Profiles

Vera Zhang

UTAS Home Dr Wei (Vera) Zhang

Wei (Vera) Zhang

Senior Lecturer; Course Coordinator
Centre for Maritime and Logistics Management, Australian Maritime College (AMC)

Room F97 , Swanson Building

+61 3 6324 9476 (phone)

vera.zhang@utas.edu.au

  • Research Associate, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 2015
  • Coordinator, the 1st to the 5th Maritime Public Leaders’ Programme, Singapore, 2011–2015
  • Intern, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland, 2014
  • Teaching Assistant, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 2013
  • Lecturer, Yantai University, China, 2009-2010

General Responsibilities

Teaching and Research

Career summary

Qualifications

Degree

Thesis Title

University

Country

Date Awarded

Ph.D.

Maritime clusters and their development interplay with ports

Nanyang Technological University

Singapore

2015

M.E.

Study on the Contribution of Seafarer Capital in China's Shipping Economic Growth (Transportation Planning and Management)

Dalian Maritime University

China

2009

B.E.

International Shipping Management

Dalian Maritime University

China

2007

Languages (other than English)

  • English
  • Mandarin

Memberships

Professional practice

  • Member of International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME)
  • Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (Australia)
  • Member of Australian Maritime Logistics Research (AMLR) Network, Melbourne, Australia

Committee associations

  • Committee Member of Women in Logistics and Transport Committee (WiLAT), The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (Australia), Australia
  • Member of Industry and Government Group, Women in STEM, College of Sciences and Engineering, UTAS

Administrative expertise

  • Coordinator, the 1st to the 5th Maritime Public Leaders’ Programme, Maritime and Port Authorities of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 2011–2015

Teaching

• Supply chain management, Logistics management, Maritime Economics

Teaching expertise

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Business Logistics
  • Maritime Economics

Teaching responsibility

Course coordinator for the following undergraduate programs

Coordinating and teaching JNB330 Supply Chain Management and JNB624 Supply Chain Management

Research Appointments

I was appointed to be the Facilitator of the Workshop, Student Forum of IAMU 2021 in London.

Research Invitations

  • I was invited to conduct a research visit to South China University of Technology (#151-200 in Academic Ranking of World Universities 2020) and had a joint grant application for the National Social Science Fund of China.
  • I was invited to the Editorial Board of Marine Affairs and Policy at Frontiers in Marine Science (IF 3.661) with Frontiers being the 5th most-cited publisher worldwide.
  • I was invited to the Technical Committee of ‘Water Transportation – Transportation Economics and Policy – Shipping Economics & Operations’ of World Transport Convention.
  • I was invited as a referee for the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) research projects.

View more on Dr Vera Zhang in WARP

Expertise

  • Maritime cluster
  • Shipping Management
  • Port planning, management and development
  • Logistics and supply chain management
  • Seafaring management
  • Intermodal transport
  • Air freight transport

Research Themes

  • Maritime cluster
  • Shipping Management
  • Port planning, management and development
  • Logistics and supply chain management
  • Seafaring management
  • Intermodal transport
  • Air freight transport

Collaboration

  • Collaborate with Kobe University, Japan and Liverpool John Moores University, UK on research project: Integration of ports in global hydrogen supply chains: Opportunities and challenges, 2022-2023
  • Collaborate with Liverpool John Moores University on research project: Evaluating cybersecurity in the maritime industry, 2019 - 2020
  • Collaborate with Constanta Maritime University, Romania on research project: Gender Equality and Cultural Awareness in Maritime Education and Training, 2017-2018
  • Collaborate with Visiting Researcher from Yancheng Teachers University, China on research work about port collaboration and investment, 2017 - 2018
  • Collaborate with Exchange PhD Candidate from Dalian Maritime University, China on research work about space allocation, pricing and revenue management in air freight transport, 2017 - 2018

Awards

Awarded third prize in the Palgrave McMillian Competition for best PhD theses in Maritime Economics and Logistics, held at the International Association of Maritime Economists conference in Germany in August 2016.

Current projects

Integration of ports in global hydrogen supply chains: Opportunities and challenges (2022)

Description:

With the emerging international hydrogen trade and application of hydrogen technology in maritime, ports play vital roles in developing a sustainable hydrogen economy and supply chain. This research aims to explore how ports can be integrated in the chain to co-commit to the goal of decarbonisation in 2050. It will focus on two areas: firstly, ports' involvement in logistics services provision to hydrogen as a commodity, and also to ships adopting hydrogen; secondly, ports' role as an enabler of hydrogen application in powering available assets to commit to the reduction of GHG or become a CO2 neutral port. The research objectives are:*Determine the infrastructure and facilities required for ports to facilitate hydrogen logistics both for import and export.*Evaluate risks of hydrogen logistics operation in ports.*Identify the requirements and barriers to adopting hydrogen technology in ports and terminals.*Develop a framework for logistics operation and application of hydrogen in ports including working process, handling, training, and safety.*Recommendation to the working group on the IMO International Code of Safety for Ship Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) for developing a safe hydrogen port.

Fields of Research

  • Transportation, logistics and supply chains (350999)
  • Maritime transportation and freight services (350904)
  • Transport economics (380117)
  • Other economics (389999)
  • Logistics (350903)
  • Supply chains (350909)
  • Pricing (incl. consumer value estimation) (350610)
  • Air transportation and freight services (350901)
  • Gender, policy and administration (440705)
  • Data security and protection (460403)
  • Ocean engineering (401503)
  • Corporate social responsibility (350702)
  • Rail transportation and freight services (350907)
  • Economic development policy (440703)
  • Industry economics and industrial organisation (380109)
  • Environmental assessment and monitoring (410402)
  • Business information systems (350303)
  • Gender, sexuality and education (390406)
  • Research, science and technology policy (440710)
  • Information systems (460999)
  • Multicultural, intercultural and cross-cultural studies (470212)

Research Objectives

  • International sea freight transport (excl. live animals, food products and liquefied gas) (270405)
  • Port infrastructure and management (270409)
  • Water transport (270499)
  • Workforce transition and employment (160206)
  • Multimodal transport (279902)
  • Logistics (140107)
  • Air freight (270101)
  • Cybersecurity (220405)
  • Processing of energy sources (170799)
  • Employment patterns and change (230501)
  • Wholesale and retail trade (110304)
  • Technological and organisational innovation (150306)
  • Management, resources and leadership (160204)
  • Energy storage (excl. hydrogen and batteries) (170304)
  • Service industries standards and calibrations (150404)
  • Other culture and society (139999)
  • Institutional arrangements (190206)
  • Fisheries - aquaculture (100299)
  • Wind energy (170808)
  • Environmental lifecycle assessment (190204)
  • Information systems, technologies and services (220499)

Publications

  • Maritime cluster
  • Shipping Management
  • Port planning, management and development
  • Logistics and supply chain management
  • Seafaring management
  • Intermodal transport
  • Air freight transport

Total publications

28

Journal Article

(14 outputs)
YearCitationAltmetrics
2023Batalha E, Chen S-L, Pateman H, Zhang W, 'Defining a social role for ports: managers' perspectives on whats and whys', Sustainability, 15, (3) Article 2646. ISSN 2071-1050 (2023) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.3390/su15032646 [eCite] [Details]

Co-authors: Batalha E; Chen S-L; Pateman H

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2022Li XH, Du Y, Chen Yanyu, Nguyen S, Zhang W, et al., 'Data fusion and machine learning for ship fuel efficiency modeling: Part I - voyage report data and meteorological data', Communications in Transportation Research, 2 Article 100074. ISSN 2772-4247 (2022) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1016/j.commtr.2022.100074 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 8

Co-authors: Li XH; Du Y; Chen Yanyu; Nguyen S

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2022Zhang W, Bhaskar P, 'Editorial: Sustainable and resilient maritime business (SRMB)', 7, (3) pp. 194-195. ISSN 2397-3757 (2022) [Edited Journal]

DOI: 10.1108/MABR-09-2022-089 [eCite] [Details]

Co-authors: Bhaskar P

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2021Hasan KR, Zhang W, Shi W, 'Barriers to intermodal freight diversion: a total logistics cost approach', Maritime Economics and Logistics pp. 1-18. ISSN 1479-2931 (2021) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1057/s41278-020-00182-3 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 2

Co-authors: Hasan KR; Shi W

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2020Batalha De Magalhaes E, Chen S-L, Pateman H, Zhang W, 'The meaning of corporate social performance in seaports: the managers' perspective', WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs, 19, (2) pp. 183-203. ISSN 1651-436X (2020) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1007/s13437-020-00201-3 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 1Web of Science - 1

Co-authors: Batalha De Magalhaes E; Chen S-L; Pateman H

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2020Zhang X, Zhang W, Lee PT-W, 'Importance rankings of nodes in the China Railway Express network under the Belt and Road Initiative', Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 139 pp. 134-147. ISSN 0965-8564 (2020) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2020.07.003 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 33Web of Science - 27

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2019Huo W, Chen S-L, Zhang W, Li KX, 'International port investment of Chinese port-related companies', International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 11, (5) pp. 430-454. ISSN 1756-6517 (2019) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2019.102145 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 14Web of Science - 11

Co-authors: Chen S-L

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2019Yu S, Yang Z, Zhang W, 'Differential pricing strategies of air freight transport carriers in the spot market', Journal of Air Transport Management, 75 pp. 9-15. ISSN 0969-6997 (2019) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1016/j.jairtraman.2018.10.003 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 11Web of Science - 7

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2018Huo W, Zhang W, Chen PS-L, 'Recent development of Chinese port cooperation strategies', Research in Transportation Business and Management, 26 pp. 67-75. ISSN 2210-5395 (2018) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1016/j.rtbm.2018.01.002 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 50Web of Science - 43

Co-authors: Chen PS-L

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2018Li KX, Xiao Y, Chen S-L, Zhang W, Du Y, et al., 'Dynamics and interdependencies among different shipping freight markets', Maritime Policy and Management, 45, (7) pp. 837-849. ISSN 0308-8839 (2018) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1080/03088839.2018.1488187 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 15Web of Science - 11

Co-authors: Chen S-L; Du Y; Shi W

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2018Zhang W, Chai S, Nguyen H, Jin Y, 'URANS prediction of the slamming coefficients for perforated plates during water entry', Transactions of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects Part A: International Journal of Maritime Engineering, 160, (Part A1) pp. 41-55. ISSN 1479-8751 (2018) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.3940/rina.ijme.2018.a1.447 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Web of Science - 1

Co-authors: Chai S; Nguyen H; Jin Y

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2017Dragomir C, Baylon AM, Nguyen THV, Zhang W, 'External requirements on improving ship management policies. A gender equality and cultural awareness overview on the shipping market', Scientific Bulletin of Naval Academy, 20, (2) pp. 153-157. ISSN 1454-864X (2017) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.21279/1454-864X-17-I2-029 [eCite] [Details]

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2017Zhang W, Lam JSL, 'An empirical analysis of maritime cluster evolution from the port development perspective - Cases of London and Hong Kong', Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 105 pp. 219-232. ISSN 0965-8564 (2017) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2017.05.015 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 41Web of Science - 36

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2013Zhang W, Lam JSL, 'Maritime cluster evolution based on symbiosis theory and Lotka-Volterra model', Maritime Policy and Management, 40, (2) pp. 161-176. ISSN 1464-5254 (2013) [Refereed Article]

DOI: 10.1080/03088839.2012.757375 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 69Web of Science - 56

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Chapter in Book

(5 outputs)
YearCitationAltmetrics
2020Zhang W, Lam JSL, Li KX, 'Development models and policies for maritime clusters', Geographies of Maritime Transport: Transport, Mobilities and Spatial Change, Edward Elgar Publishing, G Wilmsmeier and J Monios (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 258-274. ISBN 9781788976633 (2020) [Research Book Chapter]

DOI: 10.4337/9781788976640.00019 [eCite] [Details]

Citations: Scopus - 1

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2019Yang D, Liu Q, Jiang L, Zhang W, Chu W, 'History of the shipping business in China', Maritime Business and Economics: Asian Perspectives, Routledge, O Duru (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 99-117. ISBN 9781138282124 (2019) [Research Book Chapter]

DOI: 10.4324/9781315270869-8 [eCite] [Details]

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2019Yang D, Liu Q, Jiang L, Zhang W, Chu W, 'Shipping business strategies and national policy of China', Maritime Business and Economics: Asian Perspectives, Routledge, O Duru (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 118-137. ISBN 9781138282124 (2019) [Research Book Chapter]

DOI: 10.4324/9781315270869-9 [eCite] [Details]

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2019Yang D, Liu Q, Jiang L, Zhang W, Chu W, 'Contemporary issues and current challenges: a way ahead', Maritime Business and Economics: Asian Perspectives, Routledge, O Duru (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 138-156. ISBN 9781138282124 (2019) [Research Book Chapter]

DOI: 10.4324/9781315270869-10 [eCite] [Details]

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2018Zhang W, 'Industrial relations and international conventions', Managing human resources in the shipping industry, Routledge, J Fei (ed), USA, pp. 72-91. ISBN 9781138825390 (2018) [Research Book Chapter]

[eCite] [Details]

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Conference Publication

(9 outputs)
YearCitationAltmetrics
2020Chang C-H, Zhang W, Shi W, Park C, 'Evaluating cybersecurity in the maritime industry', Proceedings of the 10th Asian Logistics Round Table (ALRT) 2020 Conference, 19-20 November 2020, Launceston, Tasmania, pp. 978-998. (2020) [Refereed Conference Paper]

[eCite] [Details]

Co-authors: Shi W

2020Hasan KR, Zhang W, Shi W, 'Barriers to intermodal freight diversion: a total logistics cost approach', Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME) 2020, 10-13 June, Hong Kong, pp. 236. (2020) [Refereed Conference Paper]

[eCite] [Details]

Co-authors: Hasan KR; Shi W

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2020Hasan KR, Zhang W, Shi W, 'A critical review of port performance and port choice: a port logistics system perspective', Proceedings of the 10th Asian Logistics Round Table (ALRT) 2020 Conference, 19-20 November 2020, Launceston, Tasmania, pp. 819-848. (2020) [Refereed Conference Paper]

[eCite] [Details]

Co-authors: Hasan KR; Shi W

2018Yu S, Yang Z, Zhang W, 'Pricing strategies and revenue management in air freight transport in comparison with liner shipping', IAME 2018, 11-14 September 2018, Mombasa, Kenya, pp. ID 176. (2018) [Refereed Conference Paper]

[eCite] [Details]

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2017Huo W, Zhang W, Chen PS-L, 'Public-private partnerships on foreign ports investment of Chinese port-related enterprises', Proceedings of the Workshop on Global Perspectives of the Belt and Road Initiative: Maritime Studies and China's Global Investment, 4-5 December 2017, Zhoushan, China, pp. 1-24. (2017) [Non Refereed Conference Paper]

[eCite] [Details]

Co-authors: Chen PS-L

2017Su W, Zhang J, Zhang W, Fei J, 'An improved dynamic linear forecasting model for container port throughput considering periodic fluctuations', Proceedings of the International Conference of Maritime Economics (IAME) 2017, 27-30 June 2017, Kyoto, Japan, pp. 1 - 17. (2017) [Refereed Conference Paper]

[eCite] [Details]

Co-authors: Fei J

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2016Zhang W, Lam JSL, 'Comparison on competitive advantages of major world maritime clusters', Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME) 2016, 23-26 August 2016, Hamburg, Germany, pp. 1-23. (2016) [Refereed Conference Paper]

[eCite] [Details]

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2013Zhang W, Lam JSL, 'Maritime Cluster Evolution: An Empirical Analysis from Port Development Perspective', Proceedings of the IAME 2013 Conference, 3-5 July 2013, Marseille, France, pp. 1-27. (2013) [Refereed Conference Paper]

[eCite] [Details]

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2013Zhang W, Lam j, Li KX, 'Business models for development of international maritime centre', Proceedings of the IAME 2013 Conference, 3-5 July 2013, Marseille, France, pp. 1-22. (2013) [Refereed Conference Paper]

[eCite] [Details]

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Grants & Funding

  • Hydrogen supply chains
  • Cybersecurity in the maritime industry
  • Maritime Education and Training

Funding Summary

Number of grants

3

Total funding

$116,690

Projects

Integration of ports in global hydrogen supply chains: Opportunities and challenges (2022)$84,342
Description
With the emerging international hydrogen trade and application of hydrogen technology in maritime, ports play vital roles in developing a sustainable hydrogen economy and supply chain. This research aims to explore how ports can be integrated in the chain to co-commit to the goal of decarbonisation in 2050. It will focus on two areas: firstly, ports' involvement in logistics services provision to hydrogen as a commodity, and also to ships adopting hydrogen; secondly, ports' role as an enabler of hydrogen application in powering available assets to commit to the reduction of GHG or become a CO2 neutral port. The research objectives are:*Determine the infrastructure and facilities required for ports to facilitate hydrogen logistics both for import and export.*Evaluate risks of hydrogen logistics operation in ports.*Identify the requirements and barriers to adopting hydrogen technology in ports and terminals.*Develop a framework for logistics operation and application of hydrogen in ports including working process, handling, training, and safety.*Recommendation to the working group on the IMO International Code of Safety for Ship Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) for developing a safe hydrogen port.
Funding
International Association of Maritime Universities ($84,342)
Scheme
Grant
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Chen S; Enshaei H; Zhang W; Shi W; Abdussamie N; Yang Z; Miwa T; Qu Z
Year
2022
Evaluating cybersecurity in the maritime industry (2019 - 2020)$28,636
Description
According to UNCTAD (2016), around 80% of international trade is transported by sea. At the same time, increased communication in international trade is leading to cyber-attacks being considered as a crucial threat to maritime operations. A critical issue in the maritime industry is how to mitigate the negative impact from cyber-attacks and improve cybersecurity. This project aims to address cybersecurity in the maritime industry through three objectives:* Obj1: Identify risk factors influencing cybersecurity in maritime operations* Obj2: Evaluate the importance of the identified risk factors* Obj3: Provide solutions to controlling the identified risk factorsObj1 will involve a literature review, validated by interviews. Obj2 will involve questionnaires targeted a shipping companies and the other at port authorities. FMEA with Fuzzy Rules Bayesian Network (FRBN) and Evidential Reasoning (ER) will be used for analysis. Obj3 will be involve a literature review and Brain Storming.
Funding
International Association of Maritime Universities ($28,636)
Scheme
Grant
Administered By
Liverpool John Moores University
Research Team
Chang C; Shi W; Zhang W; Yang Z
Period
2019 - 2020
Gender Equality and Cultural Awareness in Maritime Education and Training (GECAMET) (2017 - 2018)$3,712
Description
The project is in the field of maritime human resource management. The main research tasks are mainly in the following three aspects one is the research on understanding human factors, considering gender equality and cultural awareness issues met in the shipping industry; the second is the research study on economic efficiency of shipping companies with mixed crews; the third is the research study on the effects of external requirements on modern Human Resource Management practices and on ship management policies of gender equality.
Funding
International Association of Maritime Universities ($3,712)
Scheme
Grant
Administered By
University of Tasmania
Research Team
Zhang W
Period
2017 - 2018

Research Supervision

  • Hospital linen supply chain
  • Shipping Optimisation
  • Total logistics cost at ports
  • Corporate social performance in ports

Current

3

Completed

3

Current

DegreeTitleCommenced
PhDMaritime Supply Chain Network- Design and Optimisation2019
PhDApplying Smart Port Technologies and Internet of Things (IoT) in Australian Ports2020
PhDApplying Smart Port Technologies and Internet of Things (IoT) in Australian Ports2021

Completed

DegreeTitleCompleted
PhDOptimising the Operation of Cross-dock Centres from Short-term and Mid-term Perspective
Candidate: Allahyar Ardakani
2022
PhDIntegrated Vegetable Production Planning under Uncertainty
Candidate: Melvin Abedini
2021
PhDThe Incorporation of Corporate Social Performance in Brazilian Ports Management
Candidate: Eduardo Batalha De Magalhaes
2021