Lara Pomaska joined the Kühne Logistics University as a PhD candidate under the primary supervision of Prof. Dr. Gordon Wilmsmeier in November 2022. Her research focuses on the decarbonization of the maritime industry. Before joining the PhD program, she worked as a research fellow at the Hapag-Lloyd Center for Shipping and Global Logistics (CSGL) at KLU, where she was involved in the Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP) project.
Lara received her M.Sc. in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management from KLU in 2020. In her thesis, she built a capital budgeting model to assess the economic feasibility of the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel in shipping. In 2018, Lara completed her B.A. in Business Administration with a specialization in supply chain management and logistics at Flensburg University of Applied Sciences. During her studies, she spent semesters abroad in Carlow, Ireland at the Institute of Technology and in Gothenburg, Sweden at Chalmers University of Technology.
In addition to her studies, Lara worked at Hapag-Lloyd and gained multiple practical experiences in the field of logistics and supply chain management during internships in the shipping and automotive industry.
Education
| Since 2022 | PhD Candidate at Kühne Logistics University, Hamburg, Germany |
| 2018 - 2020 | Master of Science in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Kühne Logistics University, Hamburg, Germany |
| 2020 | Semester abroad during Master's program, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden |
| 2015 - 2018 | Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Specialization in Procurement and Logistics, University of Applied Sciences, Flensburg, Germany |
| 2017 | Semester abroad during Bachelor's program, Institute of Technology Carlow, Carlow, Ireland |
Professional Experience
| Since 2022 | Research Fellow, Hapag-Lloyd Center for Shipping an Global Logistics, Kühne Logistics University, Hamburg, Germany |
| 2020 - 2022 | Junior Researcher, Kühne Logistics University, Hamburg, Germany |
| 2020 | Working Student in Global Fuel Purchasing, Hapag-Lloyd AG, Hamburg, Germany |
| 2019 | Purchasing and Supply Intern, Hapag-Lloyd AG, Hamburg, Germany |
| 2018 | Supply Chain Intern, MAN Truck & Bus AG, Munich, Germany |
Publications
(2024): A new conception of port governance under climate change, Journal of Transport Geography, 120 (10): 1-13.
Abstract: The port governance literature has charted the trend towards devolution of port services to the private sector, also showing how the increasing influence of external private actors such as shipping lines and global terminal operators affects decisions on expansion and service provision, producing a more multifaceted and polycentric kind of port governance. In this paper we extend these notions to cover both mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. A growing body of literature on green ports discusses the various actions that can be taken to limit emissions in the port area, while another body of literature is growing on climate change adaptation measures, including the uncertain risks and rewards. Both mitigation and adaptation actions are partly linked to the commercial decisions of port actors but also partly driven by external actors (e.g. society, government, regulators). The analysis produces an updated conceptualisation of port governance under climate change, based on four stakeholder groups (public policy, commercial actors, indirect actors and international shipping governance) and produces three key conclusions. First, concession contracts and commercial relationships will need to change, with a more integrated vision and approach to sharing future (sometimes undefined or uncosted) costs and benefits between the port authority and commercial partners. Second, diversification of the port business model will see a larger focus on energy production and provision, requiring the more explicit inclusion of external stakeholders, particularly energy companies, in port governance. Third, port governance will see a return to prominence of the public dimension, both in terms of national decarbonisation plans and particularly regarding adaptation to an uncertain and turbulent future. As ports are both commercial activities and national infrastructure, these different identities will need to be united in a joint vision.
(2022): Bridging the Maritime-Hydrogen Cost-Gap: Real options analysis of policy alternatives, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 107: 103283.
Abstract: Alternative, and especially renewable, marine fuels are needed to reduce the environmental and climate impacts of the shipping sector. This paper investigates the business case for hydrogen as an alternative fuel in a new-built vessel utilizing fuel cells and liquefied hydrogen. A real option approach is used to model the optimal time and costs for investment, as well as the value of deferring an investment as a result of uncertainty. This model is then used to assess the impact of a carbon tax on a ship owner’s investment decision. A low carbon tax results in ship owners deferring investments, which then slows the uptake of the technology. We recommend that policymakers set a high carbon tax at an early stage in order to help hydrogen compete with fossil fuels. A clear and timely policy design promotes further investments and accelerates the uptake of new technologies that can fulfill decarbonization targets.