Research

Research at the Antwerp Maritime Academy is based on interdisciplinary questions and approaches. The AMA exploits this interdisciplinary character: in addition to the obvious maritime practical experience in national and international networks, AMA actively seeks out such networks. This research can be practice-oriented or applied in nature. Practice-oriented research arises from concrete questions within educational and/or professional practice and strives for multidisciplinary solutions that are applicable/usable within that same practice. Applied research starts from fundamental scientific knowledge and uses this knowledge in real examples and situations.

Practice-oriented research is fully-fledged research that meets all academic traditions and requirements, but is closely related to practical questions from the field. In both cases, the researcher relies on academic thinking and working methods: a correct experimental setup, a statistical approach to data, design engineering, objective surveying and starting from a clear research question formulated according to the SMART principle. For the AMA, however, academisation is not a process in which we abandon this practical approach, but one in which we strengthen our research methodological approach and deepen the insights we have gained. In terms of content, AMA's research currently focuses mainly on four areas of expertise: (1) the fight against corrosion and fouling, (2) sustainable maritime transport, (3) maritime health and (4) maritime cybersecurity. These four areas of expertise are closely intertwined with the two existing training programmes and are continuously reinforced by research conducted on the basis of concrete questions and needs from practice. The research is also carried out in collaboration with business partners. Examples include research with companies on smart maintenance of engines, detection of corrosion in maritime industrial installations, the use of alternative carbon-neutral fuel types for inland shipping, etc.