The Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport (herein after referred UL) is an integral part of the University of Ljubljana. The university employs over 2.150 academic staff and has over 27.000 students. UL is an education and training institution that is also engaged in scientific and research work predominantly in the field of maritime studies and transport. Founded in 1960 in Piran, UL began as a Junior Maritime College including nautical, marine engineering and business departments. The latter was transformed in 1977/78 into the autonomous programme referred to as Traffic Technology. The Faculty has gained national and international standing in research and research-led undergraduate teaching in the field of maritime and transport studies, graduate studies of specialists, masters and doctors of traffic sciences. Traffic is undergoing great technical, technological and organisational changes. The concept of transport and the processes of traffic technologies of individual traffic branches are perpetually undergoing modernisation. Transport logistics, with its structure and functions, embraces virtually all economic and social activities. The development of science in the field of operational research and information technology provides just-in-time supply and enables traffic services to enjoy a better competitive position. Ships are more and more automated and specialised. Ports, which are becoming the most important logistics link in the transport chain, have become adapted to the changes of the sea transport market. Slovenia needs highly qualified experts in order to take advantage of its favourable littoral and geo-traffic position. These experts should master the theory of systems, the theory of management, the problems of exploitation of traffic infrastructure and transport means, technology and organisation of traffic, transport logistics, the economy and safety of traffic, traffic ecology, etc.. The university traffic technology study programme is currently undergoing the process of becoming internationally recognised by the FEANI. Accordingly, the graduates will be granted the degree EUROING. The maritime programmes are verified by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The Faculty is an active member of the Slovenian Waterborne Technologic Platform, where it is collaborating on several projects’ initiatives.

UL will represent the scientific and research community in the Slovenia dealing with maritime research and studies, focusing in specific on shipbuilding concerns. The information gathering in the first project phase (in specific WP1) concerning the research community will be provided by UL. Furthermore, the Faculty will take care of the technology offer gathering for the work to be done in the Liaison Office established by TIA, and will be strongly involved in the development of the Shared Trans-national Research Agenda and the development of the joint Action Plan, representing the research interests of the country’s scientific community.