The maritime transport industry plays a key role in global trade and is also a significant emitter of greenhouse gases. Although literature on maritime decarbonization, regulations, technological change, and fragmented supply chains exists, it does not yet offer a tool that fully integrates these interrelated issues and has been empirically tested. The present study proposes and tests a multidimensional maritime transport transformation scale that covers supply chain disruptions, sustainability challenges, and carbon emission reduction initiatives. Forty-eight items across four constructs were developed from a literature review and piloted with 55 maritime and supply chain professionals. The results revealed that the instrument has high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.963), a sampling adequacy value of 0.608, and a theoretically derived four-factor model that explains 53.13% of the total variance. The scale shows preliminary reliability and structural validity, offering a robust tool for future maritime sustainability research and evidence-based decision-making.
This paper presents a thematic synthesis of panel discussions held during Malaysia Maritime Week 2025, a national platform convened to address the evolving challenges in maritime transformation. Using a thematic analysis approach, the study discovered four interdependent themes namely People, Technology, Policy and Regulation, and Collaboration and Ecosystem, each explored through multiple subthemes that reflect both empirical insights and normative direction. The findings reveal a sector in transition, digitalization, decarbonization, and workforce realignment, while striving to embed psychological safety, inclusive training, equitable compliance, and regional cooperation are at the heart of maritime governance. This paper contributes to the evidence base for policy reform, strategic innovation, and shared talent development, offering a roadmap for maritime stakeholders to co-author a resilient and sustainable future.
This paper presents an improved System Dynamics (SD) model to assess the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction measures between 2023 and 2050 at the container terminal of the Port of Koper. The new model builds on previous models and includes several subsystems that take into account many decarbonisation instruments such as the electrification of facilities, the introduction of alternative fuels (ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, biofuels) and onshore power supply (OPS). The simulation results show that emissions can be reduced by 88.6% by 2050, mainly through harbour equipment. The model follows the dynamics of the S-curve in the introduction and estimation of throughput growth in reality. Decarbonisation has not been fully completed but can be advanced with future technologies such as carbon capture for additional emission reductions. The study proves that dynamic modelling is efficient in long-term sustainability planning and provides a scalable model that can be used by other ports wishing to meet the IMO 2050 targets.
The article addresses the issues of energy security and the transition toward a low-emission economy in the context of port infrastructure development along the Polish Baltic coast. The central focus of the study is the design concept for a diesel fuel transshipment terminal in a small port on the southern Baltic coast, presented as an application-oriented case study. The first part of the article outlines the significance of liquid fuel pipeline transport and the related safety and environmental protection requirements. This is followed by a review of selected terminals operating on the Polish coast, highlighting technical and organizational solutions that may serve as reference points for new investments. The core of the paper is the terminal design, which includes a location analysis, geological and hydrographic conditions, and the structural solutions for the transshipment platform, loading arms, fender systems, and ship-handling support equipment. The discussion emphasizes the importance of the investment for Poland’s energy policy as well as the potential for flexible adaptation of the infrastructure to alternative fuels (biofuels, methanol) in line with the Green Deal perspective. The study combines transport, engineering, and economic perspectives, and the results may serve as a starting point for further design analyses and investment documentation related to the development of fuel terminal infrastructure in Poland.
Ocean shipping must reduce air emissions and, at the same time, ensure logistical effectiveness. There is a growing interest in small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) as power source for merchant ships. Consequently, the maritime sector faces challenges in terms of regulations, education, and training for possible future merchant nuclear-powered ships (MNS). This study takes into examination the requisite qualifications, education and training for engineer officers on MNS. Since literature on this subject is scarce, an integrative literature review approach is adopted to assess the qualification requirements and recommendations proposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as well as the US and UK naval nuclear propulsion programs. A conceptual framework is proposed for an educational path, combining the maritime industry’s organisation, bodies and structure with the European Nuclear Education Network certification of the European Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering. This framework aims to establish the basis for further projects concerning engineer officer competence, training and education. The research questions are: (1) What is a feasible educational framework for MNS engineer officers? (2) How should an educational framework for MNS engineer officers be structured and accomplished?
This study examines the phenomenon of uncertainty in the reefer container business within the VUCA era (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity), focusing on a domestic route case study of PT.XXX. The background of this research lies in the demand for fresh product delivery, which faces uncertainties in market conditions. The objective of the study is to identify the factors of uncertainty, classify their impacts based on relevant divisions, and provide mitigation solutions. The research methodology employed is a qualitative case study, involving observations, questionnaires, and documentation. The findings reveal that uncertainties stem from government policies, delays in vessel schedules, and fluctuations in operational costs such as fuel prices and freight tariffs. The study concludes that cross-division collaboration and improved mitigation strategies are crucial to maintaining business stability. It is recommended to enhance employee training, strengthen technology integration, and establish strategic partnerships with logistics partners to minimize the impact of uncertainties.
Recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic revealed intrinsic vulnerabilities embedded within the globalized system of maritime transportation and the economy as a whole. To counteract similar disruptions in the future, certain actions must be undertaken by industry players, such as maritime administrations, shippers, and seaports. The current study is focused on the latter. It utilizes an expert elicitation through Computer Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) intending to identify how aware the seaport administrators and managers are of the dangers of today’s globalized economy and how they intend to counteract these. Herein study focuses on the perspective of worldwide seaports' representatives by taking into account a wide set of potential challenges. The considered threats are not only limited to environment-related ones but also include safety and security matters as well as the introduction of disruptive technologies utilized in the maritime transportation of the new era.
Maritime transport underpins global trade, and project logistics (PL) covers the movement of high-value, out-of-gauge cargoes requiring specialised handling and heavy-lift capabilities. The research niche of this article is the absence of a bibliometric mapping of maritime PL, as most maritime logistics studies focus on container and bulk shipping. The purpose of the research was to map the evolution, contributors and dominant themes of maritime PL research. We hypothesised that publication activity has accelerated after 2019 and that the literature is concentrated around a limited number of countries/authors and optimisation-oriented (MCDM) approaches. A bibliometric analysis was performed on Web of Science (WoS) records published between 1945 and 2025. After keyword filtering and PRISMA 2020 screening, 26 documents were retained and analysed in VOSviewer 1.6.20 using performance indicators (TPC, TCC, CPP) and network mapping (co-authorship, co-citation and keyword co-occurrence). The results show a clear increase in publications after 2019; proceeding papers slightly outnumber journal articles; China, Turkey, India and Singapore are the most productive countries, with India and Turkey occupying central positions in the co-authorship network. Keyword analysis indicates that PL research is largely framed through MCDM and optimisation methods. The hypotheses were supported, and the study provides the first quantitative baseline of the field and outlines directions for future empirical research, including potential defence-related applications.
The article examines the threats to cargo transportation in the Black Sea and the directions of their impact on the maritime transport industry both regionally and globally. The assessment of the military component of these threats is important for all aspects of the transport fleet, primarily because the significance of military threats is greater than that of other risks to maritime transport. In particular, it is indicated that the consequences of threats to the merchant fleet due to hostilities in the Black Sea are not only sunken and damaged vessels, people lost, but also dynamic changes in freight rates and even an increase in the average service life of merchant vessels of the warring parties. This increases the risks of accidents and has already led to significant threats to marine biocenosis, which contradicts the principles of green shipping. The above principles, as proven by research, are also contradicted by the trend of reducing the development of alternative fuel infrastructure, which leads to a reduction in the possibilities of its further use by merchant fleet vessels. The importance of introducing fragmented logistics schemes, primarily expanding the use of the ro-ro network, for reducing the impact of threats is noted. The study confirms that the threat of sea pollution with a significant uncertain component is also represented by the systematic illegal transshipment of oil products in the open sea to avoid sanctions. At the same time, the study indicates that the significant uncertainty of wartime threats complicates the relevant assessment and forecasting of the parameters of all aspects of maritime transportation. It is also noted that the impact of the uncertainty of military risks limits the use of recursive vector autoregression for forecasting the freight rate. Therefore, a mathematical model is proposed to separate uncertainty from the impact of other factors that are considered as "colored" noise. It is also proposed to use an interval approach with an uneven distribution of the resulting function over the area of existence with its subsequent refinement by parameter estimation methods with other metrics. The mathematical model allows taking into account the different orientations of the impact vectors of uncertain factors, which increases the relevance of the forecast. The increasing relevance of maritime transport forecasts will contribute to risk prevention measures and resource provision to mitigate their consequences. Taking into account the uncertain component of risks is important not only in wartime, since this component is also present in maritime transport risks in peacetime. This will ensure the appropriate level of sustainability of cargo transportation by sea, reasonably shape the directions for the introduction of digital, green technologies, methods for optimizing logistics routes, etc.
When considering the security of maritime transport in terms of terrorist threats, it should be pointed out that, in accordance with Polish legislation and the functioning anti-terrorist system of the Republic of Poland, entities of the Ministries of Internal Affairs and National Defence are designated to respond to terrorist threats in Polish maritime areas and ports.. Despite the fact that to date there have been no incidents of a terrorist nature against vessels that would pose a threat to Polish maritime areas, including to maritime transport and energy infrastructure, it is unjustified to assume that such events are unlikely. Therefore, in order to prepare for emergency response to such events cyclical exercises are conducted, which combine elements of the military and non-military system, after which conclusions are worked out for implementation in improving the existing system solutions.
The aim of this article is to identify and assess environmental, organizational, and technical risks associated with the maritime transport of live animals, with a particular emphasis on their impact on the quality of transport processes, animal welfare, and the occupational health and safety of ship crews. Despite the existence of European Union regulations such as Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/372, which establish minimum standards for space, ventilation, access to water, contingency planning, and port infrastructure, significant shortcomings in the organization and quality of transport persist in practice. Inadequate onboard infrastructure, failures of ventilation, feeding and watering systems, and overcrowding lead to stress, dehydration, and disease in animals, which increase the risk of injuries. At the same time, crew members are exposed to harmful factors such as toxic gases, animal waste, slippery surfaces, and extreme temperatures. Poorly organized loading and unloading procedures further escalate the risk of accidents and negatively affect the quality of service provided during transport. This article proposes quality-oriented management actions to improve transport safety and animal welfare, such as the implementation of advanced monitoring technologies, mandatory presence of animal welfare specialists on board, regular technical inspections of vessels, and systematic training for crew members.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the global economy and disrupted daily life across many regions of the world. Restrictions imposed at the time, such as the closure of national borders and restrictions on mobility, led to unprecedented challenges for the transportation sector and related tourism services compared with any prior crisis. This disruption also affected maritime passenger transport in Poland. This article aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on passenger traffic in Polish seaports and to develop mathematical models that could support management in the event of future epidemic threats. Three different models are proposed, which showed that the epidemic crisis resulted in a significant decline in passenger traffic at Polish seaports. The most accurate proved to be the SARIMA model. The Holt-Winters model also demonstrated high fitting and predictive performance. In turn, the STL model offered intriguing insights with its time series decomposition, enabling a detailed analysis of individual components. A comparative analysis of the proposed models confirms their usefulness in forecasting passenger traffic in seaports in the face of disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. These models can be an effective decision-support tool, helping to reduce the negative effects of future epidemic threats.
This article concerns the development of autonomous ship technology in maritime navigation, which entails safety and risk management challenges. This study aims to compare the risk analyses of two levels of autonomy of seagoing ships – A3-B1 (ships with limited crew) and A2-B0 (ships fully unmanned) – based on the results of a project named SAFEMASS developed by DNV GL company for the European Maritime Safety Agency. In addition, identifying new, emerging risks relating to the functioning of MASS is another research goal. The article uses hazard identification methods (HAZID) and fault tree analysis (FTA). In the case of A3-B1 vessels, the main threats result from reduced situational awareness of operators and dependence on automatic systems. In the A2-B0 model, the most significant risks are communication system failures and a lack of physical supervision of processes. The research results indicate the need to implement additional risk control measures, such as system optimization and improvement of human-machine interfaces (HMI). It is suggested that autonomous and low-emission technologies will develop conceptually in the coming years. Still, the widespread implementation of these technologies will take a long time due to the complexity of the processes and high operating costs. This article emphasizes that implementing autonomous technologies is a promising path for the sustainable development of maritime transport. Still, further research is required, investment in infrastructure is needed, and legal regulations must be adjusted.
Purpose: The aim of the study was to look at the challenges posed by the construction of a new container terminal in Świnoujście - both from a technical, operational, environmental and socio-economic perspective. The authors focused on how shipping infrastructure can be designed in a modern, safe and sustainable way. A comparison of several methods for determining the width of the fairway was made to assess which one would work best. This will enable an understanding of how to make better decisions when planning such large investments. Design/methodology/approach: For the study, fairway width calculations were made using three methods - Canadian, PIANC and USACE - and the resulting data were collated to better understand the discrepancies. The study also made references to current research about risk in ports and the need for responsible and sustainable investment. Findings: The results of the analysis suggest that the discrepancies between the results of the different methods highlight the importance of an informed choice of tools and design components. It was emphasised that a flexible approach to design is needed to take into account changing climatic, technical and social conditions. The importance of implementing infrastructure monitoring systems was emphasised. Research limitations/implications: The scope of the analysis was partly limited by the availability of up-to-date technical and environmental data, which necessitated the use of simplifications that could affect the precision of the results. In the future, it would be worth extending the study to include computer simulations based on real hydrodynamic and meteorological data and comparing the results with similar investments in other ports to better adapt solutions to local conditions. Practical implications: The results presented can be a valuable resource for practitioners - from port managers to planning and investment professionals. They highlight the importance of a holistic approach - combining technical issues with analysis of risk, environment and social considerations. This can help avoid costly design mistakes and better prepare for future operational challenges. Social implications: The study highlights the impact of such investments on local communities and the environment. They can contribute to more open community dialogue and better policy decisions. Sustainable port planning affects not only the economy, but also the quality of life of residents and the state of the environment. Originality/value: The publication has a practical aspect, being based on a real case study of the planned construction of a container terminal in Świnoujscie. It compares fairway design methods in relation to local conditions. It provides a tool for those involved in port infrastructure development.
The maritime transport industry is one of the most critical tradeways worldwide and has traditionally been a male stronghold, even as more and more women are admitted. Just as in many countries, including Bulgaria, the share of women in the maritime industry is always considerably less than that of men, exacerbated by the absence of any institutional framework specifically oriented toward gender issues in this sector. The article discusses the reasons for the need to create a public agency in Bulgaria that is concerned with monitoring women’s participation in the maritime transport sector. The study examines the challenges that women face in this field, such as discrimination, prejudices, and lack of institutional support. The study combines a holistic approach toward national bodies for gender equality in the maritime sector with empirical and qualitative analyses of the responses of 136 women actively engaged in water-based transportation in Bulgaria, including professionals and students from the maritime departments at the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. The findings from this study provide valuable insights into the potential role of such a national body in addressing the outlined issues and enhancing proposals for improving women’s representation, employment, and career prospects in the maritime transport sector.
In the context of international trade logistics, Finland is an island. Due to the significant reduction in trade with Russia following the war in Ukraine, maritime transport has become the predominant mode of transportation for exports and imports, accounting for approximately 95%. The Port of Hamina-Kotka, located in south-eastern Finland, is the primary freight port in the region and plays a crucial role in the maritime logistics of the heavy industry in eastern Finland. The consequences of climate change are being felt acutely in the area, especially during the winter months. Rising temperatures are leading to a decline in winter sea ice cover annually, exerting a substantial influence on winter weather conditions in the region. However, the variability of weather conditions, which is expected to continue in the future, poses an additional challenge. The ILMERI project (Impacts of Climate Change on Maritime Transport, implemented between March 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026), conducted by the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences and funded by the European Regional Development Fund, studies the effects of changes in conditions caused by climate change on maritime transport in the Kymenlaakso region. This article presents a summary of the baseline situation, including a review of the region’s fairway system, marine transportation infrastructure, typical cargo types transported, and available climate data. This is significant because fairway and port solutions represent long-term investments, and any recommendations must be based on reliable data to prevent both over and under-preparedness for future challenges.
Modern port city areas face enormous opportunities due to their coastal location. The possibility of integrating water area into a city area highlights the issue of spatial planning. It is obvious that such locations allow for the development of industrial and port infrastructure. But the major question is how these areas should develop in terms of architecture and urban planning. The aim of the paper is to define the design parameters for maritime areas in the context of the modern city, as well as with regard to sustainable development of these structures. The analysis of modern port centres allows for indicating the directions of development in the pursuit of expansion into water areas. The scale of modern commercial and industrial structure may become dominant, and sometimes even limit the multidirectional development of the city. However, the key issue is how to design these areas in the future, also in relation to the social perspective.
Ports and cities have historically been strongly linked and developed in close association with each other. This study focuses on analysing the case of Tallinn Reidi Road. The methodology is based on tangible soft assets of ports based on framework Soft Values of Ports. The aim of this study is to clarify how cooperation between Port of Tallinn AS and the City of Tallinn, through the Reidi Road project, has influenced the visibility, perception, and integration of tangible soft values in port-city relationships. The case study demonstrates how different stakeholders assess and experience the multidimensional role of a port in society. Results indicate that the Port of Tallinn and the City of Tallinn acknowledge and value the significance of soft values. In addition, this study provides practical recommendations and suggestions that can help city and port officials, policy makers and urban planners to better understand and integrate soft values in future development projects. In particular, soft value initiatives should be incorporated by port authorities in cooperation with local authorities.
Romanian maritime ports play a pivotal role in the national and regional economy, acting as crucial logistical and commercial hubs in the Black Sea region. This study investigates the ongoing digital transformation of these ports, focusing on the shift from traditional fourth-generation ports to innovative smart ports. It examines the challenges, opportunities, and strategies employed in this transformation, emphasizing the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as automation, digitalization, and green innovations. In light of global trends in the logistics sector, alongside the increasing demand for efficiency, sustainability, and resilience, the research highlights how these advancements contribute to enhancing the operational performance of Romanian ports. Furthermore, the study explores the broader implications of this transition on the global logistics ecosystem, analyzing its potential to improve connectivity, reduce environmental impact, and stimulate economic growth. By evaluating the evolution of Romanian maritime ports over the past two decades, the study offers strategic insights into how these ports can evolve into intelligent, sustainable transport hubs capable of meeting the future demands of a globalized and environmentally conscious supply chain.
Port cities are critical nodes in global trade but face unique transport challenges issuing from their dual role as urban centres and maritime hubs. These challenges include congestion, pollution, and governance complexities, which intensify as global trade grows. Traffic bottlenecks caused by overlapping freight and urban mobility systems disrupt efficiency and elevate environmental and social concerns. Heavy-duty vehicles contribute significantly to CO2 emissions, while outdated infrastructure in older port cities exacerbates these issues. Technological innovations such as real-time traffic monitoring, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital twins, are transforming how port cities manage logistics and reduce environmental impact. Green transport initiatives, including electric vehicles, intermodal hubs and clean energy systems, demonstrate the potential to reduce emissions and improve urban liveability. Collaborative efforts from governments like the EU-funded PORTIS project showcase how aligning the objectives of port authorities and urban planners can foster resilient, sustainable systems. This paper reviews innovative approaches to addressing transport challenges in port cities, emphasizing sustainable and technological solutions that integrate urban and port operations. The future of port cities lies in adopting integrated approaches that balance economic, environmental and social priorities, ensuring their evolution into efficient, sustainable hubs for global trade and urban life.
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