About the Journal

The African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and professional practice in marine engineering, naval architecture, and allied maritime disciplines. The journal provides a rigorous platform for high-quality original research, review articles, technical papers, and case studies that address contemporary engineering challenges and emerging opportunities in marine and maritime systems. AJOMENA covers a wide range of topics, including ship and offshore structure design, construction and production techniques, propulsion and power systems, marine materials, offshore and coastal engineering, port and harbour engineering, marine safety, and operational and  
environmental performance. The journal publishes both fundamental theoretical studies and applied research that informs engineering practice, industrial decision-making, and operational optimisation. 
Recognising rapid technological transformation, AJOMENA welcomes studies in emerging and interdisciplinary areas such as automation, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, robotics, and the integration of renewable energy in marine and offshore systems. Emphasis is placed on technically rigorous research that addresses efficiency, reliability, durability, and mitigation of environmental impact in maritime operations. Serving academics, researchers, engineers, naval architects, and industry professionals, AJOMENA fosters knowledge exchange and collaboration, contributing to the design and operation of safer, more efficient, and sustainable marine systems. The journal is indexed in Google Scholar and ResearchGate and is under consideration for major databases, including DOAJ, Scopus, and Web of Science.  

Aims and Scope 

The African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) is an international, peer-reviewed journal that publishes high-quality original research, review articles, and technical papers in marine engineering, naval architecture, and related maritime sciences. The journal aims to advance theoretical understanding, engineering practice, and innovation, with particular emphasis on safe, efficient, and sustainable marine and maritime systems. 
AJOMENA covers research on the design, analysis, construction, operation, and maintenance of ships, offshore structures, and marine systems. The journal welcomes contributions that integrate fundamental science with practical engineering applications, addressing emerging technological, environmental, and regulatory challenges in the global maritime sector.  The scope of the journal includes, but is not limited to:  
1. Hydrodynamics 
  • Riverine craft resistance
  • Shallow water hydrodynamics (Regional and Niger Delta focus) 
  • Sediment transport effects on propulsion. 
2. Structures  
  • Corrosion analysis of aging offshore assets
  • Pipeline integrity in tropical waters
  • Retrofit structural analysis 
3. Propulsion & Power
  • Maintenance regimes for marine diesel engines
  • Fuel quality impact studies
  • Hybridisation of inland ferries 
4. Ocean Engineering  
  • Shallow water platform design
  • Port infrastructure resilience
  • Dredging technology
  • Coastal erosion control. 
6. Maritime Safety and Operational Reliability  
  • Safety engineering, risk assessment, and accident analysis  
  • Operational optimisation for ships, offshore platforms, and ocean systems 
  • Emergency response, resilience, and reliability studies  
7. Emerging Technologies and Interdisciplinary Applications  
  • Automation, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and robotics in marine systems. 
  • Computational modelling, simulation, and experimental methods 
  • Integration of renewable energy and sustainability-driven engineering solutions  
8. Regional and Local Content Focus  
  • Research reflecting African operational environments and maritime conditions  
  • Locally generated data and context-specific case studies. 
  • Adapted engineering solutions for shipbuilding, ports, offshore, ocean, and inland water transport  
AJOMENA encourages interdisciplinary research linking marine engineering with ocean engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, environmental science, and digital technologies. Studies addressing decarbonisation, climate resilience, and innovation in ship and offshore system design are particularly welcome.

Types of Articles Accepted

The African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) publishes peer-reviewed scholarly articles that advance marine engineering, naval architecture, and related maritime disciplines. The journal accepts the following types of manuscripts:

Article Type 
Marine & Offshore  focus

Core Sections  
Original Research  
Articles
Marine, offshore, and  naval engineering  
research 
Abstract; Introduction; Methods; Results; Discussion; Conclusions; References 
Review Articles 
State-of-the-art marine and offshore topics 
Abstract; Introduction; Review Method; Analysis; Future Directions; Conclusions, and References 

Technical Papers

 Applied marine and offshore engineering solutions
Abstract; Introduction; Technical  
Approach; Evaluation; Conclusions;  
References

Case Studies 
Real-world maritime and offshore applications
Abstract; Introduction; Case Description; Outcomes; Lessons Learned; References 

Short Communications
Emerging or preliminary marine findings
Abstract; Brief Introduction; Key Results; Conclusions; References 

Methodological Articles
Marine research tools  
and techniques
Abstract; Introduction; Method  
Development; Validation; Conclusions; References 
Perspective & State-of-the-Art Articles
Forward-looking and  
conceptual insights  
Abstract, Introduction, Critical analysis, Outlook, Conclusions, and References
 
All submissions must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration by any other journal. Manuscripts are evaluated through a peer-review process to ensure scientific quality, relevance, and compliance with ethical publishing standards.
 
Editorial Policies  
The African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) is committed to upholding the highest standards of scholarly publishing, editorial independence, and research integrity, in accordance with international best practices and the principles endorsed by the Web of Science, COPE, and related indexing bodies. 
 
Editorial Independence and Governance  
The African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) maintains full editorial independence. All editorial decisions are made by the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board based solely on scholarly merit, originality, and relevance to the journal’s scope. The publisher does not influence editorial decisions or peer-review outcomes. Editorial roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, and any conflicts of interest are transparently disclosed and managed to ensure integrity and objectivity in the editorial process.
 
Peer-Review Process  
The African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) operates a rigorous double-blind peer-review process to ensure the scientific quality, originality, and integrity of all published articles. All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial assessment to verify alignment with the journal’s scope, originality requirements, ethical standards, and basic quality criteria. Manuscripts that meet these requirements are assigned to an editor with appropriate subject expertise and are evaluated by a minimum of two independent external reviewers. 
 
Reviewers assess manuscripts based on academic merit, methodological soundness, clarity of presentation, and contribution to the fields of marine engineering and naval architecture. Authors may be required to revise their manuscripts in response to reviewer feedback. The Editor-in-Chief or designated editors make final decisions on acceptance, revision, or rejection based on reviewers’ recommendations and editorial judgment.  
 
AJOMENA is committed to an efficient and transparent review process. The initial editorial screening is typically completed within 1–2 weeks, and the full peer-review process is normally concluded within 6–8 weeks, depending on the availability of reviewers and the extent of required revisions. The peer-review process is conducted confidentially and objectively. Editors and reviewers are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, and appropriate measures are taken to ensure fairness, transparency, and integrity throughout the review procedure. The peer-review process is summarised below:
 
Authorship and Contribution  
The African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) limits authorship to individuals who have made substantial intellectual contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. All authors must approve the final manuscript and agree to its submission. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of authorship information and for communication with the journal. Changes to authorship after submission require the written consent of all authors and editorial approval. Honorary, guest, or ghost authorship is not permitted.  
 
Contributor Roles (CRediT Taxonomy)  
To ensure transparency, authors are required to specify their individual contributions using the CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy). Contributions may include, but are not limited to: conceptualisation, methodology, software, validation, formal analysis, investigation, resources, data curation, writing original draft, writing review and editing, visualisation, supervision, project administration, and funding acquisition. All declared contributions must accurately reflect each author’s role and are subject to editorial review.  
 
Conflicts of Interest  
Authors, reviewers, and editors of the African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) are required to disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence the research or its evaluation. All manuscripts must include a conflict-of-interest statement at submission, either declaring relevant relationships or confirming that none exist. Reviewers and editors with potential conflicts must recuse themselves from handling the manuscript. Transparent disclosure ensures the integrity and credibility of the scholarly record.  
 
A conflict of interest arises when an individual’s personal, financial, or professional affiliations could inappropriately influence, or appear to influence, their judgment, objectivity, or integrity. 
Types of Competing Interests:  
  • Financial: Funding, employment, stock ownership, paid consultancy, patent applications.  
  • Non-financial: Personal relationships, academic rivalry, political or religious beliefs, institutional affiliations.  
Disclosure Requirements:  
  • Authors: Must include a statement under “Competing Interests” in the manuscript. If none exist: “The authors declare no competing interests.”  
  • Reviewers: Must decline review assignments if conflicts exist.  
  • Editors: Must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts with potential conflicts.  

Research Ethics and Integrity

The African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) is committed to upholding the highest standards of research ethics and integrity in engineering and maritime sciences. All manuscripts must present original work that has not been published previously and is not under consideration elsewhere. Authors are responsible for the accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of all data, calculations, simulations, and experimental results reported.

For studies involving human participants, animals, or sensitive environmental systems, authors must provide evidence of ethical approval from the relevant institutional review board or ethics committee. Research must comply with applicable national and international regulations, standards, and engineering codes of practice.

AJOMENA does not tolerate plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, or duplicate publication. All submissions undergo screening for originality, and the journal reserves the right to investigate any suspected research misconduct following COPE and ICMJE guidelines.

Authors are expected to provide sufficient methodological and technical detail to enable reproducibility of experiments, simulations, and engineering analyses. Potential conflicts of interest, including financial, institutional, or personal relationships, must be fully disclosed in accordance with the journal’s conflict-of-interest policy.

By enforcing these standards, AJOMENA ensures the integrity, credibility, and reliability of engineering research in marine engineering, naval architecture, and related maritime disciplines.

Complaint and Appeal Process

The African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) workflow defines clear, proportionate, and time-bound procedures for handling complaints and appeals in accordance with international best practices in scholarly publishing. These processes are outlined in stages

Stage 1: Submission of Complaint
Timeline: Day 1

Complaints must be submitted in writing via the official AJOMENA contact email, complaint@nimenajournals.com, or the online submission system. Complaints must include sufficient details and, where applicable, supporting evidence.

Stage 2: Acknowledgement of Complaint 
Timeline: Within 5 working days

AJOMENA acknowledges receipt of the complaint. The acknowledgement confirms the scope and outlines the review process and timelines.

Stage 3: Initial Assessment 
Timeline: Within 10 working days of acknowledgement

The Editor-in-Chief or a delegated senior editor determines whether the complaint:
Falls within the journal’s remit. Contains sufficient information for assessment
Requires immediate action due to seriousness or ethical implications. Complaints outside the journal’s scope are closed at this stage with a written explanation.

Stage 4: Investigation 
Timeline: Completed within 20 working days
(Up to 30 working days for complex ethical cases)

Editorial or administrative complaints are handled internally. Ethical complaints are investigated in accordance with Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines. Independent Editorial Board members or external experts without conflicts of interest may be consulted. All relevant parties are allowed to respond.

Stage 5: Complaint Decision and Notification 
Timeline: Within 5 working days of the conclusion of the investigation

AJOMENA communicates the decision and its rationale in writing. Outcomes may include clarification, correction, retraction, expression of concern, policy revision, or disciplinary action.

Stage 6: Right to Appeal 
Timeline to submit appeal: Within 14 days of notification

Appeals must be submitted in writing and clearly state valid grounds, such as:
Procedural or factual error; Bias or conflict of interest; Failure to follow stated journal policies; and New and material evidence

Stage 7: Acknowledgement of Appeal 
Timeline: Within 5 working days

AJOMENA confirms receipt of the appeal and whether it meets the criteria for review.

Stage 8: Appeal Review 
Timeline: Completed within 15 working days
(Up to 20 working days for complex cases)

Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or a senior editor not involved in the original decision. Independent Editorial Board members or external experts without conflicts of interest may be consulted. Appeals focus strictly on procedural fairness and policy compliance.

Stage 9: Final Appeal Decision and Notification 
Timeline: Within 5 working days of appeal review

The final decision and reasons are communicated in writing.
Appeal decisions are final and binding.

Stage 10: Record Keeping and Oversight 
Timeline: Ongoing

AJOMENA maintains secure records of all complaints, appeals, investigations, and outcomes. Records are retained to demonstrate accountability, transparency, and compliance during audits and indexing evaluations.

Summary Timeline 

Complaint acknowledgement: within 5 working days
Complaint resolution: within 30 working days (up to 40 for complex ethical cases)
Appeal submission window: 14 days
Appeal resolution: within 25 working days

AJOMENA is committed to prompt, fair, and transparent handling of complaints and appeals, in line with COPE Core Practices, DOAJ Principles of Transparency, and Web of Science editorial evaluation criteria.

Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern  
The African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) maintains the integrity of the scholarly record by issuing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern as needed.  
  • Corrections: Authors must report minor errors within two weeks. The editors aim to publish corrections within four weeks.  
  • Retractions: For serious errors, misconduct, or ethical violations, authors must cooperate within two to four weeks, and editors target issuing retractions within six to eight weeks of the investigation.  
  • Expressions of Concern: When issues require further investigation, authors should respond within two weeks, and editors will publish an expression of concern within four weeks.  
All notices are permanently linked to the original article. Authors and editors share responsibility for transparency and accuracy, ensuring trust in published research.  
 
Diversity, Inclusion, and Academic Fairness  
The African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) promotes diversity and inclusion in all editorial and publication processes. Manuscripts are assessed solely on scholarly merit, originality, and relevance. Editors and reviewers are selected without bias, and authors are evaluated fairly regardless of nationality, gender, ethnicity, career stage, or institutional affiliation. The journal also strives to make published content accessible and clear to a broad audience, supporting transparency and equitable dissemination of research.  
 
Data Availability and Reproducibility  
Authors submitting to the African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) are encouraged to make the data, models, and materials underlying their findings publicly available whenever possible. A Data Availability Statement must indicate where and how supporting data can be accessed, or provide a justification if data cannot be shared. Authors should provide sufficient methodological and technical detail to allow replication of experiments, simulations, or analyses. Editors and reviewers may request access to data during peer review to ensure reproducibility and verification of results.  
 
Access and Archiving  
AJOMENA supports long-term digital preservation and accessibility of published content through appropriate archiving mechanisms. Published articles remain part of the permanent scholarly record and are citable without restriction. The African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA)  ensures that all published articles are permanently accessible online with assigned DOIs. The journal participates in recognised digital archiving and preservation initiatives, such as CLOCKSS, Portico, or equivalent initiatives, to safeguard the scholarly record. These measures guarantee that research remains discoverable, verifiable, and permanently available to the global scientific community. 
 
Publication Ethics  
The African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) upholds the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in scholarly publishing. The journal adheres to the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects all stakeholders, including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher, to follow these principles.  
Responsibilities of Authors  
  • Originality and Integrity: Manuscripts must be original, free from plagiarism, fabrication, or falsification. Proper citation of all sources is required.  
  • Authorship: Authorship is limited to individuals who have made substantial intellectual contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the work. All contributors must be appropriately acknowledged.  
  • Multiple Submissions: Manuscripts must not be submitted simultaneously to more than one journal.  
  • Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence their research.  
  • Data Transparency: Authors should provide access to data, models, or materials supporting their findings when requested, and comply with open data standards where applicable.  
Responsibilities of Editors  
  • Fair Evaluation: Manuscripts are evaluated solely on academic merit, originality,  quality, and relevance, without regard to race, gender, nationality, institutional affiliation, or personal beliefs. 
  • Confidentiality: Editors maintain strict confidentiality and do not disclose manuscript information beyond those directly involved in the review and publication process.  
  • Conflict of Interest: Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where potential conflicts exist.  
  • Publication Decisions: Final decisions are based on originality, scientific quality, and alignment with the journal’s scope.  
Responsibilities of Reviewers  
  • Objectivity: Reviews should be constructive, unbiased, and timely. Personal criticism of authors is inappropriate.  
  • Confidentiality: Manuscripts received for review are confidential and must not be shared.  
  • Conflict of Interest: Reviewers should decline assignments if a conflict exists. 
  • Acknowledgement of Sources: Reviewers are encouraged to identify relevant work not cited by the authors.  
Responsibilities of the Publisher:  
  • Ensures adherence to ethical standards and best practices throughout the publication process.  
  • Maintains transparency in editorial and peer-review procedures.  
  • Responds promptly to ethical concerns, allegations of misconduct, or disputes.  
Authorship Criteria  
AJOMENA follows ICMJE and COPE guidelines in defining authorship. To qualify, an individual must satisfy all of the following:  
1. Substantial contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study.  
2. Drafting or critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content.  
3. Final approval of the version to be published.  
4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring accuracy and integrity.  
Individuals who meet all four criteria should be listed as authors. Contributors who do not meet these criteria should be acknowledged.  
 
Acknowledgement of Contributions  
Acknowledgements may include:  
  • Laboratory technicians, research assistants, or administrative staff. 
  • Colleagues providing feedback or informal peer review.  
  • Assistance with data collection, analysis, or translation.  
  • Professional writers or editors assisting with manuscript preparation. 
  • Institutions providing access to research facilities or materials.  
  • Funding agencies or scholarship programs.  
Author Order and Corresponding Author Responsibilities  
  • The author order should reflect relative contributions, agreed upon by all authors before submission.  
  • Order disputes must be resolved at the institutional level before submission; the journal does not adjudicate disputes.  
The corresponding author is responsible for:  
  • Ensuring all authors meet authorship criteria.  
  • Coordinating manuscript preparation, submission, and revisions.  
  • Handling correspondence during peer review and post-publication. 
  • Disclosing conflicts of interest and funding sources accurately.  
Changes to Authorship  
  • Requests to add, remove, or reorder authors after submission must include written consent from all authors and approval from the Editor-in-Chief. 
  • Authorship cannot be altered after final acceptance without strong justification.  
  • Disputes unresolved among authors are referred to the relevant institutions following  
COPE guidelines.  
  • Author Contributions Statement
  • Authors may be required to provide a contributorship statement following the CRediT  (Contributor Roles Taxonomy), including roles such as:  
  1. Methodology
  2. Conceptualisation
  3. Data curation
  4. Formal analysis
  5. Writing – original draft
  6. Writing – review & editing
  7. Supervision
  8.  Funding acquisition
  9. Funding acquisition  
Ethical Compliance  
  • Ghost authorship (unacknowledged contributors) and honorary/guest authorship (listing individuals without significant contributions) are strictly prohibited.  
  • Misrepresentation of authorship may result in rejection, retraction, or referral to institutions. 

Revenue Sources

AJOMENA Journal operates on a transparent and sustainable publishing model to ensure the integrity, accessibility, and long-term viability of the journal. The journal’s revenue sources are clearly separated from editorial decision-making and do not influence the peer-review process, acceptance of manuscripts, or editorial policies.

The journal’s revenue may be derived from one or more of the following sources:

Article Processing Charges (APCs)

Article Processing Charges (APCs) apply only after a manuscript has successfully undergone peer review and been officially accepted for publication. These charges support the operational costs of the open-access publication, including editorial management, peer review administration, online hosting, archiving, and ongoing journal development.

Use of APCs

APCs are used to cover the following key activities:

  1. Editorial Management: Guaranteeing efficient handling of manuscripts throughout the publishing process.
  2. Peer Review Administration: Overseeing and coordinating the peer review process to ensure high academic standards.
  3. Online Hosting: Making sure the article is hosted on a secure and accessible online platform that can be accessed worldwide.
  4. Archiving: Preserving published articles through long-term storage to ensure ongoing access and protection.
  5. Journal Development: Promoting the ongoing improvement and expansion of the journal, including technological upgrades and improved publishing practices.

Waiver policies for economically disadvantaged nations

Based on the World Bank’s classification, our journal is dedicated to promoting fair access to research publishing. Therefore, we provide Article Processing Charge (APC) waivers and discounts to authors from low- and lower-middle-income economies, as defined by the World Bank.

World Bank Economic Classification and APC Waivers (effective from Feb 2028)

Income Group

World Bank Classification

APC Waiver Eligibility

Charge

Low-income economies

Countries with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of $1,045 or less (as per World Bank data)

Eligible for full waiver

$200

 

 

 

 

Lower-middle-income economies

Countries with a GNI per capita between $1,046 and $4,095

Eligible for partial waiver

$400

 

 

 

 

Upper-middle-income economies

Countries with a GNI per capita between $4,096 and $12,695

Eligible for partial waiver

$600

 

 

 

 

High-income economies

Countries with a GNI per capita of $12,696 or more

Not eligible for waiver

$1000

Source: World Bank. (2023). World Bank country and lending groups. The World Bank. https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups

 

Policy Details

·         Full Waiver: Authors from low-income economies qualify for a full waiver of the APC.

·         Partial Waiver: Authors from lower-middle-income and upper-middle-income countries are eligible for a partial waiver or discount on the APC, depending on the journal's specific policies.

·         High-income economies: Authors from high-income countries are not eligible for APC waivers, but they may qualify for discounts or other promotional offers, which are clearly explained on the journal's website.

All applicable APCs, waiver policies, and discount details are clearly listed on the journal’s website to ensure authors are fully informed of the costs before submitting their manuscripts.

APC Fee Update

Please note that the journal currently charges a flat fee of $200, which will increase to $1,000 once the waiver terms take effect in February 2028.

Source for Income Group Classification

For more details on the World Bank's classification of countries by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, please visit the official World Bank page:
World Bank - Country and Lending Groups (Income Classification).

Institutional or Organisational Support

AJOMENA Journal may receive financial or in-kind support from academic institutions, research organisations, professional bodies, or publishers to support operational costs. Such support does not affect editorial independence.

Grants and Sponsorships
The journal may receive grants or sponsorships for specific activities, such as capacity-building, journal development, or dissemination initiatives. Sponsors have no role in editorial decisions, peer review, or content selection.

Advertising (if applicable)
Any advertising accepted by the journal is clearly distinguished from editorial content. Advertisers do not influence editorial decisions or journal policies.

AJOMENA Journal does not accept revenue sources that could compromise editorial independence, ethical standards, or academic integrity. Full transparency regarding revenue sources is maintained in line with international publishing standards.

Funding Transparency  
Authors must clearly declare all sources of funding, including grant numbers and the funder’s role in study design, data collection, analysis, or publication. Undisclosed funding or competing interests may result in rejection, retraction, or notification to authors’ institutions. All authors share collective responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the published work. In cases of disputes or misconduct, AJOMENA follows COPE guidelines: COPE Guidelines

Reporting Standards and Data Transparency

AJOMENA promotes transparency, reproducibility, and integrity in marine engineering and naval architecture research. Authors must follow recognised reporting standards appropriate to their study type, including but not limited to:

·         CONSORT: controlled experiments

·         PRISMA: systematic reviews and meta-analyses

·         STROBE: observational or field studies

·         ARRIVE: experimental or model-based studies

·         Other discipline-specific standards for CFD, hydrodynamics, or structural testing

Where applicable, completed checklists should be submitted and referenced in the manuscript.

Data Availability and FAIR Principles

Authors are encouraged to make research data openly accessible following FAIR principles:

·         Findable: Assign persistent identifiers (DOI) and provide rich metadata

·         Accessible: Use standard retrieval protocols; define access conditions

·         Interoperable: Use standard formats and vocabularies for integration

·         Reusable: Provide clear provenance, documentation, and licensing

A Data Availability Statement must be included, specifying:

·         Whether data are publicly available

·         Repository or database name

·         Access restrictions or conditions

·         Persistent identifier (DOI, accession number)

If data cannot be shared due to ethical, safety, or proprietary reasons, a clear justification must be provided. Trusted repositories include Zenodo, Figshare, Dryad, or discipline-specific archives.

Materials, Code, and Protocols

·         Materials & Equipment: Sufficient detail must be provided to allow replication; access restrictions must be explained.

·         Software & Code: Custom scripts or simulation code should be shared via platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket, with links in the manuscript.

·         Protocols: Detailed methods should be described in the manuscript or deposited in open-access repositories with DOIs provided.

·         Supplementary Files: Additional datasets, figures, tables, or videos may be submitted and published online.

Data Integrity Principles

Authors are expected to follow ALCOA-plus principles, ensuring data are Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Consistent, Enduring, and Available for verification.

Image and Figure Integrity

Images (e.g., schematics, CFD outputs, experimental setups, or marine survey photographs) must accurately reflect the original data. Acceptable adjustments include uniform brightness, contrast, colour balance, cropping, and labelling.

Unacceptable practices include selective enhancement, splicing without disclosure, duplication, or misleading manipulation. Original files may be requested during peer review. Breaches may result in rejection, retraction, or institutional notification.

Preprints and Conference Proceedings

AJOMENA accepts manuscripts previously posted as preprints or presented at conferences, provided:

·         The preprint or conference work is disclosed and cited with a DOI or reference

·         The submitted manuscript contains substantial new content

·         Work has not been published in a peer-reviewed journal

Preprints and conference papers may be cited if clearly labelled.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use

·         Authors must disclose any AI use in writing, data analysis, simulations, or visualisation.

·         AI cannot be listed as an author; human authors retain full responsibility.

·         Ethical, unbiased, and reproducible use of AI is required.

·         Editors may use AI for plagiarism detection or reviewer matching, but not to replace peer review.

Press, Embargo, and Media Policy

·         Accepted articles are under embargo until publication.

·         Authors and journalists must respect embargoes; violations may delay publication.

·         Press releases must reflect the peer-reviewed version.

·         After the embargo, authors may share work on social media with proper attribution.

Confidentiality

All manuscript content, reviewer reports, and editorial correspondence are confidential. Reviewers and editors must not use unpublished information for personal gain. Breaches may lead to removal from databases, rejection/retraction, or institutional notification.

Open Access Policy 

AJOMENA Journal is a fully open-access scholarly journal committed to the unrestricted dissemination of research knowledge. In accordance with the principles of the Budapest Open Access Initiative (BOAI), the journal provides free availability of scholarly literature on the public internet, permitting any users to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of articles without financial, legal, or technical barriers, other than those inseparable from gaining access to the internet itself.

All articles published in the journal are made immediately and permanently available online without any subscription, registration, or access fees.

Immediate Open Access 

AJOMENA Journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge, promotes equity in research access, and enhances the visibility and impact of published work.

User Rights

Consistent with the Budapest Open Access Initiative (BOAI), all articles published in AJOMENA Journal may be read, downloaded, copied, distributed, printed, searched, linked to, or used for any lawful purpose without prior permission from the publisher or the authors, provided that proper attribution is given to the original work.

Copyright and Licensing 

Authors publishing in the AJOMENA Journal retain the copyright to their work. All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

The CC BY 4.0 license permits unrestricted use, distribution, adaptation, and reproduction in any medium or format, including for commercial purposes, provided that appropriate credit is given to the original author(s) and the source, a link to the license is provided, and any changes made are indicated.

No Embargo Period

AJOMENA Journal does not impose any embargo period. All published content is freely accessible immediately upon publication.

Archiving and Preservation 

AJOMENA Journal is committed to the long-term preservation and accessibility of its published content. The journal supports digital preservation through recognised archiving systems and repositories, including

  • LOCKSS, CLOCKSS
  • PKP Preservation Network (PKP PN), and
  •  institutional repositories.

All articles published in the AJOMENA Journal are assigned Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs). Article metadata are made openly available and are harvestable via the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH).

Authors are permitted to self-archive the final published version of their articles immediately after publication in institutional repositories, subject repositories, and personal or academic websites, with appropriate citation of the original published work (Green Open Access).

Indexing and Discoverability

AJOMENA seeks inclusion in:

·         DOAJ, Scopus, Web of Science (ESCI), Crossref, EBSCOhost, and relevant discipline-specific indexes

Revenue and Article Processing Charges (APCs)

·         APCs support editorial, peer review, digital preservation, and open access

·         Fees are applied only after acceptance; no submission charges

·         Waivers or discounts are available for authors from low- and middle-income countries or in cases of financial hardship

·         Revenue from advertising, sponsorships, or optional services does not influence editorial decisions

Copyright   
  • Authors retain copyright; AJOMENA holds the right of first publication  
  • Works are licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0  
  • Commercial use requires prior written permission 

Serving academics, researchers, engineers, naval architects, and industry professionals, AJOMENA fosters knowledge exchange and collaboration, contributing to the design and operation of safer, more efficient, and sustainable marine systems. The journal is indexed in Google Scholar and ResearchGate and is under consideration for major databases, including DOAJ, Scopus, and Web of Science.