Employees
Dr. Josephine Schaumburg
Project Lead
Expertise
15+ years of international project management
Focus: Sustainability marketing
Experience
4.5 years as a project manager for an innovative environmental technology
PhD in Marketing and Negotiation Management
Accounting and budget management for amounts up to €250,000
Leadership of teams of up to 70 employees
Proficiency in 9 foreign languages
International travel and stays: 40+ countries
Successfully secured over €230,000 in grant funding
Skilled in writing: speeches, features, publications, and one book
Practical experience in shipping, tourism, culture, diplomacy, and academia
Brazilian offshore sailing license: 14,300+ nautical miles logged in the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Pacific
Character and Work Style
Versatile, open-minded, inquisitive, appreciative, and reliable. Disciplined, reflective, independent, analytical, and solution-oriented
Veith Hahner
Student Research Assistant
My name is Veith, and I come from the beautiful region of Lower Franconia.
After completing my *Abitur* (secondary school leaving certificate), I studied nautical science and spent some time at sea working as an assistant technical officer.
As a student of English studies and history, I manage the communication and marketing aspects of EcoBilge.
In this role, I draw upon my nautical background, and I am excited to help shape a sustainable alternative to conventional bilge water separators.
In my free time, I enjoy blacksmithing and love preparing elaborate slow-cooked dishes.
Raisha Rizka Hafizha Tanjung
Student Research Assistant
Profile
Master’s student in Sustainable Maritime Engineering at the University of Rostock, originally from
Indonesia, with a B.Eng. background in Marine Engineering. Her academic and practical experience
focuses on ship systems, piping and fluid systems, ballast water treatment, LNG regasification,
power plant optimization, operational data analysis, shipyard-related processes, and structured
technical documentation. She is strongly interested in sustainable maritime technology.
EcoBilge Relevance and Role
• Background in marine engineering, ship fluid systems, and sustainable maritime technology.
• Experienced in Excel and MATLAB for engineering calculations, performance analysis,
calculation sheets, and technical reporting.
• Supports EcoBilge parameter testing, testing-related documentation, technical assumptions,
optimization approaches, and performance evaluation.
Personal Interests
Enjoys going to the gym, travelling, discovering local food, and cooking Asian dishes. Favourite
food: Kuay Tiao Rua, also known as Thai boat noodles.
Muhammad Awais Naeem
Student Research Assistant
My name is Muhammad Awais Naeem, and I am a naval architect from Pakistan. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in "Sustainable Maritime Engineering" at the University of Rostock. When I am not focused on my studies, I enjoy traveling, playing cricket or table tennis, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen!
As part of the "EcoBilge" research project, I am focusing on evaluating existing technologies for combating oil spills, as well as their limitations. The core concept of EcoBilge is to supplement—rather than replace—existing methods by treating collected oily water on-site and immediately discharging the cleaned water back into the sea. This approach could be integrated into vessels that already utilize oil booms and skimmers, thereby eliminating the need to transport large volumes of oily water to shore for treatment. By examining mechanical, chemical, and biological response methods, the project aims to determine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of this on-site treatment concept—with a particular focus on the Baltic Sea region.
Hisham Zaheer
Student Research Assistant
My name is Hisham Zaheer and I am a Naval Architect. Currently, I am pursuing my Master's degree in Sustainable Maritime Engineering at the University of Rostock. When I am not engaged in academic activities, I love travelling and sports.
As part of the EcoBilge Research Project, my focus is on investigating the practical application and integration of EcoBilge technology within the offshore wind energy sector, with a specific emphasis on vessels below 400 GT. The core concept of EcoBilge is to offer an on-site solution for treating oily water directly at sea, releasing clean water immediately back into the marine environment. My research explores how this sustainable treatment concept can be tailored to support the unique operational demands of these smaller service and support vessels operating within offshore wind farms. By evaluating mechanical and operational factors, the goal is to assess how implementing this technology can minimize environmental risks and enhance compliance for smaller fleets, with a special focus on the Baltic Sea region.
Justine Michel
Student Research Assistent Law
My name is Justine Michel, I am 25 years old, and I come from the island town of Malchow in the Mecklenburg Lake District. I completed my *Abitur* (secondary school leaving certificate) in Rostock in 2019, followed by a Voluntary Ecological Year at the University of Rostock. Subsequently, I began my university studies, earning a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in "Good Governance – Economy, Society, Law" from the University of Rostock in 2025. I am currently writing my master’s thesis as part of the follow-up master’s program, "Good Governance – Legal Design." My interest in various fields of law serves as a valuable asset to this project; I aim to gain a broad overview of the existing regulations applicable to the project, while identifying areas that may require further action or reform. My master’s thesis focuses on the regulation of bilge water de-oiling—systematizing and evaluating the relevant legal frameworks at the international, European, and national levels. Through this work, I am developing a detailed overview of current regulations concerning bilge water de-oiling, as well as potential legal shortcomings in this area. In my free time, I enjoy attending festivals and have a great passion for music.
Rike Thomsen
Research Water Pollution
I am Rike Thomsen, born and raised in Berlin. Afterward, I spent a year in New Zealand before beginning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in Rostock. This was followed by a master’s degree, and shortly thereafter, I ended up here in this project. Throughout my life, I have consistently enjoyed various types of needlework and crafts—crocheting, knitting, sewing, macramé, and so on. At times, I have also really enjoyed partner dancing and board games—anything that brings people together. Within the Ecobilge project, my role is relatively focused: I provide support through research on bilge water and related contaminants, the development of an experimental design, and the execution of field sampling.
Tejasvee Modh
Student Research Assistant
Tejasvee Modh, a Marine Engineer currently pursuing an M.Sc. in Sustainable Maritime Engineering at Universität Rostock.Indore, India.Graduate in B.Tech Marine Engineering from Indian Maritime University, followed by 5+ years of experience at sea as Fourth and Third Engineer Officer aboard bulk carriers and container vessels, sailing with CMA CGM, Pacific Basin Shipping, and Executive Ship Management.Direct operational experience with engine room and bilge water systems at sea, paired with an academic focus on sustainable maritime technology, gives me a practical, sailor's-eye view of the problem this project is working on.Student Research Assistant at the Chair of Piston Engines and Internal Combustion Engines (LKV), conducting fluid testing.Watching films and anime; also a soft spot for Traditional Indian food.
Saishree Mumbai
Voluntary Student Research Assistant
My name is Saishree Kiran Koli, and I am currently pursuing an M.Sc. in Sustainable Maritime Engineering at the University of Rostock. I come from Mora Koliwada, a coastal fishing village near Mumbai, India.
I hold a B.Tech. in Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering from the Indian Maritime University, Visakhapatnam. I previously worked as a Naval Design Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), focusing on hydrostatic and hydrodynamic calculations and vessel modelling. I also gained practical shipbuilding and structural design experience at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in Kolkata.
My background combines naval architecture with maritime environmental protection. My academic projects on oil tanker design and an amphibious hull-cleaning robot strengthened my knowledge of bilge systems, fluid contaminants, MARPOL regulations and the environmental impacts of biofouling. My shipyard experience also supports my fieldwork and collaboration with port facilities.
As a Student Research Assistant on the EcoBilge project, I contribute to concept development and analysis, research oil and detergent pollution in harbours, and conduct water sampling in marinas across Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and India.
Hobbies: Swimming, sailing, boating, exploring new places and studying the design of historic and vintage ships.
Favourite dish: Traditional Konkani-style coastal fish curry, a speciality from my hometown that reflects my connection to the sea.