance. Meanwhile, it also imposes higher intrusiveness, as participants need to deviate more from their routines of daily, uninterrupted trips. The case also suggests that a well-designed crowdshipping system can increase system performance without having to ask too much from crowdshippers. This study provides reference to better design such systems, and opens up directions for further research that can be used to provide thorough guidelines for the implementation of crowdshipping platforms. ... Read more