Andrew Rawson

PhD studentship in Intelligent Big Data Analytics for Safer Ship Navigation in the Arctic Environment

Hi, I'm Andrew Rawson and I am studying within the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute at the University of Southampton.

I graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2011 with a First Class Geography degree.

I completed the RYA’s Yachtmaster Offshore program.

I have worked as a Senior Consultant at Marico Marine in Southampton, a specialist maritime risk consultancy. Focused on the use of risk analysis, vessel traffic modelling and navigation risk assessment across a multitude of projects for developers, ports and governments.

As the maritime industry becomes more data driven and the warming Arctic becomes increasingly navigable, the use of intelligent big data analytics to identify safe and efficient routes can help minimise the risk to life and the environment.

The Arctic remains one of the most inhospitable places on earth for both man and machine. However, for hundreds of years, sea routes have been sought to reduce the transit time of vessels and therefore achieve an economic advantage. Navigation of these routes pose a unique set of challenges including the presence of ice, extended hours of darkness and inaccessibility for emergency response.

To meet these challenges, my research focuses on applying intelligent big data analytics to promote safe and efficient navigation in the Arctic. Through the application of machine learning and risk analysis, optimised vessel routes will be developed which maximise the safety of navigation whilst minimising fuel consumption. Pre-processing and fusion of a multitude of datasets will be undertaking including data form the Automatic Identification System, satellite ice observations, historical incidents and hydrographic surveys through the use of big data geospatial processing algorithms.

The output of this research will both allow for the optimal planning of Arctic navigation and improve our understanding of how future Arctic shipping routes may change due to the effects of climate change. This research will be conducted in conjunction with the Horizon 2020 SEDNA project.

My supervision team is spread across both Electronics and Computer Science and the Business school and I am guided by Dr Zoheir Sabeur (IT Innovation Centre), Dr Long Tran-Thahn (Agents, Interactions and Complexity) and Dr Mario Brito (Centre for Risk Research).

I graduated with a First Class degree in Geography from the University of Nottingham in 2010 before joining a maritime risk consultancy where I specialised in risk analysis, vessel traffic modelling and navigation risk assessment.