Climate, Oceans, Ports & the Future of the Maritime World
Immersive thematic course offered by the HKUST Summer School
OVERVIEW
Join us for an engaging 4-week summer course that dives into climate science, ocean systems, and maritime industry! Delivered through a collaboration between HKUST, the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, this course offers a unique blend of academic expertise with industry and museum-based learning.
Throughout this immersive course, you will discover how climate dynamics shape the ocean, how coastal and marine environments respond to change, and how meteorology and extreme weather events have influenced Hong Kong's development. Sessions held both on campus and at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum blend scientific foundations with historical perspectives, hands-on activities, and engagement with real instruments, archives, and gallery collections. Students will also explore the global maritime industry, including the role of the International Maritime Organization, the decarbonization of shipping, and the functions of shipowners and shipbrokers. The course provides a multidimensional understanding of how oceans and shipping connect societies, economies, and the planet.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the oceans and become a leader in maritime sustainability!
Course Details
Course code: ENVR 2002D
Course name: Tides of Change: Climate, Oceans, Ports & the Future of the Maritime World
Course dates: 13 JUL – 7 AUG 2026 (4 weeks)
No. of credits: 3
Instructors: Prof Christine Kung Wai LOH
*This thematic course is offered by the HKUST Summer School. Students who are interested should apply to the HKUST Summer School to select and enroll in this course.
Topics Covered
- Introduction to climate and ocean science that relates to maritime sector
- Introduction to modelling of climate and ocean sciences that helps the maritime industry
- Introduction to International Maritime Organization and regulation of international shipping including decarbonization
- Introduction to maritime business
- History of typhoons in Hong Kong and how extreme weather events affect the port and city
- Marine meteorological services with historical perspectives
- Meteorological instruments and meteorological observatories in East Asia
- Marine and coastal conservation
Course Dates
Assessment, Credit and Transcript
This course is letter graded with assessment criteria as follows:
- 70% Quizzes
- 30% Narrative Essay
HKUST will issue an academic transcript to the home institution upon participants’ satisfactory completion of the course. The home institution will determine the credit transfer in accordance with their credit transfer policies.
Hands-on Exploration
Experiential sessions will be held at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum throughout the course, offering students a chance to engage with real instruments, archives, and gallery collections. Participation in these experiential sessions is mandatory. HKUST will arrange transportation for these experiential sessions.
