The maritime industry plays an important role in international trade activities and the global economy. It is estimated that international shipping carries approximately 80% of global trade by volume and more than 70% by value. However, increasing maritime activities have had a negative impact on the marine environment and human health. For example, in November 2002, a tanker carrying 77000 tons of fuel oil sank in the Bay of Biscay, which polluted thousands of kilometers of Western European coasts, rivers, streams and swamps. Oil spills caused by ship accidents and other pollution associated with maritime activities have attracted considerable attention in the research community. A large number of studies on shipping pollution have been conducted across different disciplines. However, new challenges are emerging in maritime operation and management, leading to research questions related to intelligent technology and environmental protection, maritime pollution and governance, maritime accidents and environmental emergency.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is the premier public resource on scientific and technological developments that impact global security. Founded by Manhattan Project Scientists, the Bulletin's iconic "Doomsday Clock" stimulates solutions for a safer world.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is the premier public resource on scientific and technological developments that impact global security. Founded by Manhattan Project Scientists, the Bulletin's iconic "Doomsday Clock" stimulates solutions for a safer world.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is the premier public resource on scientific and technological developments that impact global security. Founded by Manhattan Project Scientists, the Bulletin's iconic "Doomsday Clock" stimulates solutions for a safer world.

"The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic marks the most significant, singular global disruption since World War II, with health, economic, political, and security implications that will ripple for years to come." -Global Trends 2040 (2021) Global Trends 2040-A More Contested World (2021), released by the US National Intelligence Council, is the latest report in its series of reports starting in 1997 about megatrends and the world's future. This report, strongly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, paints a bleak picture of the future and describes a contested, fragmented and turbulent world. It specifically discusses the four main trends that will shape tomorrow's world: - Demographics-by 2040, 1.4 billion people will be added mostly in Africa and South Asia. - Economics-increased government debt and concentrated economic power will escalate problems for the poor and middleclass. - Climate-a hotter world will increase water, food, and health insecurity. - Technology-the emergence of new technologies could both solve and cause problems for human life. Students of trends, policymakers, entrepreneurs, academics, journalists and anyone eager for a glimpse into the next decades, will find this report, with colored graphs, essential reading.