MARITIME SECURITY FORUM · RESEARCH PROGRAMME
The Strategic Maritime Ecosystem
From concept to method, decision and action
A research programme comprising three studies, dedicated to developing an integrated approach to maritime security, ranging from concepts and methodological tools to institutional modelling and decision-making simulation.
CONCEPT → METHOD → DECISION → ACTION → EVALUATION
The Maritime Security Forum will provide a new tool for use within the open framework of the research programme. The programme allows the running of established scenarios, the introduction of other scenarios, and facilitates the implementation of the concepts used in the study within decision analysis and kinematic execution.
Another version has been created which allows selection of the Romanian–English language, automatically adapted for mobile phones – map at the top, compact menu and retractable ‘Decisions’ panel; for tablets – orientation-adapted display; map and decisions side by side where space permits. The user guide remains unchanged
About the programme
The three studies form a unified scientific journey. The first establishes the concepts, the second develops the MSCF–IMSA methodological framework, and the third examines the use of the tools within a hypothetical institutional model, applied to hybrid maritime threats in the Black Sea. The research aims to facilitate critical debate, citation and independent testing; it does not claim to have already achieved empirical validation.
Library of the three studies
Study I – The Strategic Maritime Ecosystem
Conceptual underpinnings of the maritime ecosystem and the relationships between functions, actors, infrastructure, dependencies and risks.
Authors: Aurel Popa · Sorin Learschi
Study II – Integrated Maritime Strategic Analysis. From concepts to methodology and applications in maritime security
Development of the integrated analysis methodology, including the Maritime Strategic Convergence Framework (MSCF) and the Integrated Maritime Security Architecture (IMSA).
Authors: Aurel Popa · Sorin Learschi
Study III – From maritime strategic analysis to decision-making and action. Model of a national centre for countering hybrid threats in the Black Sea
Hypothetical design of the CNCAHM; simulated USV, UAV and combined scenarios; MICDSS digital architecture and analysis of the critical decision-making path.
Authors: Aurel Popa · Sorin Learschi
Eight tools, one integrated analysis
The tools operate complementarily, not as eight successive stages.
- MSE — The maritime strategic ecosystem: functions and interdependencies outlined.
- MSCoG — The maritime strategic centre of gravity: the critical priority function.
- MSC — Maritime strategic convergence: causal convergence hypotheses.
- MSR — Maritime strategic resilience: continuity and recovery.
- MSEL — Maritime Strategic Elasticity: adaptive reconfiguration.
- MCS — Maritime Cognitive Superiority: knowledge, uncertainty and comparison.
- MSCF — Maritime Strategic Convergence Framework: comparison of options.
- IMSA — Integrated Maritime Security Architecture: capabilities, execution and control.
Applications and limitations
Study III utilises a fictional port and simulated incidents. The CNCAHM is an institutional proposal that would require specific legislation; it is not an existing authority. The MICDSS is a demonstration model, not an operational system that has been implemented. Time estimates are exercise assumptions and not evidence of actual performance.
Invitation to the scientific community
We invite researchers in maritime security, international law, strategic studies, risk governance, critical infrastructure and decision-support systems to critically examine the proposed framework, develop comparative applications and communicate verifiable results. Evaluations that refute the initial hypotheses are also welcome.
You may use the contact form
Authors and scientific responsibility
Aurel Popa and Sorin Learschi — authors of the studies and members of the FSM leadership. [Chairman and Director of the Maritime Security Forum]
Citing the studies
When citing, please use the metadata from the original publication: authors, title, year, publication, DOI or URL, and version. Do not cite this page in place of the relevant study. Full bibliographic references will be added following verification of the editorial details.
Research programme presented by the Maritime Security Forum. The methodological content reflects the contributions of the identified authors.